It was created as a result of the reorganisation of headquarters when the second Mediterranean front opened at Salonika.

The Dardanelles Army was created to manage operations at Gallipoli while the Salonika Army managed operations at Salonika.

Both armies came under the direction of the MEF, which was also responsible for the defence of Egypt.

The Dardanelles Army was short-lived as, by the time of its creation, offensive operations at Gallipoli had ceased and plans for the evacuation were being made.

For most of its existence, the Army was commanded by Lieutenant General William Birdwood.