Hello everyone!
Today we’re exploring another map coming to Gallipoli, and the map that probably comes to mind first when you think of ‘Gallipoli’: Anzac Cove.
Following the failure to force a naval passage through the Dardanelles Straits in March 1915, the Entente allies decided that they would need to change their strategy. If they were to achieve their goal of capturing Constantinople and knocking the Ottoman Empire out of the war, they needed to land infantry on the Gallipoli peninsula to capture or destroy the Ottoman fortresses that guarded the straits.
Landing at Anzac Cove, source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C53771
In the early hours of the 25th April 1915 soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) approached the shore. They were aiming to land on Z Beach but had drifted a mile further north. Their plan was to take the beaches and then move on to capture various key ridges beyond. The Ottoman defenders detected their approach whilst the boats were still offshore and opened fire. The attack was on. Upon reaching the beach, the Australian soldiers fought uphill to capture their first objective: Plugge’s Plateau. However, the landscape beyond proved hugely difficult to traverse.
Steep hills of Anzac Cove, source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1000859
The defending Ottomans were hard-pressed. Whilst awaiting reinforcements, the commanding officer, Mustafa Kemal (later Kemal Atatürk, founding father of modern day Turkïye) issued his famous ‘I order you to die’ command to his men as he launched counter attacks. The Anzacs struggled to hold out against determined Ottoman attempts to force them back to the beaches. Their commanders decided to abandon the plan of capturing further ridges and instead dig in at Russell’s Top and hold the little territory they had gained. They would not progress much further for the rest of the campaign.
Mustafa Kemal (Kemal Atatürk, fourth from the left), source: https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C196601
Steep hills, sharp ridges and enough shrubberies to make someone shout “Ni!” characterize Anzac Cove. There’s not much in terms of visual cover when you’re running around, but you can make use of plant cover if you lay down in the right spots. As for the battle itself, well, it starts off with a grand entry of the British Empire… by boat.
The battle starts with the British forces divided across multiple boats. Soldiers will then row you towards the beach. In the meantime, you can focus on providing covering fire with your weapon of choice. This continues until the first sector is captured, halfway up Plugge’s Plateau.
On the Ottoman side, you’re sitting relatively comfortably at the objectives. While the British forces are splashing about, they’re a sitting duck with a complete lack of cover. These early stages of the battle are the best time for the Ottomans to really hack away at the attackers’ momentum. Be sure to bring some rifles!
The objectives themselves provide plenty of cover, but more worryingly perhaps, Krupp 75mm and HMG positions that can be used to send the attackers on a quick one-way trip to the bottom of the Aegean Sea.
It’s an uphill battle for the British forces, both literally and figuratively. Once the first sector is captured however, they’ll be able to use it as their forward base and continue over Plugge’s Plateau and head for the Sphinx.
After running down the other side of Plugge’s Plateau, the climb back up begins. Along the ridge sits one of the two objectives, one that doesn’t have much in the way of cover. Aside from some sandbags and the odd shrubbery, this steep objective is sure to get chaotic.
The other objective sits right on the shoulders of the Sphinx – or Yuksek Tepe amongst the Ottomans, an eye-catching geographical outcrop – and is likely easier to defend. Not only does it feature an underground cabin, some shooting nests, and plenty of foliage, it’s also one of the highest points on the map. You can spot people all the way back on Plugge’s Plateau, and even the beach in some places.
Running towards the third sector at Russell’s Top, the terrain evens out a bit. On the attackers’ left side, it’s only a slight incline. The right side sits lower, but leads to the same objective at the very end.
The final Headquarters is a series of trenches complete with tunnels, shooting nests and a nice view. Everything you need for a final Ottoman stand!
Let’s have a look at two more weapons commonly used on the Ottoman Front! This time, two standard issue sidearms you would’ve seen during the Landing at Anzac Cove.
The Webley Revolvers are a series of top-break revolvers adopted in 1887, where it became the standard issue service revolver of the British Empire. It fires the .455 Webley cartridge, making it amongst the most powerful revolvers of its type.
Compared to its prior models, the Mark VI had its barrel extended from 100mm to 150mm for better effectiveness at range – though its typical engagement range was quite short.
The FN M1903 is a Browning-design semi-automatic pistol firing the 9mm Browning Long cartridge, comparable to the 9x19mm Parabellum of the German Luger. The design was popular for its ease of use, reliability and accuracy.
8,000 FN M1903 pistols were ordered by the Ottoman Empire for police use prior to WW1, but ended up in the hands of Officers and specialized units during the war. More were produced for the Ottomans after the FN factory was captured by the Germans.
It is one of many famous foreign-made semi-automatic pistols fielded by the Ottoman army.
Got all that? Great. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Ctesiphon blog as well to learn more about the battles in Mesopotamia and the ancient Arch of Ctesiphon. You can expect more information from us again soon, so be sure to add Gallipoli to your wishlist!