Key Events

1914

11 August – the German battle-cruiser Goeben and its escorting cruiser Breslau under Admiral Souchon arrive at Constantinople after their bombardment of the French North African ports and, with their crews, are handed over to the Ottoman navy.

August-October – Intense but belated British diplomatic activity in effort to secure Turkish neutrality.

29 October – The Ottoman fleet, led by Admiral Souchon and the two German warships, bombard Odessa and Sebastopol. Britain and France send ultimatum to Turkey.

2 November – Russia declares war on Turkey followed by France and Britain.(which annexes Cyprus, held by the Ottomans since 1878)

14 November – Sultan, as Caliph of Islam, proclaims holy war against all enemies of Turkey; ignored by the Hashemite sharifs of Mecca and Medina who had their own agenda.

13 December – British submarine B 11 enters Dardanelles, torpedoes Battleship off Chanak.

17 December – Turkish offensive launched against Russians in eastern Anatolia against advice of Liman von Sanders.

18 December- British Protectorate proclaimed in Egypt, where threat to Suez Canal is perceived. Anzacs, en route to Europe, held in Canal Zone to stiffen defences.

December 1814- August 1915 – Russo-Turkish campaign, resulting in defeat of Turks who turn on the Armenian population in Anatolia, deported and massacred thousands.

1915

2 January – Russian appeal to London for a diversion in eastern Mediterranean to relieve pressure in Caucasus., used by the ‘Easterners’ as leverage for an operation against Constantinople.

3-4 February – Attack by Turks on Suez Canal, repulsed

19 February – Anglo-French fleet commences bombardment of outer forts at the Dardanelles.

23 February – Island of Lemnos taken over as base for allied fleet (in Mudros Bay) .

18 March – general attack on the Narrows by Anglo-French fleet under Vice-Admiral de Robeck fails, with heavy losses (three battleships sunk, one badly damaged, one battlecruiser damaged). General Sir Ian Hamilton, newly arrived as C in C Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, makes quick inspection of possible landing beaches on Gallipoli peninsula

25 April – Hamilton lands troops at Anzac Cove and at Helles

28 April – 1st Battle of Krithia; ill-starred attack fails in confusion due to poor staff work and exhaustion of troops still recovering from trauma of the landings.

6 May – 2nd Battle of Krithia – over-elaborate plan fails due to poor briefing and shortage of HE shells.

4 June – 3rd Battle of Krithia. Initial successes due to dash of troops but shortage of artillery ammunition and failure of French to seize vital ground on right flank lead to slaughter of Royal Naval Division troops caught by enfilading machine gun fire.

28 June – Battle of Gully Ravine. Costly advance on left flank of British VIII Corps and outstanding performance of Gurkhas who storm cliffs to take Turks in rear, but eventual failure caused again by lack of artillery support.

6-10 August _ launch of grand attack aimed at taking the Sari Bair ridge and advancing to the Narrows.

Landing of IX Corps at Suvla followed by failure to advance onto vital high ground results in yet more stalemate on the Suvla Plaijn

Failure of diversionary attack at Helles

Capture of Lone Pine by brilliantly executed Australian assault

Repulse of attack at The Nek by Australian Light Horse Brigade

21 August – Hamilton’s final major attack fails, with heavy loss, at Scimitar Hill.

16 October – having declared that evacuation was impossible, Hamilton removed from command and replaced by General Monro who on arrival confirmed that withdrawal was essential. Kitchener visited in person early in November and agreed.

27 November – The great storm broke over the peninsula, killing many in their trenches at Suvla

18-19 December – evacuation of Suvla-Anzac beach-head

1916

8 January – Evacuation at Helles completed. .