Conquering Gallipoli: The Battle Of The Nek

On the 25th of April, at approximately 4:30am, Anzacs attempted to conquer Gallipoli. However, this campaign is a prime example of how unsuccessful trench warfare and stalemates are. Slow fighting methods and poor living conditions within the trenches made multiple attempts by the Anzacs to end stalemates unsuccessful during the Gallipoli campaign. Trench warfare meant an adjustment was needed in the way troops fought, also it caused the troops to experience poor living conditions and exposure to disease. Multiple attempts to compromise the stalemate meant high casualties due to the lengthy delays. Overall, this shows that trench warfare was unsuccessful for the campaign.
Trench warfare resulted in slow fighting due to mobility loss, and poor …show more content…
These attempts transpired during the August offensives in 1915. With both sides in a stalemate at the time, the August offensives were initiated, with the goal of capturing the Sari Bair range. However, it was complicated plan but it was decided that the stalemate needed to be broken. The complications arose by the continuous attacks and mass deaths, resulting in the need for additional troops. One of these attacks was the battle of the Nek. The disaster at the Nek occurred in the early stages of the offensives, but was heavily ineffective. Confusion among troops, meant that the artillery fire stopped seven minutes early, this then resulting in the death of? Many men during the charge. This attack proved to be unsuccessful do to the wasted lives of 283 men, from the rifle and machine gun fire of the Turkish army. “This attacks was heroic but, like most of the feint attacks, should not have been allowed to take place as it only wasted the lives of brave men.” To further make a push during the offensives, Sir Ian Hamilton led an additional 45 thousand troops and another 50 thousand for further offensives. Due to the constant attempts, multiple soldiers were either evacuated or left in ‘No man’s Land.’ This then resulting in the need for extra troops to finish the campaign and make one last push. Controversially, even “Sir Ian Hamilton informed Lord Kitchener that …show more content…
The typical trench formation consisted of three lines. The first trench was known as the front line and was the most dangerous place to be as a solider. The second line was the support trench, their main goal was to back up the front line in charges or help if being attacked. The third line would be the reserve trench which was used for counter attacks if the two trenches in front were taken. This method is a very successful defensively however the same cannot be said for offense. If a successful charge occurred among the ranks, one front line would capture the other. However, in doing so the front would lose their supplies and support. In doing so, the front line forced to fight the support and reserve lines, this usually resulted in a retreat. This process would be recreated by both sides throughout a stalemate. With the Turkish retaining the high ground within the fight it meant that the Anzac faced constant shell fire. As well as making it difficult to survive, their position meant that Turkish defence was almost impenetrable. Their defence became impervious as it is harder for troops to attack up hill. Therefore, it meant the Anzac troops had a more daunting task, which meant that the Turkish troops gained the upper hand from the beginning and retained their position. Trench warfare at the beginning of World War I was a very inexperienced topic among leaders