World War I: The Battle of Gallipoli begins: The invasion of the Turkish Gallipoli Peninsula by British, French, Indian, Newfoundland, Australian and New Zealand troops, begins with landings at Anzac Cove and Cape Helles.

The Gallipoli Campaign: A Pivotal World War I Endeavor

The Gallipoli Campaign, a major military undertaking of the First World War, unfolded on the rugged Gallipoli Peninsula, known today as Gelibolu in modern Turkey. This ambitious campaign spanned from 17 February 1915 to 9 January 1916, pitting the Entente powers—Britain, France, and Russia—against the formidable Ottoman Empire, one of the Central Powers. The strategic rationale behind the Entente's offensive was multi-layered: to critically weaken the Ottoman Empire by seizing control of the vital Turkish Straits, particularly the Dardanelles. Success here would have exposed the Ottoman capital at Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) to direct bombardment by Allied battleships, effectively severing it from the empire's vast Asian territories. Beyond this immediate goal, a decisive victory over Turkey was envisioned to secure the crucial Suez Canal, a lifeline for Allied global shipping, and, perhaps most significantly, to establish a year-round Allied supply route through the Black Sea to Russia's warm-water ports, thereby bolstering the Eastern Front.

The campaign commenced with an attempted naval forcing of the Dardanelles in February 1915, an effort that ultimately proved unsuccessful against well-placed Ottoman defenses and minefields. This failure necessitated a more complex approach, leading to a large-scale amphibious landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula in April 1915. However, after eight grueling months of trench warfare and brutal close-quarters fighting, characterized by immense human cost and strategic stalemate, the land campaign was eventually abandoned. The Allied invasion force was withdrawn in January 1916. The toll was staggering, with approximately 250,000 casualties suffered on each side, marking it as one of the war's bloodiest and most costly engagements for all involved. Its reverberations were particularly felt by the Entente powers and the Ottoman Empire, as well as by key proponents of the expedition, notably Winston Churchill, then First Lord of the Admiralty.

Legacies and Defining Moments

From the perspective of the Ottoman Empire, the Gallipoli Campaign represented a monumental and ultimately successful defense, a great victory against overwhelming odds. It is deeply embedded in Turkish national consciousness as a defining moment in the state's history, symbolizing a final, courageous surge in the defense of the motherland as the Ottoman Empire faced its twilight years. The hard-won triumph at Gallipoli played a foundational role in galvanizing the spirit for the subsequent Turkish War of Independence and, eight years later, the declaration of the Republic of Turkey. Crucially, it was on the battlefields of Gallipoli that Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, later the revered founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, rose to prominence as a brilliant and resolute commander.

Conversely, for Australia and New Zealand, the campaign is often regarded as the crucible in which their distinct national consciousness began to forge. The shared experience, sacrifice, and camaraderie of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) troops, fighting far from home, became a powerful narrative of national identity. This profound impact is underscored by the annual commemoration of 25 April as Anzac Day, the anniversary of the landings. For both countries, Anzac Day stands as the most significant commemoration of military casualties and veterans, surpassing even Remembrance Day (Armistice Day) in its emotional and cultural resonance.

The Fateful Landing at Anzac Cove

On Sunday, 25 April 1915, the land phase of the Gallipoli Campaign dramatically commenced with the amphibious invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The landing at Anzac Cove, also known by the British as the landing at Gaba Tepe and to the Turks as the Arıburnu Battle, saw forces of the British Empire, predominantly comprising troops from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), make their move. The assault troops were put ashore at night on the western (Aegean Sea) side of the peninsula. However, a critical navigational error saw them land approximately one mile (1.6 km) north of their intended beach. This misdirection, compounded by the darkness, led to immediate disarray; the carefully planned assault formations became thoroughly mixed up as units scrambled ashore.

Despite the initial confusion, the ANZAC troops, under increasing and determined opposition from the entrenched Ottoman Turkish defenders, gradually pressed inland. Yet, the chaos of the landing meant that the initial ANZAC plans quickly had to be abandoned. Companies and battalions were thrown into battle piecemeal, often receiving fragmented and mixed orders. Some units bravely advanced towards their designated objectives, while others found themselves diverted to alternative areas, ordered instead to dig in along defensive ridge lines to secure what little ground they had gained. By nightfall on that first day, despite failing to achieve their ambitious objectives, the ANZACs had managed to establish a tenuous beachhead. It was, however, significantly smaller and far more precarious than originally intended. In many places, troops were precariously clinging to steep cliff faces, with little to no organized defensive system in place. This dire situation led both divisional commanders to urgently request an evacuation. Yet, after careful consultation with the Royal Navy regarding the practicalities and extreme risks of such an operation, the army commander ultimately made the difficult decision for the troops to hold their ground. While the exact casualty figures for this harrowing day remain unknown, it is estimated that of the two divisions landed by the ANZACs, over two thousand men had been killed or wounded, tragically matched by at least a similar number of Turkish casualties, highlighting the ferocity of the early engagements.

Anzac Day: A Day of Reflection and Memory

Since 1916, the anniversary of these pivotal landings, 25 April, has been solemnly commemorated as Anzac Day. It has grown to become one of the most profoundly important commemorative dates for both Australia and New Zealand, a time to honor the sacrifice and spirit of their servicemen and women. The significance of this day extends beyond these two nations, with commemorations also taking place in Turkey, often fostering messages of peace and reconciliation, and in the United Kingdom, acknowledging the broader Allied involvement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the primary goal of the Gallipoli Campaign?
The primary goal for the Entente powers was to weaken the Ottoman Empire by capturing the Turkish Straits, specifically the Dardanelles, which would allow Allied naval forces to bombard Constantinople (Istanbul), secure a vital supply route to Russia via the Black Sea, and protect the Suez Canal.
Who were the main belligerents in the Gallipoli Campaign?
The campaign primarily involved the Entente powers (Britain, France, and Russia, with forces largely from the British Empire, including Australia and New Zealand) fighting against the Ottoman Empire (one of the Central Powers).
When did the Gallipoli Campaign take place?
The campaign lasted from 17 February 1915 to 9 January 1916.
What was the ultimate outcome of the Gallipoli Campaign?
The campaign was a strategic failure for the Entente powers, who were forced to withdraw their forces after eight months of fighting. It was considered a great victory for the Ottoman Empire.
Why is Anzac Day significant for Australia and New Zealand?
Anzac Day, commemorated on April 25th, marks the anniversary of the Anzac Cove landings and is considered the moment when Australia and New Zealand began to forge their distinct national identities through shared sacrifice. It is their most significant day of military commemoration.
What was Mustafa Kemal Atatürk's role in the Gallipoli Campaign?
Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, who would later become the founder and first president of the Republic of Turkey, rose to prominence as a highly effective and inspiring commander during the Gallipoli Campaign, leading Ottoman forces to critical victories.
What challenges did ANZAC troops face during the landing at Anzac Cove on April 25, 1915?
ANZAC troops faced immediate challenges including landing approximately one mile north of their intended beach in darkness, leading to chaotic and mixed-up formations. They then encountered fierce and organized resistance from Ottoman defenders, resulting in heavy casualties and the failure to secure their initial objectives, though they managed to establish a precarious beachhead.