1915:03 The New Plan of Attack

The New Plan Of Attack

 

On 18 March, 18 battleships attempted to force their way through the Dardanelles. They failed. Mines sank three ships and three others were badly damaged. The remaining fleet withdrew - a new plan was needed.

 

General Sir Ian Hamilton was appointed to command the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF). This included the 29th British Division, the Royal Naval Division, a French Expeditionary Force and the Anzacs - 75,000 men.

 

Hamilton's plan was to land his forces on all available beaches in the south of the Gallipoli Peninsula but the preparation for the 'landing' was conducted in such a blaze of publicity that everyone, including the Turks, knew an attack was going to take place.

 

"There is no doubt that the Dardanelles is our destination. Few of us...ever thought we would get our baptism of fire on Turkish soil. How the world goes round, and we with it."
4/60A Lieutenant Charles W Saunders, NZ Engineers

 

The main landing would be at Cape Helles by the British Division.  The Anzacs were to land on the beaches to the north of Gaba Tepe, seize the high ground of Chunuk Bair and move across the Narrows. This would block in the Turkish soldiers, trapping them in the south.

 

With a plan in mind, troops boarded ships from Egypt and set sail for the island of Lemnos.