Gallipoli War consists of the land and naval battles fought between the Ottoman Empire and the Allied Powers on the Gallipoli Peninsula between 1915 and 1916 during World War I. The Entente States entered the Dardanelles as the first target to seize control of the straits by capturing Istanbul, the capital of the Ottoman Empire, to create a safe and peaceful military agricultural trade route with Russia, and to minimize the power of the Allied States by excluding one of their German allies from the war. However, the attacks were unsuccessful and the Allies were forced to retreat after both sides suffered heavy losses.
Gallipoli Naval Battles
On 19 February 1915, the Allied navy began firing on the outer (first) defenses with the power of the navy. These battles resulted in the elimination of the outer defenses. The first phase of the enemy plan was completed. This result influenced the political and military attitudes of Italy, Bulgaria, Greece and Russia in favor of the Entente. The second phase of the offensive in the central region was launched on February 26. This operation did not succeed easily due to the fire of the Turkish artillery.
The 26 mines laid by the Nusret ship in the Dark Harbor on the night of March 7-8 constituted a very important force in winning the battles of March 18. The attack on the inner defenses took place on March 18. This operation, which was attempted without a complete success in the central area, could not be achieved. They were defeated by Turkish artillery and mines.
The modern battleships comprised the 1st Division (4 battleships) and the 2nd and 3rd Divisions (13 battleships). 1/3 of the Allied fleet was eliminated from the battle. The battleships Ocean, Irresistible and Bouvet were sunk, while Inflexible, Gaulois and Suffren suffered wounds that required long maintenance. In the battles of March 18, the Turkish losses were 4 officers, 22 privates martyred and 74 wounded. During these battles, 18 German soldiers in the redoubts were killed.
Gallipoli Ground Battles
On March 22, the Allied land troops in the region were sent to Alexandria. The Turkish 5th Army (84,000 men) had 2 divisions in Saros, 1 division in Gallipoli, 1 division (19th Division) in reserve in Bigalı and 2 divisions in Kumkale. While the forces were initially organized on the shore, L. Von Sanders took the precaution of keeping the forces behind. Atatürk opposed this view and the situation during the landings proved Atatürk right. The Allied forces numbered 75,000 on this date. The landing operation on the shore was launched on April 25, 1915. Initially, April 23rd had been set. Due to bad weather, the landing was postponed to April 25.
The time of the landing was thought to ensure a raid. The ships departing from Imroz sailed by moonlight until they were 5 miles from the shore. Here they waited for the moon to set. The forces embarked in lifeboats moved towards the shore with the engines they had backed up. The coast was to be reached before sunrise. Since the Turkish side had no searchlights and no coastal ships, the landing troops could only be seen when they reached 2000 meters. The landing did not result in a complete strategic domination. The Turkish side was following and evaluating the activities in Egypt and the islands and expected a landing in the Dardanelles region. However, there was uncertainty as to whether this landing would be at Gallipoli or heavily on the Dardanelles peninsula.
Although the landing was not a full strategic raid, it was a tactical raid since it was not known where and when to land. After the first wave landed, the lifeboats returned with the engines. 45 minutes later the second wave would reach the shore. Thus, the landing units, which were organized as 1200-1500 men each time, would be able to land a regiment of 2500-3000 men within 1.5 hours. The Turkish side, on the other hand, needed 3-4 hours to bring their troops from the land to the shore, except for the small observation units on the shore. Thus, the landing troops had an advantage of 1.5-2.5 hours as soon as they landed. The main base of the landing forces was Alexandria, the second base was the port of Mondoros in Limni and the island of Lesbos. The landings were launched using 109 warships and 308 transports.
The first landings were made at Arıburnu at 5 am, Seddülbahir at 6 am and Kumkale at 9.30 am. This time difference was to allow for artillery fire. Two hours after the landing, the assault echelons were ashore.
Seddülbahir Battles
The 3rd Battalion of the 26th Regiment was in the area. This battalion was responsible for closing the 17 km. front. Of the 8 battalions of the British 29th Division, 4 battalions were landed here in the first echelon and after artillery fire. The rest of the division was to land in the 2nd echelon, the French 1st Division and the British Marines in the 3rd echelon.
The landing was easy as the Turkish team in Morto harbor was destroyed by naval fire. The first wave of the forces landing in Ertuğrul Bay was completely destroyed by the Turkish fire. The second wave (2000 men) from a coal ship “Ruier Ilyde” suffered many casualties and could hardly hold on to the shore. In Teke Bay, the first wave was almost completely melted. The 2nd wave was successful. The first wave of the landing at Karacaoğlan Bay was successful. The initially successful landing north of Sığındere was concluded with the evacuation of the area on April 26 as a result of our counterattacks. The enemy landed the second and third waves. But he was kept away from Alçı Tepe.
Ariburnu Battles
The Anzac Corps made a plan so that the 1st Australian Division would be in front, followed by the Australian-Yenezelanda Division. In Arıburnu, the 200 men of the 4th Company of the 27th Regiment were scattered on a 1500 meter front. Although it was originally planned to land between Arıburnu and Kaba Tepe, the Australian Brigade, which formed the first wave, landed on Arıburnu 2 kilometers to the north. At around 5 o’clock, the Turks began firing when the lifeboats were 800 meters away. There were 2750 men in the first two waves and 1250 men in the third wave, which arrived half an hour later.
The enemy captured the first ridges at 7 o’clock.Conkbayırı and Kocaçimen, which formed the backbone of the peninsula, began to be threatened.If they could have captured these places, the operation would have achieved its goal to a great extent.Because the great ridge that crossed the middle of the Gallipoli peninsula provided control of the Marmara and Dardanelles Straits.At 8.30 am, the advance towards Kocaçimen began.The 27th Regiment in the area held Kemalyeri.
Mustafa Kemal, the commander of the 19th Division, who was in reserve, asked the commander of the 9th Division to send a battalion to the area.Considering one battalion insufficient, Atatürk sent the 57th Infantry Regiment, reinforced with a cavalry company and an artillery company, to the region.He himself also moved to the region. All members of the 57th Regiment, including the Regiment Commander, were martyred or wounded in the Çanakkale battles.
When Atatürk arrived at Kocaçimen Bastion, he could not see the shore, so he went further.Here he encountered scouts who were retreating because they had run out of ammunition.He himself was caught between the enemy and his regiment, which was still behind.He positioned the soldiers against the enemy.He gained crucial time and quickly moved the 57th Regiment to the area and had it attack (10.00 hours).
At 10.20 the enemy began to retreat. In the afternoon, the 72nd and 77th Regiments joined the offensive. Thanks to the naval fire, the enemy could only hold on to the coastal ridges. A complete withdrawal was considered by the Allied command but was abandoned.
At night the Anzac Corps landed 20 battalions (15,000 men). The Turkish side had 9 battalions of 5000 men.
Kumkale Landing
It was a showboating operation here.The landing started at 9.30 with the 6th French Colonial Infantry Regiment.2800 people landed in front of 1 of our companies. The enemy left the coast on April 25-26 to land elsewhere.
Saros Bay Landings
The landing in this bay was also a show landing.Towards the evening of April 25, 1200 men landed on the shore. These forces withdrew after the group.There was also a demonstration landing in the harbor of Besik’e.After the landing, the period known as the Spring Battles began.The Turkish forces on the Gallipoli peninsula were divided into three groups: the Saros group, the Arıburnu group and the Seddülbahir group.The Arıburnu and Seddülbahir groups were under Esat Pasha, the commander of the III Corps.General Weber commanded the Anatolian group.By May 1, the Allied landings had been completed.
The enemy was using countless ammunition, while the Turkish side was using ammunition very carefully and trying to take advantage of night attacks. On the fronts, there was a complete positional warfare. Trenches could be approached up to 8-10 meters. The landing was not considered successful. The ports from which we received reinforcements were under artillery fire. For this, the British made use of surveillance from a balloon (between Arıburnu and Kara Tepe). A British submarine entering the Marmara Sea also made it difficult to resupply from the sea. Enemy airplanes conducted reconnaissance and dropped bombs and nails on Turkish troops.
The British then reinforced the Arıburnu area with their own troops. An operation was planned towards Kocaçimen Bastion. Anafartalar became the most important area of the operation. Mustafa Kemal’s responsibility and authority in the region increased with each success.
Autumn Battles
The summer and autumn battles continued with trench warfare and counterattacks with high casualties. Turkish forces were increased to 21 divisions.
Chronology of the Gallipoli War
January 11, 1915
Admiral Carden’s presentation to the Ministry of Admiralty of the Plan he had prepared for the Attack on the Dardanelles.
January 15, 1915
Sinking of the French submarine named Saphir off Köseburnu – Notification to Admiral Carden that the plan prepared for the attack on the Dardanelles was appropriate.
January 28, 1915.
At today’s meeting of the War Committee, it was decided to force the Dardanelles with the Navy alone and February 19, 1915 was determined as the date of the attack.
February 1, 1915
Mustafa Kemal takes office in Tekirdağ.
February 17, 1915:
Barbaros and Turgut Reis Battleships Arrive at Nara to Join the Defense.
18 February 1915
The Deputy Commander-in-Chief arrives in Çanakkale for inspection.
February 19, 1915
Combined Fleet’s Attack and Battles on the Dardanelles Entrance Forts – The second major attack by the Allied Powers fleet on the Dardanelles.
February 23, 1915
The 72nd Infantry Regiment, which was assigned to the 19th Division from the 6th Corps, arrived in Eceabat.
February 25, 1915
Arrival of the 19th Division Commander, Headquarters, 57th Infantry Regiment, Mountain Battery, Medical Company, Mobile Hospital Baker Platoon from Tekirdağ to Eceabat – Transfer of the Çanakkale Fortified Area Headquarters to Hacıpaşa Farm – Appointment of the 19th Division Commander to the Eceabat Region Command by the Çanakkale Fortified Area Commander – Appointment of Mustafa Kemal to the 19th Division Command – The Combined Fleet Destroys the Cannons at the Entrance Forts and Begins to Enter the Strait.
February 26, 1915
Establishment of the 10th Mine Line between Değirmenburnu and Çanakkale Lighthouse – Landing at Seddülbahir and Kumkale.
March 1, 1915
Venizelos’ proposal to land 3 divisions on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
March 2, 1915
General Liman Von Sanders is appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ottoman Land Forces in Çanakkale.
March 4, 1915
The Treaty of Istanbul, which foresaw the division of the Straits between England, France and Russia, was signed. The 3rd Australian Brigade arrived at the Port of Mudros.
5-6 March 1915
Bombardment of the Queen Elizabeth Battleship from the West of Çamköy with the Attempt to Overrun the Central Fortifications.
7 – 8 March 1915
The Nusret Mine Ship laid mines in Karanlık Bay at the entrance to the Bosphorus with the last 26 mines it had left.
11 March 1915
Appointment of Sir Ian Hamilton to Commander of Allied Force, Mediterranean.
12 March 1915
Arrival of the 11th Division in the Ezine, Bayramiç Region – Arrival of the Remaining Part of the British Marine Division in Lemnos Island.
March 13, 1915
Kitchener gives instructions to Hamilton on the use of land forces.
March 15, 1915
The French Eastern Expeditionary Force under the Command of General d’Amade arrives at the Port of Mudros.
March 16, 1915:
Arrival of the American Ambassador, Minister of Justice, and Austrian Military Attaché in Çanakkale – Admiral Carden leaves office due to health reasons.
March 17, 1915
Admiral de Robeck assumes command of the Combined Fleet.
March 18, 1915
Battle of the Dardanelles, the Allied navy launched the most extensive attack of the war with approximately 30 warships. Of the six major ships, the battleships Bouvet, Irresistible and Ocean were sunk, and three were rendered unusable. The attempt to cross the Dardanelles by sea failed in the face of Turkish naval and land defenses.
On March 23, 1915,
German General Liman Vona Sanders was appointed as the Commander of the 5th Army. Lieutenant Colonel Mustafa Kemal was appointed as the commander of the 19th Division, which would form the reserve of this army.
March 24, 1915
General Hamilton Moves to Egypt to Organize His Troops.
March 25, 1915
The 9th Division Commander took over the Eceabat Region Command from the 19th Division Commander.
March 26, 1915
The 5th Army Commander arrives in Gallipoli and assumes his duties.
March 27, 1915
Churchill informs Admiral de Robeck of the decision to conduct joint operations.
March 28, 1915
Establishment of the Last Mine Line, Consisting of 19 Mines, Between Tengerdere and Domuzdere, Towards the Middle of the Strait.
31 March 1915 – 1 April 1915
Extension of 10 Mines Parallel to This Mine Line, in the Direction of the Bosphorus.
March 31, 1915
Arrival of the 3rd Division with its Combat Units in Erenköy.
April 1, 1915
General Weber assumes command of the Crew Corps at Kalvert Farm.
10 April 1915
General Hamilton’s Arrival at Mudros – The Major Part of the Australian Division Arrives at Mudros.
April 16, 1915
The Demirhisar torpedo boat ran itself aground and sank.
17 April 1915
British submarine E-15 damaged and grounded in the Straits.
April 18-19, 1915:
The British sink the E-15 submarine with torpedoes.
April 25, 1915
The first large-scale landing of the Allied forces.
April 27, 1915
British submarines begin submarine warfare in the Sea of Marmara and the battleship Barbaros is sunk by a submarine.
April 28, 1915
First Battle of Krithia.
April 30, 1915
Sultanhisar torpedo boat sinks British submarine E-2.
6-8 May 1915
Second Battle of Krithia.
May 12, 1915
The Muavenet-i Milliye torpedo boat torpedoed and sank the British battleship Goliath.
May 14, 1915
Churchill and Admiral Fisher resigned.
May 19, 1915:
Unsuccessful attack by Liman Von Sanders on the Anzacs at the Ariburnu landing point with a force of 42,000 men. The Turks retreated with 10,000 casualties.
May 25, 1915
German submarine U-21 sinks British battleship Trumph. The same submarine sinks British battleship Majestic in front of her.
June 1, 1915
Mustafa Kemal is promoted to Colonel.
4-6 June 1915
Third Krithia battle.
June 21, 1915
Battle of Kerevizdere.
July 4, 1915
Atatürk, together with Chief of Staff İzzettin (Çalışlar) Bey, visited the trenches of the 18th Regiment at Cesarettepesi and gave some directives for the reinforcement of the positions there.
10 July 1915
Tasir-i Efkar newspaper reporter Ferit Bey’s visit to Atatürk at the 19th Division Headquarters.
July 13, 1915
A new attack by the British and French on Seddülbahir was prevented only by the advance of the reserve units.
July 17, 1915
Gallipoli Governor Süreyya (Yiğit) Bey and Maydos (Eceabat) District Governor Rahmi Bey visit Atatürk at the 19th Division Headquarters and spend the night at the headquarters.
July 19, 1915
Atatürk, together with Chief of Staff İzzettin (Çalışlar) Bey, arrived at Kemalyeri, where the 3rd Army Corps Headquarters was located, in the afternoon and attended the welcoming ceremony for Crown Prince Yusuf İzzettin Efendi.
July 28, 1915
Atatürk’s visit to the 27th and 57th Regiment fronts with Chief of Staff İzzettin (Çalışlar) Bey.
July 30, 1915
3rd Corps Commander Esat (Bülkat) Pasha, together with Chief of Staff Fahrettin (Altay) Bey, visited Atatürk at the 19th Division Headquarters.
6-7 August 1915
The British landed at Suvla Port and won the First Battle of Anafartalar.
8-9 August 1915
Allied Powers evacuate Seddülbahir.
August 10, 1915
The Turks launched a comprehensive Conkbayiri offensive under the leadership of Anafartalar Group Commander Colonel Mustafa Kemal.
August 14, 1915
The French submarine Mariot sank after getting caught in the nets.
August 17, 1915
The Battle of Kireçtepe was won.
21 August 1915
The 2nd Battle of Anafartalar was won.
September 1, 1915
Mustafa Kemal was awarded the “Combat Silver Medal of Merit” for his outstanding achievements in the Anafartalar Group Command.
September 2, 1915
Mustafa Kemal writes a letter of thanks to Dr. Ernest Jackh, an official at the German Embassy in Istanbul, who collected and sent money for the Ottoman soldiers wounded and injured in the Gallipoli Wars.
September 4, 1915
Mustafa Kemal goes to the 4th and 8th Division fronts in Anafartalar and inspects them. Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha’s response to 5th Army Commander Liman von Sanders’ suggestion dated August 29, 1915 – regarding the new arrangement in the Anafartalar Group: “I have deemed it appropriate, upon your high suggestion, that the Anafartalar Group should continue, that the divisions in this group should form only the 2nd and 15th Corps for now, and that the Group Command should be made by the 16th Corps Commander Mustafa Kemal Bey.”
September 6, 1915
Bulgaria joins the war on the side of Turkey and Germany.
September 14, 1915
Mustafa Kemal’s French letter to Sultane Petroff, wife of Bulgarian General Petroff, from Çanakkale: “…the enemy forces, which were previously defeated by me at Arıburnu, were completely paralyzed this time at Anafartalar after months had passed. My general is probably aware of this; but I think he would be much happier if he learned what was happening directly from me…
September 20, 1915
Mustafa Kemal falls ill. Marshal Liman von Sanders comes to the Anafartalar Group Headquarters, wishes him a speedy recovery, and then sends his personal physician away.
September 23, 1915
Mustafa Kemal receives Dr. Ernest Jackh, an official of the German Embassy in Istanbul, in his tent.
September 24, 1915
The arrival of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha, accompanied by the Director of the Operations Department of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant Colonel İsmet (İnönü) Bey, at Gallipoli.
September 26, 1915
Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha went to the Northern Group Headquarters in the morning, then visited Conkbayırı – which belongs to the Anafartalar Group front – and returned to the 5th Army Headquarters in Gallipoli.
September 27, 1915
Mustafa Kemal’s letter to Marshal Liman von Sanders, Commander of the 5th Army, requesting his release from the Anafartalar Group Command: “…Recently, His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief duly honored us with his visit to the Northern, Southern and Asia Groups; however, by not wanting to recognize the existence of the Anafartalar Group, he deprived us of the honor of his visit. …While the feelings of His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief towards me are thus known, it is impossible for me to serve in the army under the same conditions. I have the honor to ask Your Excellency to consider me as having resigned from the Group Command from now on and to determine the further procedures regarding me.”
September 30, 1915
The letter of the 5th Army Commander Marshal Liman von Sanders, who submitted a petition to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha requesting Mustafa Kemal’s pardon from the Anafartalar Group Command, but requesting that it not be accepted: “…I cannot support this petition. Because I know and appreciate Mustafa Kemal Bey as a very talented, competent and brave officer whose services the homeland absolutely needs in this great war. …I request that Your Excellency do me the favor of rejecting the letter of separation, which I have not yet attached, by expressing his trust.”
October 11, 1915:
The evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula by the Allied Powers occurs for the first time.
October 17, 1915
General Hamilton leaves the front in the Çanakkale region, handing over command to General Birdwood.
October 26, 1915
Mustafa Kemal was appointed as the commander of the 16th Corps, which would be formed by merging the 9th, 11th and 12th Divisions, by the Ministry of Commander-in-Chief, and was tasked with commanding the “Anafartalar Group” with the authority of the Corps Commander.
October 30, 1915
Capture of the French submarine Turquoise.
31 October 1915
Deputy Commander-in-Chief Enver Pasha visits the Anafartalar Group Headquarters, meets with Atatürk, and then rides to İsmailoğlu Hill on horseback.
November 3, 1915
Ayan and the Delegation of Deputies coming from Istanbul to Gallipoli went to the Anafartalar Group Headquarters to visit Mustafa Kemal and tour the front together.
6 November 1915
The capture of the British submarine E-20, which had passed through Çanakkale and entered the Marmara Sea.
November 7, 1915
British War Cabinet’s decision to evacuate Çanakkale.
November 10, 1915
The French submarine Turquoise is given the name “Corporal Müstecip” in a ceremony attended by Enver Pasha.
December 5, 1915
Marshal Liman von Sanders arrives at the Anafartalar Group Headquarters and gives Mustafa Kemal the letter of permission for air exchange that he brought with him.
6 December 1915
Allied Powers prepare to evacuate the Gallipoli Peninsula.
December 8, 1915
Fevzi (Çakmak) Pasha, who was appointed as the Deputy Commander of the Anafartalar Group upon Atatürk’s permission for a change of air, arrived at the Anafartalar Group Headquarters.
December 10, 1915
Atatürk’s departure from Çanakkale to Istanbul, accompanied by his guests Fethi (Okyar), Bahattin Şakir and Tevfik Rüştü (Aras).
December 11, 1915
Mustafa Kemal arrives in Istanbul from Çanakkale.
December 19-20, 1915
The Allied Forces evacuated the trenches they occupied and secretly withdrew from the Anafartalar, Arıburnu region at night (The evacuation in this region had been carried out secretly in recent days, taking advantage of the existing fog. However, the evacuation, which included the majority of the troops and equipment, was carried out at night. The British withdrew from the Seddülbahir region on the night of January 8/9, 1916.)
8-9 January 1916
Allies evacuate Seddülbahir.
January 9, 1916
5th Army Commander Marshal Liman von Sanders’ telegram from Alçıtepe to the Office of the Commander-in-Chief at 8.45 a.m. – after the British withdrew from the Gallipoli peninsula -: “Thank God, the Gallipoli peninsula has been completely cleared of the enemy. Other details will be provided separately.”
On February 1, 1916,
Atatürk was awarded the “Second Degree Ottoman Medal” for his outstanding achievements during his time as Commander of the Anafartalar Group.
