The Gallipoli Campaign

What was the Gallipoli campaign?

The campaign was an Allied attempt to open up another campaign and to draw German forces away from the Western front.

What were the aims of the Gallipoli campaign?

In October 1914, Turkey joined forces with Germany and Austria-Hungary. As Turkey controlled the Dardanelles, which connected the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea, Britain could no longer send supplies to Russia, and Russian ships in the Black Sea were trapped. The Gallipoli campaign was needed to:

• ❖ Supply Russia through the Black Sea ports.
• ❖ Break the stalemate on the Western Front by drawing in German forces to support its weaker ally, Turkey.

Who was in charge of the Gallipoli campaign?

It was an Anglo-French operation led by Winston Churchill, the British first lord of the Admiralty.

When was the Gallipoli campaign?

The campaign ran from February 1915 to January 1916.

Where was the Gallipoli campaign?

At Gallipoli, in northwest Turkey.

What happened during the Gallipoli campaign?

There were a number of events during the Gallipoli campaign:

• ❖ On 19th February, 1915, Anglo-French naval forces began to bombard Turkish positions along the coast. 18th March, 1915 saw the main attack launched, but the fleet retreated after losing three battleships.
• ❖ After the retreat, the decision was taken to launch a ground invasion. Allied troops landed on 25th April, 1915, with the aim of capturing the forts that guarded the entrance to the Dardanelles.
• ❖ The naval attack warned the Turks of the planned invasion, so they were prepared and had strengthened their positions since February 1915.
• ❖ Allied troops landed at Anzac Cove under heavy fire, but established themselves. However, they were unable to move inland and a stalemate developed.
• ❖ The Allies withdrew between 10th December, 1915 and 9th January, 1916. Over 135,000 Allied troops were evacuated. This was the most successful part of the campaign, with only three casualties recorded.

What were the results of the Gallipoli campaign?

There were 5 important consequences of the failed campaign:

• ❖ 204,000 Allied troops were wounded and 48,000 killed.
• ❖ Many soldiers became ill, due to the poor living conditions.
• ❖ The Dardanelles were not captured, and this meant Russia was cut off from Allied support.
• ❖ Germany was able to strengthen its Western Front position as the Allies looked to make gains in Gallipoli.
• ❖ Churchill and Hamilton (the leaders of the campaign) were removed from their positions.