1. Background to the Gallipoli campaign

2. By the end of 1914 (the first year of World War I) there was a stalemate on the Western Front. The Ottoman Empire joined the war in 1914 on the side of Central Powers (Germany and the Austro- Hungarian Empire – also Bulgaria from October 1915). The Allied Powers (France, Britain and Russia) wanted to control the sea route from Europe to Russia and to capture Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

3. The Gallipoli Campaign of 1915-16, (sometimes called the Dardanelles Campaign) was an unsuccessful attempt by the Allied Powers to control the sea route from Europe to Russia during World War I. The Campaign began with a failed naval attack by British and French ships on the Dardanelles Straits in February-March 1915 and continued with a major land invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, involving British and French troops as well as divisions of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC). Lack of sufficient intelligence and knowledge of the terrain, along with a fierce Turkish resistance, hampered the success of the invasion. By mid-October, Allied forces had suffered heavy casualties and had made little headway from their initial landing sites. Evacuation began in December 1915, and was completed early the following January.

4. Where is Gallipoli? Images APT Library

5. Where is Gallipoli? Image Google Earth/Creative Commons

6. On 18 March five Allied warships were sunk or disabled. Allied commanders decided that troops would need to attack the Gallipoli peninsula to disable the Ottoman defences before the naval attack could proceed. During February and March 1915 British and French navies bombarded coastal forts and artillery positions along the Dardanelles Straits, hoping to force their way through to Constantinople. Images The Imperial War Museum/Royal Munster Library

7. Before dawn on 25 th April 1915 Allied troops began to land on the Gallipoli peninsula. The Ottoman defences were well prepared and Allied troops were injured and killed as they landed. The Ottomans also suffered heavy losses. Image The Imperial War Museum

8. AlliesOttomans Total troops in action559,000315,000 Killed or died of wounds58,00087,000 Wounded, sick, POWs140,000251,000 Britain & Empire France & colonies Australia & New Zealand India Total troops in action 420,00080,00059,00016,000 Killed or died of wounds 29,50012,00011,0001,500 Wounded, sick, POWs 14,00030,00025,0003,500 Number of troops and casualties on each side Number of troops and casualties in the Allied army Source Gallipoli Association / Wikipedia

9. British troops in a trench at Gallipoli Image National Army Museum

10. Ottoman-Turkish infantry camp Image from Getty Images

11. A ship called the River Clyde’ carrying British troops was run aground at Sedd el Bahr, Gallipoli, to act as a pier Image from Getty Images

12. An Allied officer in the trenches with his men Image from Getty Images