Pinned down with their backs to the water the Australians were unable to make much headway against the home-country force. ... While political leaders argued, the Australian soldiers died in battle, from sniper fire and shelling, and those that lived suffered from a range of ailments due to their dreadful living conditions - typhus, lice, gangrene, lack of fresh water, poor quality food, and poor sanitary conditions all took their toll. ...

• Word Count: 998
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School