Preparations

From March 1915, the Allies transformed Lemnos into a military base. Senior officers planned the landings and assault on the Gallipoli peninsula, while soldiers trained for fighting. The troops were accommodated on the island and onboard ships in the harbour. Senior officers stayed on the island of Imbros.

On 4 March, the Australian 3rd Brigade and a contingent of other units arrived in Mudros Harbour. The 3rd Brigade would train as the covering force for the landing at Ari Burnu, just north of Anzac Cove.

As other Anzac troops arrived through April, they prepared for battle and trained for the difficult coastal landings. They practised lowering and raising row boats from the transport ships. They disembarked and re-embarked on rope ladders, dressed in full kit and with heavy packs. Their punishing training involved long route marches and rocky hill climbs. They practised battle formations and mock attacks.

The troops also helped establish the essential infrastructure to support the campaign. They were kept busy building roads, depots, piers and the like.

Landing practice with the 3rd Australian Infantry Brigade. — The 3rd Australian Infantry Brigade practises landing. PS1447 - Australian War Memorial

Landing practice on the shores of Mudros Harbour. — LANDING PRACTICE ON THE SHORES OF MUDROS HARBOUR. 94RXWRw1 - STATE LIBRARY NSW

Troops land from rowboats for a day’s march, possibly part of training exercises for the landings. — Troops land from rowboats before a day’s march, possibly part of training exercises for the landings. C46494 - Australian War Memorial

Members of the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance practise a boat drill on Mudros Harbour. Behind is the transport ship SS Katuna, which was under Commonwealth control until 10 February 1917. — Men of the 2nd Australian Field Ambulance practise a boat drill on Mudros Harbour. Behind is the transport ship SS Katuna, which was under Commonwealth control until 10 February 1917. C01632 - Australian War Memorial

Landing practice shortly before embarking for the Gallipoli peninsula. The sergeant in the foreground has not been identified. C02257 - Australian War Memorial

‘Today the whole Brigade landed on Lemnos as a test landing. It was a long and tedious process. Some landed in Ships Boats. A slow but sure way. In our case a Naval Mine Trawler came alongside and about 500 men in heavy marching order (just as they will land on the Dardanelles coast) went down the side on rope ladders & were taken close in shore where we transhipped in boats & cleared for the beach. After landing we marched about a mile inland and camped for dinner.’

– Private Richard Henry Chase, diary, 15 Apr. 1915