2. Why invade Turkey? ► remove one of Germany's most important allies (Ottoman Empire). ► Open the vital sea-route to Russia (helping Tsar Nicholas II). ► Draw the wavering neutral Balkan States - particularly Greece, Romania and Bulgaria - into the Entente. ► With stalemate on western front, the Allies needed a victory.

3. The Dardanelles: The straight between the Aegean Sea, in the Sea of Marmara.

5. The Plan – part 1 ► British & French Naval Assault on the Forts either side of Dardanelles. ► Knock Turkey out of the war by sailing through ‘the narrows’ (clearing mines as they went) and blockading Constantinople. ► Minimal deployment of troops – marine raiding parties to stop shore batteries ► Attack set for for 18 March, 1915.

6. Why Did This Plan Fail? ► Turks knew they were coming ► The straights were heavily mined ► No ground support from troops. ► Turks had mobile guns firing from either side at the minesweepers. ► 3 ships sunk by mines, 3 others damaged ► Navy withdraws, for fear of further loss.

7. Naval Attack of March 18, 1915

8. The Plan – Part II ► On 23 March, Navy requests joint operation with Army to silence Turkish guns either side if Dardanelles so they can clear minefields ► 75,000 British (including ANZAC) and French troops stationed in Greece and Egypt were to be landed on the Gallipoli peninsula to knock out the guns.

9. Details of the Plan Part II ► 29 th Division to land at Cape Helles on 5 beaches & capture Achi Baba. ► ANZACS were to land on ‘Brighton Beach’ (north of Gabe Tepe) & capture Mal Tepe. ► French force would launch a fake attack at Besika Bay as would the Royal Naval Division at Bulair to confuse the Turks. ► Attack set for 25 th April 1915.

10. The Numbers ► British and French = 29 th Division (17,649), ANZAC (30,638), French (16,762), RND (10,007). Total =75,056 ► Ottomans = 6 divisions under Von Sanders, (60,000) spread across the Dardanelles. Another 60,000 to 90,000 within close proximity of area Total=60,000-150,000

11. Turkish troops before the attack. Patrols along coast, 2 divisions (20,000) close by ANZAC Helles 29 th Div.

12. Problems with this Plan ► Turkish forces were prepared for an attack after months of Naval bombardment and the not so secret troop build-up in Egypt and Lemnos. ► Confusion over navy’s role – army thought it was a joint attack, navy thought they’d wait and see - Hamilton based in Egypt, Navy Command on Lemnos. ► Only one month to prepare following failed navy attempt on March 18 to April 25 th - not enough staff to prepare, not enough of the right weapons/equipment (artillery, hand grenades etc), inaccurate maps

13. Biggest Problem = The Terrain Very steep incline, heavily fortified with well concealed Turkish snipers.

14. The Beach = NARROW