1. What preparations were made for the attack on Gallipoli?
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2. Presentation objectives
To examine the effectiveness of the Allied preparations for the Gallipoli campaign.
To be familiar with the key personnel relating to the Gallipoli campaign.
To understand the initial attacks launched on Gallipoli in March 1915.
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3. The Hemel Hempstead School - History Department
Liman von Sanders [ ]
A senior German officer who was sent to Turkey in 1913 to lead Germany’s military mission there.
During 1914, von Sanders was responsible for the reorganisation of the Turkish forces.
In 1915, he became the commander of the Turkish Fifth Army – the largest force in the Ottoman Empire with 84,000 men.
During 1915, von Sanders was responsible for the organisation of the Turkish defences at Gallipoli against the Allied landings.
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4. The Hemel Hempstead School - History Department
Sir Ian Hamilton [ ]
An extremely respected officer who had a long and successful army career before Gallipoli.
Was Commander in Chief of the British forces in the Mediterranean from 1910.
Was roundly criticised for his rigid tactics in the Gallipoli campaign and was sacked in October 1915 ending his military career.
Appointed in 1915 to command the force which was ordered to seize control of the Dardanelles Straits.
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5. The Hemel Hempstead School - History Department
Kemal Ataturk [ ]
A Turkish army officer who became the first President of the Republic of Turkey.
Promoted to the rank of colonel in 1915, Kemal played a critical role in the defeat of the Allied troops in Gallipoli.
Kemal became a hero to the Turkish after Gallipoli, the campaign which made his name.
Was famous for his chivalry in victory and his words are inscribed on an Australian memorial to the fallen at Gallipoli.
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6. Ataturk’s words on ANZAC parade
Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... you are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets where they lie side by side here in this country of ours... You the mothers who sent their sons from far away countries, wipe away your tears. Your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace. Having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.
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7. How did the Allies prepare their soldiers for the Gallipoli campaign?
Lord Kitchener decided that much of the Allied troops which would make up the land force would be from Australia and New Zealand.
Of the 75,000 Allied soldiers at Gallipoli, 50,000 were ANZAC’s – the name given to the Australian and New Zealand Corps.
ANZAC troops had been stationed in Egypt to complete their training en route to Europe. Kitchener decided that these troops could be deployed rapidly to the Gallipoli campaign as they were the closest Allied soldiers to Gallipoli.
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8. What were the key characteristics of the ANZAC troops?
The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. [ANZACs] were amongst the toughest and bravest Allied troops.
The New Zealanders were better trained than the Australians.
They were hugely confident. In fact, the Allied troops were over-confident as they underestimated the Turks. Churchill thought the campaign could be achieved in three weeks.
ANZACs were notorious for their casual attitude towards authority.
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9. Why did the initial attacks on Gallipoli fail?
The initial Allied attack on Gallipoli was made by the Navy. The first attacks took place in the latter half of February 1915 with unsuccessful bombardments of the Turkish forts and defences of the area.
This attack was stopped by the mine fields laid by the Turks. Three battleships were sunk and 700 men were killed. The attack achieved nothing other than put the Turks on alert for a land attack.
Vice-Admiral Robeck ordered a massive fleet of 18 battleships to attack the Dardenelles on 18th March 1915.
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10. What preparations were made for the Gallipoli landings of April 1915?
The British decided that any naval attack would only be successful if a successful land attack was made to knock out the Turkish defences.
The British preparations were hesitant and indecisive. This gave the Turks ample time to prepare for the defence of Gallipoli.
From late March 1915, the British put together a force of 75,000 men [mainly ANZACs] ready for a land attack. Kitchener was advised that to make a successful ground attack 150,000 men were needed. Kitchener did not listen to the advice.
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