Gallipoli was one of the longest military campaigns during World War 1, taking place between 25th April 1915 – 9th January 1916. It was also one of the bloodiest for the Allied forces, being nearly 500,000 casualties and losses during the battle for both sides. It was a incredibly important battle, despite the loss on the side of the allies. To explain why it was so important, some backstory is required for the battle.
Due to the change of government in the Ottoman empire a few years before, the Ottomans had gained the reputation of “The sick man of Europe”, due to political instability, military defeat and civil strife problems following nearly a century of decline. After a new figurehead …show more content…
Anzac cove started when the ANZAC forces landed on the west side of the peninsula at night. They landed over a kilometre from their intended landing beach. In the darkness, the assault formations became mixed up and gradually the troops made their way in-land, even with opposition from the Turks. Not long after landing their plans were thrown away and companies and battalions were thrown into battle piece-meal and received several different orders. Some advanced to the pre-designated objectives and some were diverted to other areas, then ordered to dig defensive ridge lines. After time, though failing in their objectives, the ANZACs had formed a small beach-head. In places they were clinging onto cliffs with no defence system. Their precarious position convinced both divisional commanders to ask for a evac, but after taking advice from the royal navy about how practicable it would be, they decided they would stay. The landing at Cape Helles was badly mangled by Aylmer-Hunter-Weston was at five locations, known as the Y, X, W, V and S beaches and consisted of 35,000 soldiers. Though the Turkish Defence force was quite weak, with 20,000 men and limited ammunition, it performed remarkably well in holding back the ANZAC forces, of the five landing sites W and V beaches came under Turkish Machine gun fire. The remaining sites were secured yet Hunter-Weston decided not to press forward and attack what was left of the Turkish defence force. Due to numerous other landings not deciding to advance, the Turkish closed in from the cliffs and fired artillery down on them, though the Turks found themselves also unable to advance, finding it difficult to push back Hamiltons forces. This ended with heavy losses, and they called in reinforcements, though not without plenty of scrunity from the French and the