Gallipoli Campaign (Çanakkale Savaşı)

The Gallipoli Campaign, also known as the Dardanelles Campaign, was a major World War I battle fought on the Gallipoli peninsula in the Ottoman Empire (now Turkey) between April 1915 and January 1916. The campaign was launched by the Allied Powers, including Britain, France, Australia, and New Zealand, with the aim of capturing the Ottoman capital of Constantinople (now Istanbul) and securing a sea route to Russia. However, the campaign ultimately failed, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides and a significant impact on the course of the war.

Causes of the Gallipoli Campaign:

The Gallipoli Campaign was primarily driven by the desire of the Allied Powers to open a new front in the war and break the stalemate on the Western Front. The Allies believed that a successful campaign in the Ottoman Empire would not only divert Ottoman troops from other fronts but also secure a new supply route to Russia, which was then facing shortages of war materials. However, the campaign was also motivated by political and strategic considerations. The Allies hoped that capturing the Ottoman capital and securing control of the Dardanelles would weaken the Ottoman Empire and pave the way for a successful invasion of Austria-Hungary and Germany from the south. Additionally, the Allies sought to protect their colonial interests in the Middle East and maintain their dominance in the region.

Process of the Gallipoli Campaign:

The Gallipoli Campaign began on April 25, 1915, with a large-scale amphibious landing of Allied troops on the Gallipoli peninsula. The landing was met with fierce resistance from the Ottoman defenders, who had fortified the beaches and hills overlooking the landing sites. Despite initial gains, the Allied forces soon became bogged down in a grueling and costly trench warfare, with neither side able to gain a decisive advantage. The campaign was characterized by a series of failed offensives and counteroffensives, as both sides suffered heavy losses in the harsh and unforgiving terrain of the peninsula. The Allies faced numerous challenges, including inadequate supplies and logistics, poor planning and coordination, and the resilience and determination of the Ottoman defenders. The Ottomans, on the other hand, were able to leverage their knowledge of the terrain, their superior defensive tactics, and their commitment to defending their homeland to inflict heavy casualties on the invading forces. The Gallipoli Campaign continued for over eight months, with both sides suffering significant losses. By the end of the campaign, the Allies had lost over 141,000 men, including 44,000 killed, while the Ottomans had lost over 251,000 men, including 87,000 killed. The campaign ultimately ended in failure for the Allies, who were forced to withdraw their troops from the peninsula in January 1916.

The Comparison of the forces involved in the Gallipoli Campaign:

The Gallipoli Campaign was fought between the Allied Powers, including Britain, France, Australia, and New Zealand, and the Ottoman Empire. The forces involved in the campaign were relatively evenly matched, with both sides fielding a similar number of troops and weapons.

Allied Forces: The Allied forces comprised of troops from various countries, including:
- Britain: The British contingent was the largest and most powerful force in the campaign, with over 400,000 troops and a significant naval presence. The British forces included soldiers from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, as well as troops from India, Canada, and other British colonies.
- France: The French contingent was the second-largest force in the campaign, with over 80,000 troops and a significant naval presence. The French forces included soldiers from France, as well as troops from Algeria, Tunisia, and other French colonies.
- Australia and New Zealand: The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) comprised of troops from both countries, who were sent to the campaign as part of the British Empire's contribution. The ANZAC forces totaled over 70,000 troops and played a significant role in the campaign.


Ottoman Forces: The Ottoman forces comprised of troops from various parts of the Ottoman Empire, including:
- Ottoman Army: The Ottoman Army was the primary force defending the Gallipoli peninsula, with over 250,000 troops and a significant number of artillery and machine guns. The Ottoman forces included soldiers from various parts of the empire, including Turkey, Albania, and other Balkan states.
- Ottoman Navy: The Ottoman Navy played a significant role in the campaign, with a fleet of warships and submarines that were used to defend the Dardanelles and attack Allied ships.

Overall, the forces involved in the Gallipoli Campaign were relatively evenly matched, with both sides fielding a similar number of troops and weapons. However, the Ottoman forces had the advantage of defending their homeland and had a superior knowledge of the terrain, which allowed them to inflict heavy casualties on the invading forces.


Consequences of the Gallipoli Campaign:

The Gallipoli Campaign had significant consequences for all parties involved. For the Allies, the campaign was a major setback, both militarily and politically. The failure of the campaign resulted in a loss of prestige and morale, and undermined the confidence of the Allied leaders and the public in their ability to win the war. The campaign also had a significant impact on the course of the war, as it diverted resources and attention away from other fronts and prolonged the war by several months.

For the Ottoman Empire, the Gallipoli Campaign was a major victory, both militarily and politically. The successful defense of the homeland against a superior and better-equipped enemy bolstered the morale and confidence of the Ottoman troops and the public, and strengthened the position of the Ottoman government and its allies. The campaign also helped to cement the national identity and consciousness of the Ottoman Turks, who saw themselves as defenders of their homeland against foreign aggression. The Gallipoli Campaign also had wider implications for the region and the world.


The campaign marked the first major military engagement between the Ottoman Empire and the Western powers, and set the stage for further conflicts and tensions in the region. The campaign also had a significant impact on the post-war settlement and the redrawing of the map of the Middle East, as it contributed to the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the emergence of new nation-states in the region.

In conclusion, the Gallipoli Campaign was a major event in World War I and had significant consequences for all parties involved. While the campaign was ultimately a failure for the Allies, it had a lasting impact on the course of the war and the history of the region.