gallipoli april 25, 1915-january 9, 1916 strategic context in october 1914, turkey enters world war...

GallipoliApril 25, 1915-January 9, 1916

Strategic ContextIn October 1914, Turkey enters World War I on the side of Germany and Austria-Hungary against the Allied coalition of Britain, France, Russia and Serbia. The immediate result is the closing of the Dardanelles Straights through which aid to Russia flows. Britain and France, experiencing heavy casualties with little success against Germany on the Western Front, begin to consider options to outflank the enemy strategically, such as a offensive through the Balkans and Turkey. Allied admirals claim that Allied battleships can force the Dardanelles, thus reopening supply lines to Russia and bombarding the Turkish capital of Constantinople with their powerful guns. The Allied navies do not get an opportunity to test what sort of effect this may have as Turkish mines and coastal batteries repel the Allied fleet. The Allies thus plan an invasion of the Gallipoli peninsula proper under the command of Sir Ian Hamilton. However, the Allied naval attack forces the Turkish General Staff to reinforce its Gallipoli defenses; it activates a single army under Otto Liman von Sanders, an officer in Turkey as part of the German military mission.

Stakes+ A Turkish victory would maintain its blockade of Allied aid to Russia and rally support from non-committal Balkan states such as Greece and Bulgaria.

+ An Allied victory would reopen the Dardanelles and threaten Constantinople.

By Jonathan Webb, 2012

Allied Mediterranean Expeditionary Force

Well

Gallipoli, 1915-1916Strength

Turkish Fifth Army

Well

Otto Liman von Sanders

5 divisions or 75,000 (initial)15 divisions (eventual)

6 divisions or 60,000 (initial)17 divisions (eventual)

Sir Ian Hamilton


Europe c. 1915

The battlefield is a cramped peninsula: from Cape Helles to the northeast corner shown on the map is less than 45km, with the entire peninsula (some of it off map) being 80km in length. The width varies, the narrowest part being the Bulair Isthmus to the north (off map) at 5.5km wide, the widest being between Suvla Bay and the Dardanelle Straits at 19km wide. The battlefield has four series of hills, the most dominating being Sari Bair Ridge and the smaller, higher Chunuk Bair Ridge within it. Achi Baba Ridge is the most gradual but also includes many steep ravines. The Asiatic shore to the south is flatter and lower than the peninsula but still features wooded hills and steeper ridges further inland. The most suitable beaches for landings are around Cape Helles, just south of Gaba Tepe, Ariburnu/Anzac Cove, Suvla Bay, and at Kum Kale.

NN


(Hamilton)

Cape Helles

Eceabat

Gaba Tepe

Krithia

Suvla Bay

Kum Kale

Achi Baba Ridge Kiretch Tepe

Ridge

Dardanelle Straits

Ariburnu/Anzac Cove

Sari Bair Ridge

Kilid Bahr

Chanak

Sedd-el-Bahr

Mal Tepe

Kilid Bahr Ridge

Chunuk Bair Ridge

Anafarta Ridge

Turkish Fifth Army

(Sanders)

Aegean Sea

0 5 10 km

Hamilton plans feints at Saros Bay and Kum Kale, and landings at Cape Helles and Ariburnu/Anzac Cove. Both landing forces are to rapidly advance inland, supported by subsequent landings of troops. The 29th British Division is to land at various points around Cape Helles and capture Achi Baba Ridge in the initial attack, while the Australian-New Zealand (Anzac) Corps is to land at Ariburnu Cove and capture the highpoint Mal Tepe. Hamilton’s orders are somewhat vague however and do not explicitly state how the peninsula is to be cleared following the initial attack. 12 battleships and 18 cruisers are to cover the landings but their ammunition expenditure is severely restricted.

RNDRND

3rd3rd

NZANZA1st1st

1st1st2nd2nd

19th19th

42nd42nd

9th9th

11th11th 29th29th

Sanders is aware of an impending Allied attack but does not know where it will happen. The Turkish plan is thus to slow any Allied attacks by deploying light infantry screens on possible landing sites, and then conduct immediate counterattacks by stronger formations to eliminate the beachheads. Weber’s XV Corps, the 3rd and 11th Divisions, defend the Asiatic shores around Kum Kale. Esat Pasha’s III Corps defends the Gallipoli peninsula and more; the 9th Division defends the southern peninsula, 19th Division is held in corps reserve, and 7th Division defends the vital Bulair isthmus which links the peninsula to mainland Turkey, and 5th Division defends the Saros Bay beaches of mainland Turkey.

III Corps (Esat Pasha)

Anzac Corps (Birdwood)

XV Corps (Weber)

NN

Turkish Fifth Army

(Sanders)


(Hamilton)

The 29th British Division storms ashore at five separate beaches around Cape Helles. Met with a hail of fire upon landing, the British succeed in establishing a beachhead with sheer numbers (17,000 vs 3,800) despite local counterattacks as the 9 th Turkish Division reinforces the rear lines. The 1st French division lands at Kum Kale; the Turkish response is soft until Nicolai’s 3rd Turkish Division launches a costly, confused night attack. Having diverted coastal artillery fire away from the Helles landings, the 1 st French division disembarks to reinforce Helles. At Ariburnu Cove, shrapnel and rifle fire hits the Anzac forces as they land. Esat Pasha attaches the single defending regiment to Mustafa Kemals incoming 19th Division and designates him Ariburnu Group commander. Upon arrival, Mustafa Kemal launches a a coordinated bayonet counterattack. Stunned by this fierce attack, some Australian commanders urge evacuating the beachhead to which Hamilton replies, “dig, dig, dig.” The transports of the 63 rd British Division (RND) feint at Saros Bay before reinforcing the Anzac beachhead; Sanders is unmoved by this feint and sends the 7 th Division south.

1st1st

Sanders reinforces Mustafa Kemal’s front with regiments from XV Corps’ divisions and orders an attack to destroy the Anzac beachhead. The morning April 27, the over-sized Turkish 19th Division attacks but Allied naval gunfire smashes its tired troops. Mustafa Kemal calls off the attack and commits every regiment in a night attack, but this degenerates into uncoordinated engagements and collapses. Knowing that the Turks can reinforce their defences by land faster than he can by sea, Hamilton realizes the need to attack and orders an attack all along the line at Helles to capture Krithia the morning April 28. Lacking sufficient artillery and ammunition, the Allied attack fails as Halil Sami, 9th Division commanders, commits his reserves, which suffer greatly from Allied naval gunfire moving forward. Oddly, Hamilton does not explicitly request reinforcements despite the initial attack’s clear failure; only two divisions are on their way to the peninsula. By April 30, three new Turkish divisions arrive in the peninsula: 7 th and 15th heading towards Helles, 5th towards Ariburnu. Esat Pasha organizes the divisions at Helles into Southern Group under Soderstern.

April 24: Turkish

deployment/Allied plans

April 25-26:Helles/Anzac

landings

April 27-30:Ariburnu counterattack/1st Battle of

Krithia

Perceiving the Allies at Helles to be weakened after their failed attack, yet concerned by the powerful naval guns, Sanders orders a night bayonet attack all along the line there. The May 1/2 attack is able to overcome the frontline but thrown back by counterattacking reserves. The Turkish attack nearly breaks through the French, now designated the Corps d’Expéditionnaire d’Orient (CEO). Fierce Allied follow-on counterattacks gain no ground, shattering some units. Sodernstern attempts another night attack May 3/4, including the fresh 15th Division. The 15th Division penetrates deep into the French sector but due to damaged telephone lines, Sodernstern is unaware of its success and orders a retreat; his failure here prompts Sanders to replace him with Weber. Mustafa Kemal also launches a night attack May 1/2 with the fresh 5 th Division but it falters against alert Australian machine guns and naval gunfire making use of spotlights.

May 1-5Helles night attacks/Ariburnu

counterattack

Southern Group (Sodernstern)

Ariburnu Group (Kemal)

Strengthened by Anzac reserves and a brigade from the incoming 42nd British Division, Hamilton orders Hunter-Weston to capture Krithia; Hunter-Weston plans to focus on the Turkish right wing and capture Krithia from the west. Although the Allies possess many more guns than the previous attempt, ammunition is still insufficient and lack of intelligence means they have few targets to aim for. Over the next three days, three Allied frontal assaults fail miserably against well-concealed Turkish machine guns, despite a preponderance of numbers (25,000 vs 10,000). Only the French succeed in even drawing in any Turkish reserves. Weber’s Chief of Staff Thauvenay urges a withdrawal but both Weber and Sanders recognize Southern Group is not seriously threatened.

May 6-8:2nd Battle of

Krithia

During the lull, Hamilton requests four more divisions and increased supply of shell to maintain the Allied position and possibly capture the peninsula. Meanwhile, the RND, 42nd British Division and 2nd French division settle into the Helles lines. The Turkish forces are significantly reinforced on all fronts: the 12 th Division relieves the 7th Division in the south while the 2nd and 16th Divisions reinforce the north. Sanders appoints Esat Pasha command of the new Northern Group, Mustafa Kemal reverting to commanding the 19th Division. Esat Pasha correctly alerts Sanders that the Allied attacks in the south have weakened the Anzac perimeter and so a massive four-division attack to erase the Anzac beachhead is planned. Also during this period, a Turkish destroyer takes advantage of thick fog, torpedoing and sinking the British battleship Goliath. Making matters worse, the Allied admiralty receives reports of incoming German submarines, prompting the withdrawal of five battleships.

May 9-17:Stabilization

RNDRND

Esat Pasha masses 42,000 troops against 17,000 Anzacs. Fortunately for the Anzacs, British naval aircraft spot concentrations of Turks before the May 18/19 night attack, and are thus fully prepared to meet them. The Turks’ high morale is no match for the Anzac machine guns, and the attack collapses almost immediately. Esat Pasha renews the attack along the front in the morning but this too fails with severe losses. Sanders orders Esat Pasha to stay on the defensive for the foreseeable future. On the Allied side, Birdwood urgently requests a few brigades from Helles to counterattack the shattered Turkish units, which Hamilton declines.

May 18-19:Northern Group

attack

The 2nd Turkish Division is so shattered that Sanders takes it out of line and into army reserve. Sanders also orders the 11th Division to begin the trek to the peninsula from Kum Kale. When Nicolai, 3rd Division commander, complains that the area is too weak, Sanders orders the 1st Division there. At Anzac, the stench of rotting corpses from the failed Turkish attack is so unbearable that the two sides agree to a truce to remove them which goes ahead without incident May 24. Also during this time, German submarines arrive and sink the British battleships Triumph and Majestic, prompting the withdrawal of remaining Allied battleships. From now on, immediate fire support is to be provided only by destroyers, significantly reducing the morale and firepower of Allied units. Nonetheless, Hamilton plans yet another attack to capture Krithia.

May 20-June 3:

Stabilization

Northern Group (Esat Pasha)

Southern Group (Weber)

VIII Corps (Hunter-Weston)

CEO (Amade)

Asia Group (Mehmet Ali)

June 4-6:3rd Battle of

Krithia

At Helles, Hamilton masses 46,000 troops with 7,000 in reserve against 15,600 Turkish troops with 18,500 in reserve. At Anzac, the NZA Division launches a diversionary attack against Mustafa Kemal’s 19th Division, which promptly counterattacks. The French attack quickly falters. A RND bayonet assault forces Selahattin Adil’s 12 th Division to commit its reserve, but this ends the threat. The 42nd British Division’s attack in the center is most successful, penetrating deeply into the Turkish line. Rather than reinforce this success, Hunter-Weston uses his corps reserves to reinforce the flanks which have little effect against the unbroken Turkish lines. Regardless of this tactical blunder, none of Weber’s reserves are yet committed to the battle. Weber orders the 9 th Division to counterattack the night June 5/6; it seizes the British frontline and a few machine guns before being counterattacked in turn, thus stabilizing the line.

Symbol guide

Subordinates

SubordinatesCasualties

Kum Kale landing, April 25-26: 1,735 Turks 786 Allies

Helles landing, April 25-26: 636 Turks 3,800 Allies

Anzac landing, April 25-26: ~3,000 Turks ~3,000 Allies

Casualties

1st Battle of Krithia, April 28: ~2,378 Turks 3,000 Allies

Casualties

Helles night attacks, May 1-4: 10,000 Turks ~3,000 Allies

Ariburnu counterattack, April 27-May 1: 6,000 Turks ~5,300 Allies

Casualties

2nd Battle of Krithia, May 6-8: 2,000 Turks ~6,000 Allies

Casualties

Northern Group attack, May 18-19: 9,970 Turks 628 Allies

Casualties

3rd Battle of Krithia, June 4-6: 5,017 Turks 6,500 Allies

CEO

(Gouraud)

Landmarks

Cape Helles

Eceabat

Gaba Tepe

Krithia

Suvla Bay

Kum Kale


Ridge

Dardanelle Straits

Ariburnu/Anzac Cove

Sari Bair Ridge

Kilid Bahr

Chanak

Sedd-el-Bahr

Mal Tepe

Kilid Bahr Ridge

Chunuk Bair Ridge

Anafarta Ridge

Aegean Sea

0 5 10 km

2nd2nd

3rd3rd

5th5th

NZANZA1st1st

2nd2nd

12th12th

15th15th

19th19th

42nd42nd

7th7th

9th9th

11th11th

16th16th

29th29th

52nd52nd

Sanders uses this lull in combat to reorganize his forces. Sanders pulls the 9th Division back to army reserve after 44 days of combat while sending the 2nd and 11th Divisions to Southern Group. The night June 11/12, Weber daringly relieves the 9th and 12th Divisions with the 2nd, 7th, and 11th Divisions simultaneously under great secrecy. Sanders also receives word that two more divisions will be available for the peninsula in coming weeks. On the Allied side, Hamilton receives word that no less than five divisions are to arrive on the peninsula next month for a decisive stroke. For now, Hunter-Weston and Gourard decide together to avoid attacks too large to be properly covered by heavy artillery fire. Hunter-Weston loans Gourard much of his heavy artillery to soften up the 2nd Turkish Division days before a planned experimental attack with this new doctrine.

ANZAC Corps (Birdwood)

Turkish Fifth Army

(Sanders)

1st1st

RNDRND

Southern Group (Weber)

VIII Corps (Hunter-Weston)

CEO

(Gourard)


June 7-20: Stabilizatio

n

June 21-25:1st Battle of Kereves

Dere (Hill 83)

Hunter-Weston and Gourard’s first experiment involves the modest goal of capturing Hill 83 and two redoubts along a narrow front in the French sector. Following an intensification of an ongoing artillery barrage – 20 times the concentration as the most recent attack – the French attack June 21. Hasan Askeri’s 2nd Division maintains control of Hill 83 throughout the battle and is able to counterattack. A less fierce French attack occurs June 23 but the battle winds down with the French still holding a few Turkish trenches on Hill 83. While this is not a complete success, the French succeed in inflicting many more casualties than they suffer

June 26-27:

Stabilization

While losing only a few trenches, the Turks suffer heavily during the French attack, forcing Weber to relieve the 2nd Division with the relatively fresh 12th Division. Fortunately, the 1st and 6th Divisions are also en route to Southern Group. Meanwhile, Hunter-Weston and Gourard transfer their heavy artillery to the British sector in preparation for another modest attack.

June 28-July 3:Battle of Gully Ravine,

part I

The British attack front is much wider than the earlier French attack and thus the concentration of artillery, so effective then, is greatly reduced. The 29 th British Division, strengthened by an Indian brigade and another from the incoming 52nd British Division, attacks the 11th Turkish Division the morning June 28; its commander, Rafet, violently counterattacks with Southern Group’s immediate reserves. The British attack is most successful on the left, where most of the heavy artillery is positioned, and establishes a deep salient. Sanders orders Weber to eliminate this salient as it threatens the Turkish right flank. Weber appoints Faik to lead an attack force, comprised of the 1 st, 11th and elements of 6th Divisions; Faik attacks ineffectually June 29-July 3. Witnessing lack of success, Sanders orders Mehmet Ali, his staff, along with the 3 rd and 5th Divisions to Southern Group, in addition to the 4th Division which is already en route.

July 4-5: Battle of Gully Ravine,

part II

The Turkish 1st and 11th Divisions, incapable of further attacks, make way for the 3rd and 5th Divisions, over 13,500 well-rested troops. Under Mehmet Ali, these divisions attack with bayonet the night July 4/5 following a short, apparently ineffective, artillery barrage. The Turks seize the British first line but at excessive cost. Hunter-Weston sends in reserves standing by, which retake these trenches. Mehmet Ali sends in what reserves he has but they cannot salvage the situation as the Turkish 3rd and 5th Divisions retreat through 1st Division lines under heavy machine gun fire. The Turkish attack fails with horrendous casualties.

July 6-11:Stabilization

Perceived to be tired and dispirited, Weber is relieved in favour of Vehip Pasha. Also in Southern Group, the 8th and 10th Divisions arrive to replace the 3rd and 5th Divisions, which return to their original dispositions before the disastrous counterattack. Meanwhile, the 13th and 14th Divisions also arrive on the peninsula. On the Allied side, the rest of the 52nd British Division arrives, its commander angered by the way its vanguard brigade was sacrificed in the previous attack. Nonetheless, Hunter-Weston selects the 52nd British Division to take part in the next attack.

2nd2nd

Southern Group (Vehip Pasha)

Hunter-Weston and Gourard once again transfer their heavy artillery back to the French sector where the 52nd British Division and two French divisions are to attack; their objective is to seize Turkish positions along the eastern shore flank. The initial bombardment effectively destroys the frontline Turkish trench system but the Allied troops inevitably run into untouched Turkish positions and troops. The Turkish 4th and 7th Divisions counterattack and recapture lost trenches. Vehip Pasha plans to counterattack with the 6th Division but the Allied attack peters out.

July 12-13:2nd Battle of Kereves

Dere(Achi Baba Nullah)Casualties

1st Battle of Kereves Dere, June 21-25: 5,800 Turks 2,500 Allies

(Hill 83)

CasualtiesBattle of Gully Ravine, June 28-July 5: 16,000 Turks 5,000 Allies Casualties2nd Battle of Kereves Dere, July 12-13: 5,000 Turks 4,000 Allies (Achi Baba Nullah)


(Hamilton)

Subordinates


NN

Symbol guide

Landmarks

Cape Helles

Eceabat

Gaba Tepe

Krithia

Suvla Bay

Kum Kale


Ridge

Dardanelle Straits

Ariburnu/Anzac Cove

Sari Bair Ridge

Kilid Bahr

Chanak

Sedd-el-Bahr

Mal Tepe

Kilid Bahr Ridge

Chunuk Bair Ridge

Anafarta Ridge

Aegean Sea

Subordinates

0 5 10 km

54th54th

3rd3rd

4th4th

5th5th

NZANZA1st1st

2nd2nd8th8th

10th10th

13th13th

19th19th

42nd42nd

9th9th

10th10th

11th11th

13th13th

14th14th

16th16th

29th29th

52nd52nd

Turkish intelligence is aware of an impending Allied landing, estimating it will be directed against Saros Bay or Bulair isthmus. Meanwhile, Sanders’ group commanders Mehmet Ali and Esat Pasha are convinced it will occur in their respective sectors. Virtually all fronts are instructed to rehearse maneuvers in the event of a landing; three divisions guard Kum Kale, six at Helles (two of which are stationed to the rear flanks), three at Anzac, and three at Saros Bay. Abandoning their relative successful “bite and hold” strategy, the Allies actually intend to land at Suvla Bay with IX Corps under Stopford north of the Anzac position while Birdwood’s Anzac Corps hits the enemy right with outflanking marches through rough terrain largely defended by isolated outposts; the 13 th British Division is landed to undertake this maneuver. At Helles, diversionary attacks are planned to pin down Turkish reserves. The objective of this series of attacks is Sari Bair Ridge, the capture of which would make the Turkish position at Anzac untenable.


Turkish Fifth Army

(Sanders)

1st1st

RNDRND


VIII Corps (Davies)

CEO (Amade)


1st1st

2nd2nd


July 14-August 5:

Stabilization

August 6-7 witness major diversionary Allied attacks at Helles, although fighting continues, characterized by the struggle around a vineyard. These attacks prove costly and do not prevent Sanders from ordering Southern Group’s reserve divisions north to meet the main attack at Anzac. Anzac attacks begin with an attack by the 1 st Australian and NZA Divisions, resulting in costly counterattacks by Northern Group to regain trenches. Esat Pasha quickly responds by ordering the 9 th Division north; this division arrives in line on Sari Bair in time to block the 13th British Division’s outflanking march over Chunuk Bair. Godley, 13 th British Division commander, continues the attack August 8 but is repulsed. At Suvla, the British 11th and 10th Divisions land August 6 and 7 respectively; Stopford does not urgently push these divisions forward as his 27,000 troops are slowed down by 3,000 Turks. During this time, Sanders forced marches the 7 th and 12th Divisions from Saros Bay but they arrive exhausted. Recognizing the critical nature of the Allied attacks in the north, Sanders places the five northernmost divisions under control of Mustafa Kemal’s Anafarta Group.

August 6-8:

Battle of Krithia Vineyard/Anzac breakout/ Suvla

landings

11th11th

August 9-10:1st Anafarta

Battles

Sporadic fighting continues at Helles and Sari Bair as Mustafa Kemal launches a multidivisional counterattack. August 9, the 12th Turkish Division advances to contact on a wide front, collides with the 11th British Division and drives it back; the 7th Turkish Division meanwhile drives back strongly held positions of the northern flank of the 13th British Division. The rest of the 13th British Division launches its final attack to capture Chunuk Bair the evening August 9, which fails. The morning August 10, Mustafa Kemal personally directs a counterattack by the 8th Division, driving back the British and ending the threat to Sari Bair Ridge albeit at high cost. At Suvla, the 10th British Division pushes slowly along Kiretch Tepe Ridge. The 53rd British Division also lands during this period.

53rd53rd

Hamilton, dissatisfied with the progress at Suvla, prods Stopford to launch offensive operations. August 12, Stopford orders the newly-landed 54th British Division to seize Tekke Teppe, a ridge along Anafarta Ridge; the attack is supported by the 11th British Division. Lacking accurate intelligence regarding terrain and Turkish positions, the British are mowed down. August 15, Stopford orders the 10th British Division to break through Turkish lines along Kiretch Tepe. The attack makes some progress but the just-arrived 5th Turkish Division counterattacks and reoccupies their lost positions.

August 11-16:

Battles of Tekke Tepe/ Kiretch Tepe

Ridge

IX Corps (Stopford)

Anafarta Group (Mustafa Kemal)

Casualties

Battle of Krithia Vineyard, August 6-13: 7,510 Turks ~8,000 Allies

Casualties

Anzac breakout/Suvla landings, August 6-10: 20,000 Turks 25,000 Allies /1st Anafarta BattlesCasualties

Battle of Tekke Tepe, August 12: ? ?

Battle of Kiretch Tepe, August 15: 1,651 Turks 2,000 Allies


(Hamilton)

Subordinates

NN

Symbol guide

Landmarks

Cape Helles

Eceabat

Gaba Tepe

Krithia

Suvla Bay

Kum Kale


Ridge

Dardanelle Straits

Ariburnu/Anzac Cove

Sari Bair Ridge

Kilid Bahr

Chanak

Sedd-el-Bahr

Mal Tepe

Kilid Bahr Ridge

Chunuk Bair Ridge

Anafarta Ridge

Aegean Sea

Subordinates

0 5 10 km

54th54th

3rd3rd

4th4th

5th5thNZANZA

1st1st

2nd2nd

2nd2nd

6th6th

8th8th

10th10th

12th12th

13th13th

19th19th

42nd42nd

7th7th

9th9th

10th10th

11th11th

13th13th

14th14th

16th16th

29th29th

52nd52nd


Turkish Fifth Army

(Sanders)


(Hamilton)

1st1st

RNDRND


VIII Corps (Davies)

CEO (Amade)


1st1st

2nd2nd


11th11th

53rd53rd

August 17-20:

Stabilization

During the short lull, two Turkish divisions arrive at Saros Bay, freeing Sanders to bring the 6th Division to Anafarta Group. Meanwhile, Hamilton sacks Stopford in favour of De Lisle, who is tasked with planning another major offensive. Hamilton lands the 2nd British (Dis)mounted Division at Suvla to take part in this offensive.

IX Corps (De Lisle)

2nd

2nd

August 21-28:

2nd Anafarta Battles (Battles of Scimitar Hill/Hill

60)

De Lisle’s limited objective is to capture a few Turkish-held highpoints to be better prepared to assault Anafarta Ridge in the future. August 21, de Lisle launches the 11th and 29th British Divisions against the 7th and 12th Turkish Divisions; Mustafa Kemal immediately orders the 9th Division from reserve to support the 12th Division, and the 6th Division from the rear to reserve. The Turks repel the initial British attack with heavy loss; de Lisle responds by sending the 2nd British (Dis)mounted Division forward through the disordered 29th Division to support the attack. Combat is fierce as the 12th Turkish Division launches a dawn counterattack. August 27, a portion of the 11th British Division renews the attack, which makes some progress, but is violently counterattacked throughout the following night.

Anafarta Group (Mustafa Kemal)

August 29-October 21:

Allied draw-down

While Allied debate regarding the conduct and feasibility of the campaign began before the actual landings, Serbia’s defeat and Bulgaria’s entry into the war force Hamilton to send two divisions to Salonika to ensure Greek support for the Allied cause, only receiving the 2nd Australian Division in compensation. These regional events also force the Allies to seriously reconsider their Balkan strategy, especially in relation to Gallipoli. Overall, the campaign is not going well while the Turkish positions and resolve remain strong. While no final decision is reached during this period, the Allied force is significantly drawn down. On the Turkish side, numerous fresh divisions relieve exhausted divisions.

13th13th

October 22-December 10:

Stabilization

Allied high command replaces Hamilton with Monro, an able army commander from the Western Front. With Serbia’s defeat and Bulgaria’s belligerency, a railway line between Germany and Turkey is reopened, allowing Germany to send heavy mortars and howitzers to Turkey, large supplies of shell, and German specialists to train Turkish gunners in the newest tactics. Allied morale drops immediately following their experience with these new artillery and tactics at Anafarta and Helles November 20. This artillery, the overall poor Allied position at Gallipoli and the Balkans, and severe Mediterranean storms wrecking havoc with logistics, contribute to the decision made December 7 to evacuate the peninsula. Anzac/Suvla is to be evacuated first, followed by Helles. On the Turkish side, Fevzi Pasha becomes Anafarta Group commander when Mustafa Kemal falls ill.

IX Corps (Byng)

Northern Group (Ali Raza) Anafarta Group

(Fevzi Pashal)


(Monro)December 11-24:

Anzac/Suvla evacuation

In the nights leading up to the Anzac/Suvla evacuation, men and equipment are secretly withdrawn from the front lines little by little until only 20,000 remain by December 19/20. Naval bombardments and the detonation of mines contribute to the Turkish belief that an Allied attack is imminent when in fact, the Allied troops are evacuating. Low-level methods such as automatic rifles designed to fire periodically long after troops have left, also help conceal the evacuation. Turkish patrols discover deserted Allied lines the morning December 20. Pleasantly surprised by the evacuation’s success, Allied high command decides to evacuate Helles sooner rather than later.

December 25-January 9:

Helles evacuation

As the Allies work to mimic the preparations for the Helles evacuation, Sanders works on a plan to annihilate the Allied force as it evacuates; he thus brings the 12th Division south for assault training. Lavishly supported by artillery, the 12th Division attacks January 7 but the 13th British Division easily repels the Turkish attack with the aid of naval gunfire. The night January 8/9, the Allies destroy all remaining livestock and vehicles, and withdraw to the beaches. Some minor skirmishes occur as small Turkish units cautiously advance, but the Allies escape unscathed.

29th29th

13th13th

Subordinates

Casualties

2nd Anafarta Battles, August 21-28: 2,598 Turks 10,000 Allies

Southern Group (Cevat)

CEO (Sarrail)

NN

Symbol guide

Landmarks

Cape Helles

Eceabat

Gaba Tepe

Krithia

Suvla Bay

Kum Kale


Ridge

Dardanelle Straits

Ariburnu/Anzac Cove

Sari Bair Ridge

Kilid Bahr

Chanak

Sedd-el-Bahr

Mal Tepe

Kilid Bahr Ridge

Chunuk Bair Ridge

Anafarta Ridge

Aegean Sea

Subordinates

0 5 10 km

Gallipoli, 1915-1916Casualties & Aftermath

Turkish Fifth Army:Allied Mediterranean Expeditionary Force:

229,000 252,000


The Gallipoli campaign trained Turkish commanders and units in modern warfare tactics. Upon the Allied evacuation, these seasoned Turkish divisions were sent to the Caucasus and Middle East to fight the Russians and British respectively. The Allies meanwhile diverted their attention and resources to the Salonika front to maintain a foothold in the Balkans. The Turks suffered heavily in the face of the Russian Erzerum offensive in February 1916, but surrounded and captured a British army in Mesopotamia at the Battle of Kut in April 1916. The Turkish strategic position deteriorated steadily thereafter however. The British defeated the Turks in Palestine at the Battle of Beersheba October 1917 and Megiddo September 1918. The Allied Vardar offensive in September 1918, launched from the Salonika front, defeated Bulgaria, thus threatening Constantinople. It is this final defeat which ensured Turkey’s capitulation despite maintaining command and control over 28 intact divisions.

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps

http://www.theartofbattle.com


gallipoli april 25, 1915-january 9, 1916 strategic context in october 1914, turkey enters world war...

Documents