The Gallipoli landings

The Gallipoli landings were originally to occur on 23 April. Bad weather delayed them by 48 hours, with buffeting winds whipping up rough seas. The weather prevented small vessels from moving troops and supplies through the harbour.

On the eve of departure, around 200 troopships and destroyers filled Mudros Bay. They held some 75,000 Allied troops, most of whom had been based on Lemnos during the previous weeks. This included the two Anzac Divisions, the British 29th Division and the French Division. 

Gallipoli lay nearly 100 kilometres to the north-east. The campaign was expected to be short, but the lesson from February had not been learnt. The Allies underestimated the Ottomans.