|
|
|
|
On the 26th April the fortress of Sedd-el-Bahr was captured, this allowed the link-up of the four Helles beaches, X, W, V &S. The Allies would now attempt to win the high ground around Krithia.
|
|
|
|
The walls of Sedd-el-Bahr after the naval bombardment.
|
|
1st Battle.
The vital high ground of Achi Baba was an objective for Hamilton as possession would allow his artillery to command a large area of the southern peninsula. Hunter-Weston was to attack on the 28th April and did in fact take the heights. However, a strong counter offensive drove them off again with 3,000 casualties from his force of 14,000.
|
|
Confusion and poor command and control continued to dog the operation.
The Anzacs had suffered some 40% casualties, and throughout the forces who had been put ashore many were occupied “digging in” at Hamilton’s command, and most of the others were busy carrying water and supplies ashore. Hamilton was digging in believing that there were no more troops available to him while Kitchener had told Sir John Maxwell in Egypt that Hamilton could have as many men as could be spared from Egypt. No-one told Hamilton. Only later was this further confusion cleared up, meanwhile the Turkish forces were reinforced and launched their offensive on the 1st May. While their attack was beaten back it did inflict heavy casualties on Hamilton’s forces.
|
|
|
|
|
2nd battle.
With a change in the disposition of his forces, and the receipt of reinforcements from Egypt, Hamilton planned another offensive on Achi Baba, which started on the 6th May. By the 8th May some 400 to 600 yards of advance had been made. There were severe casualties, especially in the Anzac units which had been shipped to the Helles from the Anzac beaches. Around this time, with the operation not going as well as had been hoped, there were political changes back home.
|
|
Fisher, First Sea Lord, resigned as he did not wish to see any more naval forces assigned to the Dardanelles; Asquith had to form a coalition government and Churchill was removed as First Lord of the
Admiralty.
|
|
On the 19th May the Turks launches an attack of 30,000 men on the Anzac forces dug in around their landing beaches, these had recently been reinforced by new Anzac units. Conditions for the
Australasian forces were very bad, and they were constantly short of water, but not bravery. The Turks suffered heavy losses and were beaten back.
|
|
|
|
|
3rd battle.
On the 24th May Hunter-Weston was promoted to Lieutenant-General and command of all the British forces in the Helles area, now designated as VIII Corps. Hunter-Weston seemed to have an aversion to night attacks, so some 30,000 men advanced in broad daylight on the 4th June against some 25,000 plus Turks, who were in prepared positions and with strong artillery support. the advancing British forces had French forces on their right wing. Unfortunately the Turks drove back the French assault. This meant the British right flank was now exposed and fell back, in consequence the British line drew back gradually as each unit tried to prevent the exposure of its right flank. The British suffered some 4,000 casualties.
|
|
|
|
|
The situation was now considered to be such that more forces would be needed. The Commission concluded, June 7th; “To reinforce Sir Ian Hamilton with the three remaining divisions of the New Army with a view to an assault in
the second week of July.” This reinforcement would include the 6th Battalion York and Lancs.
|
|
On the 7th June Hamilton had sent a telegram reviewing the situation; “Without additional troops
sufficient to provide for reliefs, as well as reinforcements, the men are undoubtedly getting worn out, and this will end in reducing our forces at Cape Helles to position of defenders in state of close
siege, as is practically the case at Australian and New Zealand Army Corps already.......”
|
|
As mentioned above, he would receive New Army units, including the 11th Division with the 6th York & Lancs. “Your difficulties are fully recognised by the Cabinet, who are determined to support you.
We are sending you three divisions of the New Army. The first of these will leave about the end of this week, and the other two will be sent as transport is available. The last of the three divisions ought to reach you not later than the first fortnight in July. While steadily pressing the enemy, there seems no reason for running any premature risks in the meantime.” In late June the Cabinet decided to send a further two divisions to Hamilton, the 4th & 5th.
Hamilton had decided he would use his strengthened forces for a surprise landing in Suvla Bay.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
