Battle Story: Gallipoli 1915

The Gallipoli campaign was in some ways the brainchild of First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, who saw an attack on the Dardanelles as a way to break through the stalemate in supplying the Eastern Front. The preceding naval campaign led many to believe that victory was inevitable. However, increased losses at sea prompted the Allies to send ground troops to invade and eliminate the Ottoman artillery. These ground forces comprised a large ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand) contingent and Gallipoli would be their first major campaign in the war. They invaded on 25 April 1915, landing on 5 stretches of beach in open boats. The casualties from the first landing were horrific, of the first 200 men out of the boats, only 21 reached inland, the rest were mown down by the Ottoman machine-guns. Throughout the campaign losses were severe, with both sides suffering casualties in excess of 200,000 troops. Eventually the Allies were forced to evacuate. The fall out from this disaster was felt in both military and political circles. Battle Story Gallipoli takes you to the frontline and beyond, ensuring that you will appreciate the ultimate sacrifice made by these WWI soldiers.

Auteur

PETER DOYLE specialises in the understanding of military terrain, with special reference to the two world wars. A member of the British Commission of Military History, and co-secretary of the Parliamentary All Party War Graves and Battlefield Heritage Group, he is the author of nine works of military history.

Résumé
In a campaign part sponsored by First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill, the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915 remains one of the most resounding Allied defeats of the First World War, with both the Allied and Ottoman armies suffering in excess of 200,000 casualties. Despite this, many believed it would be a sure-fire success due to the preceding naval campaign, but increased losses at sea prompted the Allies to send in ground troops. Comprising a large ANZAC contingent on their first major operation, they were tasked with invading and eliminating the formidable Ottoman artillery. On 25 April 1915, they landed on five stretches of beach in open boats. The casualties from the first landing were horrific: of the first 200 men out of the boats, only twenty-one reached inland, the rest being mown down by Ottoman machine guns. Casualties only accelerated from there for both sides, until the Allies were forced to evacuate. Gallipoli 1915 takes you to the front line and beyond, ensuring that you will appreciate the ultimate sacrifice made by these brave soldiers.