Wartime snapshot
On 25 April 1915, Australian, New Zealand and British forces landed on the Gallipoli peninsula while French troops launched a feint on the opposite shore at Kum Kale. This started an 8-month-long campaign to seize control of the Dardanelles strait and capture the Ottoman capital of Constantinople.
At dawn, the Australians and New Zealanders landed at a place that has since become known as Anzac Cove. It was named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who served there. Dashing across the beach and towards the cliffs above, the Anzacs fought to seize the high ground. Instead, they were forced to dig in and establish a fragile position on the slopes of the peninsula. Turkish forces fired on them from above, pinning them down and preventing them from reaching their objectives. The Anzacs sustained heavy casualties as they tried to gain ground in the face of dense scrub, steep ridges, narrow gullies and heavy Turkish resistance.
As the fierce fighting continued on land, an Australian submarine, HMAS AE2, became the first Allied vessel to penetrate the Dardanelles. Dodging minefields, searchlights, enemy patrols and shore batteries, AE2 reached the Sea of Marmara. Its crew had orders to disrupt enemy supply routes. Five days later, AE2 was discovered and attacked by an enemy torpedo boat. The submarine was scuttled. Its entire crew was captured, becoming prisoners of war.
Back at Gallipoli, the Allies had not secured their objectives against a determined Turkish defence. A stalemate began when neither the Allies nor the enemy could gain an advantage. Each side dug in to defend their positions. During this time, the troops lived in trenches and dugouts, suffering in awful conditions. They endured blistering heat, flies, inadequate sanitation and poor food, which increased misery and led to disease outbreaks. Each day, the men faced the danger of enemy snipers, shrapnel and raids on their trenches.
In August 1915, Allied forces renewed their attempt to break the stalemate. They launched a series of attacks to help achieve their initial objectives. In this offensive, the Australians fought in battles at places such as Lone Pine, the Nek, Hill 971 and Hill 60. Terrible casualties resulted from these attacks, often for very little gain. The August Offensives failed to break the stalemate.
By the end of 1915, as winter closed in and the Allies sought reinforcements for France and Egypt, it became clear that fighting at Gallipoli could not continue. Allied high command decided to evacuate the troops from the peninsula in late December. However, Turkish forces had the advantage of the high ground, providing them a clear view of Allied movements on the cliffs, beaches and beyond. As such, when the evacuation began, Anzac forces left their positions in secret. Under darkness, they boarded ships waiting offshore to return them to Egypt via Lemnos. The secrecy of this operation prevented Turkish forces from inflicting heavy casualties as the Allies withdrew. Several thousand troops were successfully evacuated from Gallipoli by 20 December 1915. British and French forces evacuated Cape Helles in January 1916.
Gallipoli was one of the most significant campaigns in Australia's military history. It was the first campaign for the newly formed Australian Imperial Force (AIF). The AIF recorded over 26,000 casualties and almost 9,000 deaths. These huge losses, coupled with the exploits and bravery of those who served and died there, had a profound effect on Australian society. From 1916, Australians began to gather on the anniversary of the Gallipoli landing to commemorate those who served and those who lost their lives. This day became known as Anzac Day. Every year since, for over 100 years, Australians have paused on this anniversary to reflect and remember the service and sacrifice of all those who have served our nation in wars and on operations.
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