KQ2.3: Gallipoli Campaign

Gallipoli Campaign

Who were the ‘Easterners’?

Supporters in favour of attacking Turkey for victory

Why was the Gallipoli Campaign launched?

• Turkey’s alliance with Germany

• If Turkey was attacked, Germany would have to transfer troops to help Turkey

• Beliefs that if Constantinople was captured, it would cause the collapse of the weak Ottoman Empire

• Victory would allow Russia to export goods, and import needed war materials

What is the Dardanelles?

A strait (long narrow sea passage) that had to be passed through to get to Constantinople

What did all pre-war plans emphasise?

The need for secrecy and surprise to invade

Winston Churchill insisted that?

A purely naval assault to be tried first, due to the lack of troops (most fighting Germany in Belgium and France)

When did the first ships ‘invade’ and what happened after?

Nov 1914, the Turks’ German Commander quickly gave them more soldiers and stronger defenses, also laid mines in the strait. They had lots of time to do this as Churchill wasn’t in a hurry

When was the full naval attack and what happened after?

Feb & Mar 1915, the vital element of surprise now lost (not good)

The Greeks (neutral) offered 3 divisions (commiting to war on Allied side). Why didn’t the deal go through?

Russia rejected the idea due to their own political reasons

When did the Gallipoli Campaign start?

25 April 1915 (ANZAC Day)

Where were the 39k ANZAC troops placed?

Ari Burnu (ANZAC Cove)

Strong sea currents swept ANZAC’s troops 2-3km away from the intended place. What did this lead to?

• ANZACs facing steep cliffs instead of sloping beach

• Turks having easy line of fire due to cliffs

  • Compensates being outnumbered 3:1

The ANZACs were inexperienced. What did this cause?

• Nearly led to disaster and defeat on the first day

• Whole campaign badly planned and under-equipped

• ANZAC commanders making poor decisions

Why were the ANZACs so inexperienced?

They were forced into a new situation they never experienced, and their training and preparation was bad

Who led the Turks and what did he do?

Mustafa Kemal, he disobeyed his superior’s orders and attacked the ANZACs before they could organise themselves

Why were the Turks so determined to win?

They thought of the situation as foreigners invading their land

What was life like in the trenches at Gallipoli?

• Until Aug 1915, the 40k ANZACS were crammed into a small area of ~160ha

• Turks had the high ground, sea behind ANZACS

• Rats, flies, sickness, snipers, lack of medicine, food, water made life bad

• All supplies came by sea, dangerous getting boats past

In the heat, men were limited to how much water per day?

½ litre per day

It was dangerous getting the wounded out. What did this lead to?

Many soldiers dead on the beach waiting for evacuation

In August, after vicious fighting, NZ troops took over what?

Chunuk Bair (Basin Slope)

Why wasn’t there more troops sent to help NZ?

Chaos from the other battles at the time

Near the end, NZers lost?

Most of their fighting strength and morale was low

When did Gallipoli end?

20 Dec 1915 (8 months after start)

Ironically, the most successful operation was?

The secret evacuation of Allied troops, with only 4 men wounded