 The threat of the German Squadron neutralised , the convoy was able to continue its voyage unmolested . Upon their arrival in Egypt in November , the 1st Division moved to Camp Mena , near Cairo , where they were used to defend the Suez Canal against Turkey who had declared war on 29 October . During this time , the Australians commenced a period of training to prepare them for combat on the Western Front as it was still expected that they would be sent to England for deployment in the European theatre . As they waited , however , the Australian and New Zealand forces in Egypt at the time were formed into the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ( ANZAC ) under the command of Lieutenant General William Birdwood , and consisting of the Australian 1st Division and the composite New Zealand and Australian Division ( NZ & A ) . 
