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Strong Ottoman resistance, the 57th Infantry Regiment held on to the last man despite being out numbered and having limited ammunition

Lt Col Kefmel of the 19th inftry gave this famous order to his men

"I do not expect you to attack, I order you to die. In the time which passes until we die, other troops and commanders can come forward and take our places."

This is exactly what happened, the Ottomans holding very good defencive positions held up the allies long enough for reinforcements to arrive, the allied landing was also hampered by the heavy losses sustained which limited any immediate quick breakthroughs.

At W beach casualties were 60% and 90% for the forces on the SS River Clyde that disembarked 200 men at V beach - massacred 1 by 1 as they exited the transport.

Because the tenacity of the Turkish defence the advance was slower than what was hoped for. It also tired the men out and brought many divisions well under strength. The general staff did not realise this and hence the 1st Battle of Kirithia was doomed to failure before the outset.

The Battle generated into a attrition trench life warfare and despite much personal bravery by many of the ANZACs, British and French troops it was impossible to take the now reinforced Turkish positions and secure the forts that commanded access to the straights.

The final throw of the dice was the landing at Sulva bay whitch despite early sucess they did not exploit the lack of resistance and got bogged down in an attritional battle. Due to the low expectaions and teh causious nature of there commanding officer - who reportedly had a bath instead of Advancing from the landing beach.

Overall it failed because of poor leadership and planing as well as stif resitance from teh Ottoman defenders.

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14y ago

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