Gallipoli

The landing… On the 25 th April 1915 Australian troops landed on the Gallipoli peninsula. The aim was to take control of the Dardanelles Strait, then the capital of Turkey (Germany’s ally) Contantinople, so supply ships could support Russia against Germany.

The Gallipoli Peninsula map courtesy of Department of Public Information – Army

“ Very early on the morning of 25 April 1915, long before sunrise, the Anzacs were getting ready to go into battle. They had sailed from Egypt, and now lay off the coast of Turkey in the darkness. They quietly climbed down rope ladders and stepped into small row boats. These were then towed as close as possible to the beach before the men rowed the last part to the shore. They had practised this many times. But they were still very nervous. They didn’t know if the Turkish soldiers would be awake, or how many there were. All they knew was that once ashore, they had to go inland, as far from the beach as possible, and make room for more men to land behind them. That was the plan.” Adapted from the book, “Don’t Forget me Cobber!” by Matt Anderson and reproduced in Gallipoli The ANZACs’ Day – 25 April 1915 in

The 10th Battalion in formation on the deck of HMS Prince of Wales, 24 April The battleship is leaving Mudros Harbour on its way to the Gallipoli landings. (AWM A01829)

The terrain “The Australians found themselves facing an almost perpendicular cliff of loose sandstone, covered with thick shrubbery. Somewhere, half-way up, the enemy had a second trench strongly held, from which they poured a terrible fire on the troops below.” Ashmead-Bartlett – the first report in Australia of the landing at Gallipoli – reprinted from Melbourne Argus, 8 May Image: a view from the sea of Sphinx or Sari Bair overlooking the landing site in Gallipoli and the ANZACs, Australian Government, DVA,

Anzac, the landing 1915 by George Lambert Australian War Memorial, Art –

Major battles Lone Pine – Australians had to attack Turkish trenches to draw Turkish troops into battle while other troops landed elsewhere. Trenches were heavily covered by pine logs as a roof protecting it. The Nek – The film Gallipoli – lighthorsemen. 243 dead in the size of a tennis court.

The Charge of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade at the Nek, 7 August 1915 Australian War Memorial ART 07965

Conditions On a small strip of beach and under enemy fire, medical facilities, cooking facilities for 1000s of men and provision of water and sewerage all had to be set up.

New Zealand Soldiers dragging a water tank up the hill from Anzac Cove. Australian War Memorial C01812.

Unidentified Australian and New Zealand Soldiers in a trench in Gallipoli - AWM C03420 NZ soldiers resting in the trenches. AWM G01217

Stretcher bearers carrying wounded at Anzac AWM C01761

Improvised weapons Above: Australian Soldiers using a periscope to direct a sniper. Right: making bombs from jam tins. Australian War Memorial A05767 and G00267 respectively.

The Evacuation In 8 months, never advanced beyond where they landed the first day. They left behind dead, including 8141 Australians and 2431 New Zealanders.

To trick the Turks into thinking they were still there, they lit fires and set up delayed action rifles. AWM G01291

Evacuation Williams Pier, North Beach, Gallipoli, December 1915 Australian War Memorial C01621

An Australian officer visits a comrade's grave on Gallipoli AWM G00419

References Anderson, Matt. “Don’t Forget me Cobber” adapted from The ANZACs’ Day – 25 April 1915, ANZAC Day, October Australian War Memorial, Photos and art from Bedson, Cathy et al. “Gallipoli” in Humanities Alive 4, 2 nd Edition, John Wiley and Sons, Milton, Department of Public Information, Map – Army, “First World War ” in Australian War Memorial, Gallipoli and the ANZACs, DVA, A Resource for Secondary Schools, Gallipoli and the ANZACs, Australian Government, DVA,