Landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula

Saturday 1st May 1915: On 26^th April British, Indian, New Zealand and Australian troops landed in two places on the Gallipoli peninsula. This is a narrow finger of land which is part of Europe, separated from Asia by a narrow strait of water known as the Dardanelles. Behind this strait is the Sea of Marmara and behind this another narrow strait between Europe and Asia on each side of which lies the city of Constantinople. Thus capture of this peninsula opens the way to the capture of Constantinople itself and, surely, the exit of Turkey from this war.

We hear that the landings, at places termed Cape Helles and Anzac Cove were successful and initial Turkish defence has been brushed aside. The victorious allies then consolidated their hold before a planned advance. On 27th April however, they were attacked by fresh Turkish troops but these were beaten off. More strong Turkish attacks followed yesterday but were again held off.

Despite the fact that no great advance has yet been made there is surely hope for eventual success. This is the first time men of the Australia-New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) have been in action in this war and they will surely want to prove themselves. The same is true of the British soldiers, also in action for the first time, along with Gurkhas, Indians and French.