1915 19th February
Battle of Gallipoli
What was to become the Battle of Gallipoli, a 10-month Battle of attrition, begins at 7.30am on February 19, 1915
First World War · permanent subject timeline
Gallipoli Campaign
The Allied land campaign on the Gallipoli peninsula. This page combines historical context with 16 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database World War I battle archive.
Historical context
Gallipoli Campaign: overview and significance
What happened?
Allied forces landed on the Gallipoli peninsula from April 1915 in an attempt to support the Dardanelles strategy. British, French, Australian and New Zealand troops established beachheads but failed to break through determined Ottoman defenses.
Why was it important?
The campaign ended in evacuation without achieving its strategic objectives. Gallipoli became central to Australian and New Zealand national memory and strengthened the reputation of Ottoman commanders including Mustafa Kemal.
World History Database records
Gallipoli Campaign timeline
The records below are selected from the 572-record World War I battles archive and rendered as static HTML in chronological order.
1915
1915 25th February
Battle of Gallipoli
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
1915 1st March
Battle of Gallipoli
Proposes Greek troops help the Allies
1915 8th March
Battle of Gallipoli
The event that decided the battle took place on the night of March 8 when the Ottoman minelayer Nusret laid a line of mines in Eren Key Bay, a wide bay along the Asian shore just inside the entrance to the straits
1915 8th March
Battle of Gallipoli
The operation went ahead without the British or French becoming aware of the recent additions to the Ottoman minefields
1915 16th March
Battle of Gallipoli
March 18 is a significant victory for the Ottoman Empire
1915 25th April
Battle of Gallipoli
Lands a force of Australians & New Zealanders subsequently know as ANZAC Cove
1915 25th April
Battle of Gallipoli
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
1915 25th April
Battle of Gallipoli
Commands the 1st troop landings on Gallipoli with the 29th Div & Australian & NZ corps
1915 25th April
Battle of Gallipoli
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
1915 6th August
Battle of Gallipoli
Reinforcements arrive when IX Corps land at Suvla
1915 6th August
Battle of Gallipoli
A 2nd failed attempt is made to land at Gallipoli
1915 August
Battle of Gallipoli
Despite heavy losses Churchill recommends troop reinforcements to the Dardanelles Comm
1915 10th December
Battle of Gallipoli
The first day of troop withdrawal from Gallipolli
1915
Battle of Gallipoli
Visits the Peninsular in November & recommends evacuation
1915
Battle of Gallipoli
The Thirteenth Division suffers 50% losses before its transfer to Mesopotamia in March 1916
Editorial provenance
Sources and editorial review
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from World History Database First World War records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Imperial War Museums · Commonwealth War Graves Commission · Australian War Memorial
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