Note on the Gallipoli Campaign

Page 1: Bulair Naval Attack

• Background of the Naval Attack

  • Allies attempted to force their way through the Dardanelles before Anzacs arrived at Gallipoli.

  • 18 warships were sent to attack Turkish forts.

  • Winston Churchill proposed the naval attack to support Russia against Germany.

• Initial Strategy

  • The plan was to use the British Navy to send supplies to Russia, forcing Germany to divert troops.

  • The goal was to attack Constantinople, leading to a potential Turkish surrender.

• Turkish Defense

  • Turks fortified their defenses, laid minefields, and prepared for the attack.

  • The naval attack began in February 1915 but faced significant challenges.

• Results of the Naval Attack

  • On March 18, 1915, a fleet of 18 warships faced disaster, with three sinking and three disabled.

  • The attack was called off, boosting Turkish morale despite their ammunition depletion.

Page 2: Plan for Land Attack

• Decision to Send an Army

  • British War leaders decided to send an army to capture Gallipoli.

  • New Zealand and Australian soldiers were included in the plan.

• Preparation for Landing

  • General Sir Ian Hamilton was in charge, criticized later for his leadership.

  • The landing was planned for April 23 but delayed to April 25 due to weather.

• Landing Strategy

  • Troops were to land at multiple beaches, with diversions to mislead Turkish forces.

  • The Royal Naval Division created a distraction at Bulair.

Page 3: The Landing on April 25

• Execution of the Landing

  • Anzacs began boarding warships on April 24, 1915.

  • Landings commenced after midnight, with staggered arrivals of Australian and New Zealand troops.

• Challenges Faced

  • Turkish machine guns opened fire as soldiers landed, leading to heavy casualties.

  • The landing did not go as planned, with leaders considering evacuation.

• Conditions on the Ground

  • The situation was dire, with many dead and wounded.

  • Anzacs faced harsh conditions, including cold weather and lack of food.

Page 4: Allied Landings

• Overview of Landings

  • Allied landings occurred at various locations, including Cape Helles and Kum Kale.

  • The landings were chaotic, with mixed-up groups and unexpected challenges.

Page 5: Immediate Results of the Landing

• Landing Mistakes

  • Anzacs landed in the wrong location, leading to difficult terrain.

  • Casualties were high, with New Zealand losses estimated at 600-700 on the first day.

• Environmental Impact

  • The area became a makeshift military base, with significant environmental degradation.

  • Supplies began to accumulate, but conditions remained harsh.

Page 6: The Turks

• Turkish Perspective

  • Turks faced an invasion from foreign soldiers, with mixed feelings about their rulers.

  • Mustafa Kemal Bey emerged as a key leader, inspiring Turkish troops.

• Turkish Army Conditions

  • The Turkish army faced shortages in supplies and morale challenges.

  • Despite difficulties, they maintained a reputation for fair fighting.

Page 7: The Anzac Area

• Reorganization of Troops

  • Anzac leaders reorganized landing groups for better coordination.

  • The area became known as Anzac Cove, a crucial military location.

• Living Conditions

  • The Anzac area was poorly developed, lacking infrastructure.

  • Troops built temporary facilities and faced constant danger from enemy fire.

Page 8: Anzac's Significance

• Cultural Impact

  • Anzac Cove became a symbol of bravery and sacrifice for New Zealand and Australia.

  • The legacy of the Anzac landing continues to resonate in both nations.

Additional Notes

• Blog Updates

  • Regular updates on the events and perspectives of the Gallipoli campaign are encouraged.

• Research Tasks

  • Investigate the outcomes of the naval attack and the experiences of soldiers during the