Gallipoli in History

Appointed Commander of the ANZAC forces

Appointed Commander of the ANZAC forces

Appointed Commander of the ANZAC forces

Appointed Commander of the ANZAC forces

Hamilton approves a major August offensive combining ANZAC attacks, a Sari Bair advance and new landings at Suvla.

The Thirteenth Division suffers 50% losses before its transfer to Mesopotamia in March 1916

Visits the Peninsular in November & recommends evacuation

Appointed Commander of the 87th Brigade at Gallipoli

Appointed Commander of the 87th Brigade at Gallipoli

Appointed Commander of the Thirteenth Division at Gallipoli

Appointed Commander of the Thirteenth Division at Gallipoli

Monro recommends withdrawal after concluding that the Allied position offers little prospect of strategic success.

Kitchener supports evacuation from ANZAC and Suvla after inspecting conditions on the peninsula.

Commands IX Corps at Suvla Bay on Gallipoli, August 1915-January 1916

What was to become the Battle of Gallipoli, a 10-month Battle of attrition, begins at 7.30am on February 19, 1915

Demolition parties of Royal Marines raided the Sedd el Bahr and Kum Kale forts, meeting little opposition. Another attempt is made on February 25, this time the Ottomans evacuate the outer defences and the fleet enters the straits to engage the intermediate defences

Hamilton identifies the Kilid Bahr plateau as essential for neutralising the forts covering the Narrows.

The operation went ahead without the British or French becoming aware of the recent additions to the Ottoman minefields

March 18 is a significant victory for the Ottoman Empire

Birdwood's corps is assigned a landing north of Gaba Tepe to threaten the peninsula's central communications.

Birdwood and senior ANZAC officers inspect the Gallipoli coast from HMS Queen Elizabeth before the landings.

Celebrated as ANZAC day

Hamilton orders the Anzacs to hold their ground rather than abandon the beachhead on the first night.

Commands the 1st troop landings on Gallipoli with the 29th Div & Australian & NZ corps

Responsible for the Gallipoli front by leading the Mediterranean expeditionary force. Expects a 2 day advantage in which the Turks would be confused but is dissappointed. Celebrated as ANZAC day

With the failure of the naval assault, the idea that land forces could advance around the backs of the Dardanelles forts and capture Istanbul gained support as an alternative, on 25 April, the Gallipoli Campaign is launched

Nasmith briefly uses a captured sailing vessel as camouflage while operating near Gallipoli.

Hamilton repeatedly requests additional divisions as the campaign becomes a prolonged struggle.

Hamilton employs Royal Naval Division battalions to reinforce overstretched sectors of the peninsula.

Hamilton receives additional formations for a new attempt to break the Gallipoli deadlock.

Despite heavy losses Churchill recommends troop reinforcements to the Dardanelles Comm

A 2nd failed attempt is made to land at Gallipoli

Hamilton's August offensive ends without gaining the decisive heights or breaking the strategic deadlock.

Hamilton argues that withdrawing from Gallipoli could cause catastrophic casualties and damage British prestige.

Hamilton is relieved of command as the British government reassesses the failed Gallipoli strategy.

Monro arrives to take command and immediately reviews whether the peninsula should be evacuated.

Monro concludes that evacuation risks are lower than Hamilton had feared and presses for withdrawal.

Monro prepares to implement the British decision to abandon the ANZAC and Suvla sectors.

The first day of troop withdrawal from Gallipolli

Troops are evacuated from the Gallipoli Campaign

British troops are evacuated from the Gallipoli campaign.

Monro reports completion of the final Helles evacuation, ending the Allied Dardanelles expedition.

The final day of troop withdrawal from Gallipolli

Monro completes the withdrawal of the remaining Allied forces, ending the Gallipoli campaign.