How bloody was the landing on ANZAC Day?

The Gallipoli Campaign took place between 25th April 1915 to 9th January 1916.

It was a major operation during World War I, which aimed at capturing the Dardanelles strait and the Gallipoli Peninsula from the Ottoman Empire.

The Allies, primarily consisting of British, French, Australian, and New Zealand forces, believed that by securing this region, they could open a naval route to the help Russian Empire, an important ally.

In addition, it could also potentially force the Ottoman Empire out of the war.

However, the campaign began with a failed naval assault on the Dardanelles in March 1915 by the British navy.

Following this setback, the Allies decided that a land invasion of the Gallipoli Peninsula would achieve the same end.

So, on 25th April, the initial landings took place at various points on the peninsula, with the ANZAC forces targeting a region that would later be known as ANZAC Cove, while the British aimed for Cape Helles to the south.

In the early morning hours of the 25th of April 1915, the tranquil shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula were disrupted by the arrival of Allied forces.

They were given a clear objective: to establish a beachhead, push inland, and capture key positions to pave the way for further operations on the peninsula.

However, what awaited them was not the easy victory they were expecting.

As the first light of dawn broke, the ANZAC troops found themselves landing at a location too far north of their intended target.

Instead of the expected gentle slopes they had been briefed about, they were confronted by steep cliffs and rugged terrain.

Almost immediately, the ANZAC forces faced fierce resistance from the Ottoman defenders, who were well-prepared and held the high ground.

The following hours of fighting were bloody and chaotic. The element of surprise was lost, and the ANZACs struggled to establish a firm foothold on the beach.

Amidst the confusion of battle, the soldiers, many of whom were experiencing combat for the first time, displayed remarkable courage and determination.

By the end of the day, the ANZACs had managed to secure a narrow strip of the coastline.

However, it came at a significant loss of life.

For the ANZAC forces, the landing day itself was devastating. The Australian forces suffered over 2,000 casualties, while the New Zealanders faced around 600.

This included the wounded, missing, and the dead. As the campaign progressed, however, these numbers would only increase.

By the end of the Gallipoli Campaign, Australia would suffer around 8,700 deaths and New Zealand approximately 2,700.

The British and French forces, who also participated in various sectors of the Gallipoli Campaign, faced their own staggering losses.

The British casualties amounted to over 21,000 deaths, while the French faced around 10,000 fatalities.

On the other side, the Ottoman Empire, defending its homeland, suffered as well.

Estimates suggest that the Ottomans suffered approximately 86,000 deaths during the entire campaign.