Battle of the Straits. Allied Gallipoli operation
В stories of all countries and peoples there are peculiar fatal or bifurcation points, which largely determine the course of history. Sometimes these points are visible to the naked eye, for example, the notorious “choice of faith” by the Kiev Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich. Some of them go unnoticed by many. For example, what can you say about 8 January 1894? Meanwhile, on this day the Russian Emperor Alexander III and French President Sadi Carnot ratified the military convention signed earlier (August 27 1892) by the chiefs of the general staffs of Russia and France (N. Obruchev and R. Buadefrom).
The traditional vector of Russian politics by the unexpected decision of the emperor suddenly changed to 180 degrees. Now the nearest neighbors — Germany and Austria-Hungary — were inevitably becoming enemies of Russia, who for many years had been hers, though not too good and reliable, but, nevertheless, friends and allies. Austria-Hungary, as we remember, in alliance with Russia many times fought against the Ottoman Empire, and remained neutral during the tragic Crimean War for Russia. In Prussia, which became the “core” of the united Germany, there was a kind of cult of Russia since the Napoleonic wars, and the tradition of kissing the hands of the Russian emperor was observed by German generals until the beginning of World War I. Prussia was the only relatively friendly Russian state during the Crimean War, Germany - during the Russian-Japanese.
To make matters worse, the British Empire was now becoming the hypocritical ally of Russia - its most terrible and irreconcilable enemy for centuries. British politicians have always viewed Russia as a barbaric country, the only purpose of which was the supply of cheap raw materials and the war for British interests. Pavel I, who dared to challenge London, was killed for British money by Russian aristocrats, corrupted by the rule of Catherine II. His eldest son, Alexander I, no longer left London’s will, and, contrary to the interests of Russia, obediently shed Russian blood on the fields of Europe. Another son of the murdered emperor, Nicholas I, who dared to allow himself some independence, was punished by the Crimean war and humiliating defeat - and then the fear literally paralyzed the rulers of Russia for many years: Bismarck openly called Alexander II and A.M. foreign policy actions. Gorchakov "scared politics."
The paradox was that, despite the continuous foreign policy pressure of Great Britain, it was always more profitable for Russia to have its enemy, who constantly, but not very seriously, harms on the outskirts (let us remember the famous saying of those years - “Englishwoman shits”) than “friend” ready to drink all of her blood under the pretext of fulfilling “allied obligations” to London.
Nicholas II, a weak and mediocre son of the “peacemaker” Alexander III, who ascended the throne of November 1 1894 (October 20 old style), continued his father’s international policy.
Russia was sick, her society was split, the country was torn by social contradictions, and P. Stolypin was absolutely right when he spoke about the destruction of any upheavals and the need for decades of peace. The defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (the main cause of which was the stupidity and greed of the emperor's closest relatives) was one of the reasons for two revolutions, and it seemed that it was also a warning about the inadmissibility of such adventures in the future. Alas, Nicholas II did not understand and learned nothing. In August, 1914 of the year he allowed the Russian empire to be drawn into a big and fatal war for the interests of Britain, which was always hostile to Russia, which openly counted on the Russian "cannon fodder" of France and Serbia, a state that almost then practiced terrorism at the state level.
We often hear that the war with Germany was inevitable, because, having dealt with France, Wilhelm would have certainly crushed the rest of Russia without allies. In my opinion, this thesis is very doubtful. In those years, Russia and Germany simply did not have any irreconcilable contradictions and real reasons for war. Schlieffen’s plan envisaged a quick defeat of France with the subsequent regrouping of troops to repel the offensive, which completed its mobilization of the Russian army — but did not at all imply a mandatory offensive into the territory of Russia. The main adversary of the German politicians of those years was not even considered France, but Great Britain, Russia was considered as a natural ally, and already in November 1914, the ruling circles of Germany began to consider options for a separate peace with our country - according to the Bolshevik scenario: without annexations and contributions . Proponents of rapprochement with Russia were the chief of the German General Staff E. von Falkenhain, Grand Admiral A. von Tirpitz, Chancellor Ch. Von Betman-Golweg, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Gottlieb von Yagov, and Hindenburg and Ludendorf. But a country dependent on foreign creditors does not have its own interests, and there is no independent foreign policy - Nicholas II refused to negotiate both in 1915 and in 1916. And thus he signed the verdict on himself and the Russian Empire.
The most surprising thing was that Russia in World War I, in essence, did not have any intelligible goals and objectives, apart from the desire to fulfill the notorious "allied obligations" and protect the weak, but cocky Balkan "brothers." But 29-30 in October 1914, the Turkish-German squadron shelled Odessa, Sevastopol, Feodosia and Novorossiysk.
Now, after the entry of the Ottoman Empire into the war, Russian unfortunate patriots could indulge themselves with futile dreams of the Black Sea straits, which were so desirable. These dreams were fruitless because there was no reason to believe that here the British would not repeat the successful trick with Malta, which they captured from Napoleon, but did not give to either the "rightful owners" - Knights-Johannits, or his ally, Paul I, who became the master of this order. And in this case, the stakes were much higher: it was not a question of a Mediterranean island, but of strategic straits, controlling which could be held by the throat of Russia. Such regions are not presented, and they don’t voluntarily leave (the Strait of Gibraltar, despite constant protests from the “allied” London of Spain, is still under British control).
Plans for an operation to capture the Dardanelles were considered by the British Defense Committee back in 1906 year. Now, with the start of World War I, the British had a real opportunity for such an operation - under the pretext of helping Russia. And already 1 of September 1914 of the year (before the Ottoman Empire entered the war) First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill held a meeting at which the “Dardanelles Question” was considered.
3 November of the same year, the Anglo-French squadron fired on the external fortifications of the Dardanelles. The French ships attacked the forts of Orkan and Kum-Kale, the British battle cruisers Indomitable and Indefatigable struck the forts Helles and Sedd el-Bar. One of the British shells hit the main powder cellar of Fort Sedd el-Bar, as a result of which a powerful explosion occurred.
It was simply impossible for the Allies to act more stupidly: without having either a military plan or the necessary forces to carry out further operations, they clearly stated their intentions, giving Turkey time to prepare for defense. The Turks understood everything correctly: by the end of 1914, they managed to carry out significant work to strengthen their positions in the Gallipoli area, placing Essad Pasha’s 3rd Army Corps there. They received significant assistance from German officers sent as instructors. Stationary coastal forts were modernized, torpedo stations and mobile artillery batteries, 10 rows of minefields and anti-submarine nets were installed in the sea. Turkish ships in the Sea of Marmara were ready to support the defense of the straits with their artillery, and in the event of a breakthrough by enemy ships, to attack them in the central part of the strait.
Meanwhile, the British were very worried about the possibility of an attack on Egypt and the Suez Canal. The traditional hopes of the British laid on the palace coup, which they planned to organize in Constantinople. But William Churchill, believing that the preemptive operation on the coast of Turkey itself would be the best defense of Egypt, proposed to attack Gallipoli. In addition, the Russian command itself gave the British a reason to seize the Dardanelles, which were so much desired by Russia: the British and French in early January 1915 asked Russia to step up the actions of their army on the Eastern Front. The Russian headquarters agreed on the condition that the Allies would hold a large demonstration in the area of the Straits - in order to divert the attention of the Turks from the Caucasian front. Instead of a "demonstration", the British decided to conduct a large-scale operation to seize the Straits - under the specious pretext of "helping the Russian allies." When the Russian pseudo-strategists realized it was already too late, the British stubbornly shied away from discussing the future status of the Straits. Only when it finally became clear that the Dardanelles operation had failed, in London “generously” they agreed on the future accession of Constantinople to Russia. They did not intend to fulfill this promise under any circumstances, and no doubt it would have been very easy to find a reason for this. As a last resort, a “color revolution” of the February type would be organized:
- without the slightest embarrassment, the representative of the French General Staff Captain de Maleici wrote about those events.
What a twist of fate: now we should be grateful to the dedicated soldiers and officers of Turkey (the country that was at war with us then) for the courage with which they repelled the attack of the “allies” on the Dardanelles. Otherwise, the British naval base would now be located in the straits, which would block them for Russia at any convenient (and even not very convenient) occasion.
The Dardanelles are a long (about 70 km) strait between the Gallipoli peninsula and the coast of Asia Minor. In three places it narrows significantly, sometimes to 1200 meters. The terrain on the shores of the strait is strongly crossed, there are hills. Thus, the Dardanelles by nature itself are ideally prepared to protect against the enemy from the sea.
On the other hand, in the immediate vicinity of the entrance there are three islands (Imbros, Tenedos and Lemnos), which can be used as a base for amphibious units.
The operation in the Dardanelles began on February 19 1915 (a little later than the scheduled date).
Fleet The Allied force consisted of 80 ships, including the battleship Queen Elisabeth, 16 battleships, the battlecruiser Inflexible, 5 light cruisers, 22 destroyers, 24 minesweepers, 9 submarines, an aircraft carrier, and a hospital ship. If auxiliary ships are included, the total number of ships participating in the operation rises to 119.
The Russian cruiser Askold, which had previously acted against German raiders in the Indian Ocean, was also part of the French squadron.
The result of the shelling of the Turkish forts was unsatisfactory. Admiral Sekvil Cardin was forced to admit:
But February 25 seemed to change things for the better. Long-range large-caliber ship artillery still crushed the stationary Turkish forts, and minesweepers began to work with minefields. Admiral Cardin sent a message to London that in two weeks he would be able to occupy Constantinople. As a result, grain prices in Chicago even decreased (a large amount of it was expected to arrive from southern Russia). However, when attempting to enter the Allied ships of the strait, the mortars and field howitzers of the Turks, hidden behind the hills, entered into action. An unpleasant surprise was the mobile batteries put forward by the bank, which quickly changed their positions. Having lost several ships from artillery fire and in minefields, the Anglo-French ships were forced to depart.
The next attempt to break through was made on March 18, 1915. At that time, the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet fired at other Turkish ports to distract the enemy. The results were disappointing for the allies: three ships sank (the French battleship "Bouvet", the English "Ocean" and "Irresistible"), and several were seriously damaged.
On this day, Turkish corporal Koca Seyit, who became a national hero in Turkey, accomplished his feat. He alone managed to bring three 240-mm shells, which destroyed the British battleship Ocean.
After the war, Seyit did not even succeed in raising such a projectile: “When they (the British) break through again, I will raise it,” he told reporters.
British admiral John Fisher commented on the outcome of the fight with the phrase:
A little obscene, but very self-critical, isn't it?
Admiral Cardin, who was declared responsible for the failure of this operation, was removed from office. He was replaced by John de Robek.
Having failed at sea, the Allied command began to prepare the ground operation. The island of Limnos (located in 70 km from the entrance to the Dardanelles) was selected as a base for the airborne troops, to which the 80 soldiers were quickly taken to 000.
The French (who were represented mainly by parts from Senegal) decided to attack the forts of Kum-Kale and Orkanie on the Asian side of the strait. They were disembarked (25 on April 1915) by the Russian cruiser Askold and the French Jeanne d'Arc. "Askold", in contrast to the French ship that received a shell in the bow artillery tower, was not harmed by enemy fire. However, the Russian sailors who ruled the landing boats suffered losses: four were killed, nine were injured. Senegalese (about 3000 people) initially managed to capture two villages, taking prisoners near 500, but after the approach of the Turkish reserves were forced to go on the defensive, and then - to evacuate. In this case, one of the mouth was captured.
The British chose the European coast of the strait - the Gallipoli Peninsula (the length of 90 km, width - 17 kilometers, located in the European part of Turkey between the Dardanelles and the Saros Gulf in the Aegean Sea) as a landing site for land units. In addition to the British units proper, the Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and Indian military units also had to storm the Turkish positions.
They were joined by volunteers from Greece and even the “Zion squad of mule drivers” (Jews, many of whom were emigrants from Russia). In the area chosen for the landing of troops there were few roads (moreover, bad ones), but many hills and ravines, moreover, the heights dominating the terrain were occupied by Turks. But the British self-confidently believed that the “wild natives” would not stand up to the onslaught of their well-armed and disciplined troops.
The brunt of the British was aimed at Cape Gelles (tip of the Gallipoli peninsula).
Australians and New Zealanders (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - ANZAC) were to attack from the west, their goal was Cape Gaba-Tepe.
The offensive of the British was preceded by a half-hour bombardment of the coast and attacks by planes located on the island of Tenedos. Then the landing operation began. Three battalions of the 29 Infantry Division were planted on the converted coal mine River Clyde. The other units, consisting of three infantry companies and a platoon of marines, were to reach the shore in large boats that led the tugs (eight tugboats, each of which led four boats). These tugs and boats Turks very successfully covered with fire from field guns and machine guns. Almost all of them were destroyed. The position of the units following on the coal miner turned out to be a little better: the ship managed to land on the shore and over the bridges imposed on the boats it had taken with them, the landing began.
The first two companies of the attackers were literally “mowed down” by enemy fire, but the soldiers of the third, who also suffered losses, managed to dig in. The paratroopers, who had already entered the footbridge, but did not have time to land on the shore, were carried off by them to the Gelles peninsula and killed by fire from Turkish machine guns. As a result, at the cost of losing 17 thousands of people, the Allies were able to take two bridgeheads (depths up to 5 kilometers), which were called ANZAC and Helles.
This date - 25 April, is now a national holiday in Australia and New Zealand. Previously, it was called “ANZAC Day”, now, after World War II, it is Memorial Day.
It was not possible to develop success, the Turks pulled up reserves, and the airborne units were forced to go on the defensive. Their situation became especially difficult after the German U-21 25 submarine in May 1915 sank the British battleship Triumph, and the 26 battleship Majestic. As a result, the ships were withdrawn to the Bay of Mudros, and the troops on the coast were left without artillery support. Both the British and the Turks increased the number of their armies, but neither one nor the other could achieve a decisive advantage.
It was in the battles for the Gallipoli peninsula that the star of the army officer Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who will go down in history, rose under the name of Kemal Ataturk. Throughout Turkey, then his words were addressed to the soldiers before the next attack on the Australians: “I do not order you to attack, I order you to die!”
As a result, the 57 th regiment of the 19 Turkish division was killed almost completely, but held the position.
In August, 1915, north of the ANZAC bridgehead, another was captured - Suvla.
August 7 Day 1915, when they were thrown into a hopeless attack on Turkish positions and suffered huge losses 8-th and 10-th Australian cavalry regiments (their soldiers were involved, as the infantrymen) became a landmark for this country. On the one hand, this is the black date of the calendar, but, on the other, it is said that the Australian nation was born on that day. The losses of hundreds (and in the total, thousands) of young men for a sparsely populated Australia were shocking, and the image of an arrogant English officer sending Australians to die, entered the national consciousness as a stamp.
Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener, who visited Gallipoli in November 1915, called the Maxim machine guns "the devil's tool" (the Germans used the MG.08 by the Turks).
A total of stubborn but fruitless battles on these bridgeheads went on for 259 days. The British troops could not advance deep into the peninsula.
As a result, it was decided to terminate the Gallipoli operation. 18-19 December 1915 British troops were evacuated from the ANZAC and Suvla bridgeheads.
Unlike combat operations, the evacuation was well organized, and there were almost no losses. And on January 9 1916, the last soldiers left the southernmost bridgehead, Gelles.
The initiator of the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) operation, Winston Churchill, was forced to resign from the post of first lord of the Admiralty. This plunged him into a state of deepest depression: “I am a complete man,” he said then.
The total losses of the allies were enormous: about 252 of thousands of people killed and wounded (in all, 489 of thousands of soldiers and officers took part in the battles). Actually, British losses amounted to about half of them, the losses of the ANZAC corps - about 30 thousand people. 6 armadillos were also lost by the allies. The Turkish army lost about 186 thousand killed, wounded and dead from disease.
The defeat in the Dardanelles operation was a heavy blow to the military reputation of the British army and navy. In many ways, precisely because of the failure of the allies in this adventure, Bulgaria entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers.
Alexander III and Sadi Carnot. Postcard
Friends and Enemies
The traditional vector of Russian politics by the unexpected decision of the emperor suddenly changed to 180 degrees. Now the nearest neighbors — Germany and Austria-Hungary — were inevitably becoming enemies of Russia, who for many years had been hers, though not too good and reliable, but, nevertheless, friends and allies. Austria-Hungary, as we remember, in alliance with Russia many times fought against the Ottoman Empire, and remained neutral during the tragic Crimean War for Russia. In Prussia, which became the “core” of the united Germany, there was a kind of cult of Russia since the Napoleonic wars, and the tradition of kissing the hands of the Russian emperor was observed by German generals until the beginning of World War I. Prussia was the only relatively friendly Russian state during the Crimean War, Germany - during the Russian-Japanese.
To make matters worse, the British Empire was now becoming the hypocritical ally of Russia - its most terrible and irreconcilable enemy for centuries. British politicians have always viewed Russia as a barbaric country, the only purpose of which was the supply of cheap raw materials and the war for British interests. Pavel I, who dared to challenge London, was killed for British money by Russian aristocrats, corrupted by the rule of Catherine II. His eldest son, Alexander I, no longer left London’s will, and, contrary to the interests of Russia, obediently shed Russian blood on the fields of Europe. Another son of the murdered emperor, Nicholas I, who dared to allow himself some independence, was punished by the Crimean war and humiliating defeat - and then the fear literally paralyzed the rulers of Russia for many years: Bismarck openly called Alexander II and A.M. foreign policy actions. Gorchakov "scared politics."
The paradox was that, despite the continuous foreign policy pressure of Great Britain, it was always more profitable for Russia to have its enemy, who constantly, but not very seriously, harms on the outskirts (let us remember the famous saying of those years - “Englishwoman shits”) than “friend” ready to drink all of her blood under the pretext of fulfilling “allied obligations” to London.
I world in Russia: a war without tasks and goals
Nicholas II, a weak and mediocre son of the “peacemaker” Alexander III, who ascended the throne of November 1 1894 (October 20 old style), continued his father’s international policy.
Russia was sick, her society was split, the country was torn by social contradictions, and P. Stolypin was absolutely right when he spoke about the destruction of any upheavals and the need for decades of peace. The defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (the main cause of which was the stupidity and greed of the emperor's closest relatives) was one of the reasons for two revolutions, and it seemed that it was also a warning about the inadmissibility of such adventures in the future. Alas, Nicholas II did not understand and learned nothing. In August, 1914 of the year he allowed the Russian empire to be drawn into a big and fatal war for the interests of Britain, which was always hostile to Russia, which openly counted on the Russian "cannon fodder" of France and Serbia, a state that almost then practiced terrorism at the state level.
We often hear that the war with Germany was inevitable, because, having dealt with France, Wilhelm would have certainly crushed the rest of Russia without allies. In my opinion, this thesis is very doubtful. In those years, Russia and Germany simply did not have any irreconcilable contradictions and real reasons for war. Schlieffen’s plan envisaged a quick defeat of France with the subsequent regrouping of troops to repel the offensive, which completed its mobilization of the Russian army — but did not at all imply a mandatory offensive into the territory of Russia. The main adversary of the German politicians of those years was not even considered France, but Great Britain, Russia was considered as a natural ally, and already in November 1914, the ruling circles of Germany began to consider options for a separate peace with our country - according to the Bolshevik scenario: without annexations and contributions . Proponents of rapprochement with Russia were the chief of the German General Staff E. von Falkenhain, Grand Admiral A. von Tirpitz, Chancellor Ch. Von Betman-Golweg, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Gottlieb von Yagov, and Hindenburg and Ludendorf. But a country dependent on foreign creditors does not have its own interests, and there is no independent foreign policy - Nicholas II refused to negotiate both in 1915 and in 1916. And thus he signed the verdict on himself and the Russian Empire.
The most surprising thing was that Russia in World War I, in essence, did not have any intelligible goals and objectives, apart from the desire to fulfill the notorious "allied obligations" and protect the weak, but cocky Balkan "brothers." But 29-30 in October 1914, the Turkish-German squadron shelled Odessa, Sevastopol, Feodosia and Novorossiysk.
German battleship "Goeben". Under the name "Sultan Selim Yavuz" on October 29 1914, Sevastopol attacked, sinking the Prut mine transport and the destroyer Lieutenant Pushchin
Strait Dreams
Now, after the entry of the Ottoman Empire into the war, Russian unfortunate patriots could indulge themselves with futile dreams of the Black Sea straits, which were so desirable. These dreams were fruitless because there was no reason to believe that here the British would not repeat the successful trick with Malta, which they captured from Napoleon, but did not give to either the "rightful owners" - Knights-Johannits, or his ally, Paul I, who became the master of this order. And in this case, the stakes were much higher: it was not a question of a Mediterranean island, but of strategic straits, controlling which could be held by the throat of Russia. Such regions are not presented, and they don’t voluntarily leave (the Strait of Gibraltar, despite constant protests from the “allied” London of Spain, is still under British control).
W. Churchill and the "Dardanelles Question"
Plans for an operation to capture the Dardanelles were considered by the British Defense Committee back in 1906 year. Now, with the start of World War I, the British had a real opportunity for such an operation - under the pretext of helping Russia. And already 1 of September 1914 of the year (before the Ottoman Empire entered the war) First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill held a meeting at which the “Dardanelles Question” was considered.
First Lord of the Admiralty Churchill inspects the Royal Navy Cadets, 1912 year
3 November of the same year, the Anglo-French squadron fired on the external fortifications of the Dardanelles. The French ships attacked the forts of Orkan and Kum-Kale, the British battle cruisers Indomitable and Indefatigable struck the forts Helles and Sedd el-Bar. One of the British shells hit the main powder cellar of Fort Sedd el-Bar, as a result of which a powerful explosion occurred.
It was simply impossible for the Allies to act more stupidly: without having either a military plan or the necessary forces to carry out further operations, they clearly stated their intentions, giving Turkey time to prepare for defense. The Turks understood everything correctly: by the end of 1914, they managed to carry out significant work to strengthen their positions in the Gallipoli area, placing Essad Pasha’s 3rd Army Corps there. They received significant assistance from German officers sent as instructors. Stationary coastal forts were modernized, torpedo stations and mobile artillery batteries, 10 rows of minefields and anti-submarine nets were installed in the sea. Turkish ships in the Sea of Marmara were ready to support the defense of the straits with their artillery, and in the event of a breakthrough by enemy ships, to attack them in the central part of the strait.
Meanwhile, the British were very worried about the possibility of an attack on Egypt and the Suez Canal. The traditional hopes of the British laid on the palace coup, which they planned to organize in Constantinople. But William Churchill, believing that the preemptive operation on the coast of Turkey itself would be the best defense of Egypt, proposed to attack Gallipoli. In addition, the Russian command itself gave the British a reason to seize the Dardanelles, which were so much desired by Russia: the British and French in early January 1915 asked Russia to step up the actions of their army on the Eastern Front. The Russian headquarters agreed on the condition that the Allies would hold a large demonstration in the area of the Straits - in order to divert the attention of the Turks from the Caucasian front. Instead of a "demonstration", the British decided to conduct a large-scale operation to seize the Straits - under the specious pretext of "helping the Russian allies." When the Russian pseudo-strategists realized it was already too late, the British stubbornly shied away from discussing the future status of the Straits. Only when it finally became clear that the Dardanelles operation had failed, in London “generously” they agreed on the future accession of Constantinople to Russia. They did not intend to fulfill this promise under any circumstances, and no doubt it would have been very easy to find a reason for this. As a last resort, a “color revolution” of the February type would be organized:
“The February revolution was due to the conspiracy of the British and the liberal bourgeoisie. The inspiration was Ambassador Buchanan, the technical performer is Guchkov. ”
,- without the slightest embarrassment, the representative of the French General Staff Captain de Maleici wrote about those events.
What a twist of fate: now we should be grateful to the dedicated soldiers and officers of Turkey (the country that was at war with us then) for the courage with which they repelled the attack of the “allies” on the Dardanelles. Otherwise, the British naval base would now be located in the straits, which would block them for Russia at any convenient (and even not very convenient) occasion.
Turkish soldiers of World War I
A bit of geography
The Dardanelles are a long (about 70 km) strait between the Gallipoli peninsula and the coast of Asia Minor. In three places it narrows significantly, sometimes to 1200 meters. The terrain on the shores of the strait is strongly crossed, there are hills. Thus, the Dardanelles by nature itself are ideally prepared to protect against the enemy from the sea.
On the other hand, in the immediate vicinity of the entrance there are three islands (Imbros, Tenedos and Lemnos), which can be used as a base for amphibious units.
First phase of the Allied operations in the Dardanelles
The operation in the Dardanelles began on February 19 1915 (a little later than the scheduled date).
Fleet The Allied force consisted of 80 ships, including the battleship Queen Elisabeth, 16 battleships, the battlecruiser Inflexible, 5 light cruisers, 22 destroyers, 24 minesweepers, 9 submarines, an aircraft carrier, and a hospital ship. If auxiliary ships are included, the total number of ships participating in the operation rises to 119.
The battleship Queen Elisabeth, picture 1924
Hospital ship "Aquitania"
The Russian cruiser Askold, which had previously acted against German raiders in the Indian Ocean, was also part of the French squadron.
Cruiser 1 Rank "Askold"
The result of the shelling of the Turkish forts was unsatisfactory. Admiral Sekvil Cardin was forced to admit:
“The result of the 19 February actions showed with my own eyes that the effect of bombardment from long positions on modern earth forts is insignificant. There were a lot of hits in the forts with ordinary 12-inch shells, but when the ships approached, they opened fire from all four forts. ”
But February 25 seemed to change things for the better. Long-range large-caliber ship artillery still crushed the stationary Turkish forts, and minesweepers began to work with minefields. Admiral Cardin sent a message to London that in two weeks he would be able to occupy Constantinople. As a result, grain prices in Chicago even decreased (a large amount of it was expected to arrive from southern Russia). However, when attempting to enter the Allied ships of the strait, the mortars and field howitzers of the Turks, hidden behind the hills, entered into action. An unpleasant surprise was the mobile batteries put forward by the bank, which quickly changed their positions. Having lost several ships from artillery fire and in minefields, the Anglo-French ships were forced to depart.
The next attempt to break through was made on March 18, 1915. At that time, the ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet fired at other Turkish ports to distract the enemy. The results were disappointing for the allies: three ships sank (the French battleship "Bouvet", the English "Ocean" and "Irresistible"), and several were seriously damaged.
Dardanelles operation, 18 March 2015
The French battleship Bouvet, which sank during the Allied Dardanelles operation
British cruiser "Irresistible" sinks, receiving critical damage
On this day, Turkish corporal Koca Seyit, who became a national hero in Turkey, accomplished his feat. He alone managed to bring three 240-mm shells, which destroyed the British battleship Ocean.
British battleship "Ocean"
After the war, Seyit did not even succeed in raising such a projectile: “When they (the British) break through again, I will raise it,” he told reporters.
Kodzha Seyit, posed photo with shell
Gallipoli peninsula, Eceabat city, Military historical park: in the foreground a sculptural composition - Kocja Seyit
British admiral John Fisher commented on the outcome of the fight with the phrase:
“Our fleet in the Dardanelles reminds of a defrocked monk intending to rape a virgin ... One long ago forgot how to do it, and the other one also had a dagger for a corsage!”
A little obscene, but very self-critical, isn't it?
Admiral Cardin, who was declared responsible for the failure of this operation, was removed from office. He was replaced by John de Robek.
Gallipol operation of Great Britain and France
Having failed at sea, the Allied command began to prepare the ground operation. The island of Limnos (located in 70 km from the entrance to the Dardanelles) was selected as a base for the airborne troops, to which the 80 soldiers were quickly taken to 000.
Lemnos Island on the map
The French (who were represented mainly by parts from Senegal) decided to attack the forts of Kum-Kale and Orkanie on the Asian side of the strait. They were disembarked (25 on April 1915) by the Russian cruiser Askold and the French Jeanne d'Arc. "Askold", in contrast to the French ship that received a shell in the bow artillery tower, was not harmed by enemy fire. However, the Russian sailors who ruled the landing boats suffered losses: four were killed, nine were injured. Senegalese (about 3000 people) initially managed to capture two villages, taking prisoners near 500, but after the approach of the Turkish reserves were forced to go on the defensive, and then - to evacuate. In this case, one of the mouth was captured.
The British chose the European coast of the strait - the Gallipoli Peninsula (the length of 90 km, width - 17 kilometers, located in the European part of Turkey between the Dardanelles and the Saros Gulf in the Aegean Sea) as a landing site for land units. In addition to the British units proper, the Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and Indian military units also had to storm the Turkish positions.
Australians and New Zealanders on the deck of the SS Lutzow transport ship
Indian soldiers of the British army
They were joined by volunteers from Greece and even the “Zion squad of mule drivers” (Jews, many of whom were emigrants from Russia). In the area chosen for the landing of troops there were few roads (moreover, bad ones), but many hills and ravines, moreover, the heights dominating the terrain were occupied by Turks. But the British self-confidently believed that the “wild natives” would not stand up to the onslaught of their well-armed and disciplined troops.
The brunt of the British was aimed at Cape Gelles (tip of the Gallipoli peninsula).
At Cape Gelles, 25 April 1915
Australians and New Zealanders (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - ANZAC) were to attack from the west, their goal was Cape Gaba-Tepe.
The offensive of the British was preceded by a half-hour bombardment of the coast and attacks by planes located on the island of Tenedos. Then the landing operation began. Three battalions of the 29 Infantry Division were planted on the converted coal mine River Clyde. The other units, consisting of three infantry companies and a platoon of marines, were to reach the shore in large boats that led the tugs (eight tugboats, each of which led four boats). These tugs and boats Turks very successfully covered with fire from field guns and machine guns. Almost all of them were destroyed. The position of the units following on the coal miner turned out to be a little better: the ship managed to land on the shore and over the bridges imposed on the boats it had taken with them, the landing began.
Turkish soldiers against enemy landing
The first two companies of the attackers were literally “mowed down” by enemy fire, but the soldiers of the third, who also suffered losses, managed to dig in. The paratroopers, who had already entered the footbridge, but did not have time to land on the shore, were carried off by them to the Gelles peninsula and killed by fire from Turkish machine guns. As a result, at the cost of losing 17 thousands of people, the Allies were able to take two bridgeheads (depths up to 5 kilometers), which were called ANZAC and Helles.
This date - 25 April, is now a national holiday in Australia and New Zealand. Previously, it was called “ANZAC Day”, now, after World War II, it is Memorial Day.
Soldiers of the Anzac Corps in Gallipoli
It was not possible to develop success, the Turks pulled up reserves, and the airborne units were forced to go on the defensive. Their situation became especially difficult after the German U-21 25 submarine in May 1915 sank the British battleship Triumph, and the 26 battleship Majestic. As a result, the ships were withdrawn to the Bay of Mudros, and the troops on the coast were left without artillery support. Both the British and the Turks increased the number of their armies, but neither one nor the other could achieve a decisive advantage.
Gallipoli peninsula, Eceabat city, Military historical park: positions of Turkish and British troops
It was in the battles for the Gallipoli peninsula that the star of the army officer Mustafa Kemal Pasha, who will go down in history, rose under the name of Kemal Ataturk. Throughout Turkey, then his words were addressed to the soldiers before the next attack on the Australians: “I do not order you to attack, I order you to die!”
As a result, the 57 th regiment of the 19 Turkish division was killed almost completely, but held the position.
Mustafa Kemal Pasha - on the left
In August, 1915, north of the ANZAC bridgehead, another was captured - Suvla.
August 7 Day 1915, when they were thrown into a hopeless attack on Turkish positions and suffered huge losses 8-th and 10-th Australian cavalry regiments (their soldiers were involved, as the infantrymen) became a landmark for this country. On the one hand, this is the black date of the calendar, but, on the other, it is said that the Australian nation was born on that day. The losses of hundreds (and in the total, thousands) of young men for a sparsely populated Australia were shocking, and the image of an arrogant English officer sending Australians to die, entered the national consciousness as a stamp.
Shot from the film "Gallipoli", 1981 year: Turkish machine gunner shoots the advancing Australians
Field Marshal Herbert Kitchener, who visited Gallipoli in November 1915, called the Maxim machine guns "the devil's tool" (the Germans used the MG.08 by the Turks).
Machine gun "Maxim MG.08"
A total of stubborn but fruitless battles on these bridgeheads went on for 259 days. The British troops could not advance deep into the peninsula.
A shot from the Australian film “Gallipoli”, 1981 year
Completion of the Gallipoli operation and evacuation of troops
As a result, it was decided to terminate the Gallipoli operation. 18-19 December 1915 British troops were evacuated from the ANZAC and Suvla bridgeheads.
Evacuation of guns and soldiers from the Gulf of Suvla, December 1915
Unlike combat operations, the evacuation was well organized, and there were almost no losses. And on January 9 1916, the last soldiers left the southernmost bridgehead, Gelles.
The initiator of the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) operation, Winston Churchill, was forced to resign from the post of first lord of the Admiralty. This plunged him into a state of deepest depression: “I am a complete man,” he said then.
Disappointing results
The total losses of the allies were enormous: about 252 of thousands of people killed and wounded (in all, 489 of thousands of soldiers and officers took part in the battles). Actually, British losses amounted to about half of them, the losses of the ANZAC corps - about 30 thousand people. 6 armadillos were also lost by the allies. The Turkish army lost about 186 thousand killed, wounded and dead from disease.
The defeat in the Dardanelles operation was a heavy blow to the military reputation of the British army and navy. In many ways, precisely because of the failure of the allies in this adventure, Bulgaria entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers.
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