Gallipoli 1915
The stalemate on the Western Front prompted an alternative approach to defeating Germany and her allies. The capture of Constantinople, now Istanbul, would knock Turkey out of the war and give a direct link to the Russian ally. British and French forces landed on the Gallipoli peninsula on the 25th April but were held close to the be aches and failed to advance inland. A second attempt was made at Suvla Bay on 6th August but it also ground to a halt. The campaign was abandoned and the troops withdrawn in January 1916.
The 1st battalions of the Royal Inniskilling, Munster and Dublin Fusiliers took part in the 25th April landings at Cape Helles. The Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Royal Munster Fusiliers were the first to disembark from the S.S. River Clyde and of the first 200 men to leave the ship, 149 were killed and 30 wounded immediately. The Royal Dublins had 25 officers and 987 other ranks but only one officer and 374 other ranks made it ashore. There were 637 casualties in the first 36 hours and the two Irish battalions effected a temporary, unofficial amalgamation as the “Dubsters”.
The 10th (Irish Division) was raised in Ireland in August 1914 and served in Gallipoli, Macedonia and Palestine. At Suvla Bay the first Irish volunteers went into battle. At least 3,411 serving with Irish battalions were killed or missing, 569 from the Royal Munster fusiliers alone. The Allies suffered a total of a quarter of a million casualties including 46,000 dead. In this most beautiful part of the Mediterranean a terrible tragedy unfolded. The battle is perceived as a defining moment in the history of the Turkish people.
Gallipoli Itinerary
| Day 1 | Arrive Istanbul, pick up and transport to hotel for a one night stay. |
| Day 2 | Depart for Gallipoli Peninsula and start the tour by visiting South Ridge at ANZAC. We will visit the Australian Memorial and Cemetery at Lone Pine, Quinn’s Post and the Turkish Memorial to the 57th Regiment. Following a visit to the centre piece of the film Gallipoli, The Nek, we will visit the New Zealand Memorial at Chunuk Bair which is also the site of the imposing memorial to Mustapha Kemal (Ataturk). Following this we will be transported by ferry to the hotel which will be our base for the next three nights. Breakfast and dinner will be provided during our stay. |
| Day 3 | This will take in the British sector. We will take the ferry across the Dardenelles to visit Redoubt Cemetery, Skew Bridge Cemetery and then stop at the beautiful and unusual French Memorial and Cemetery. We will then continue on round Morto Bay to the Grand Turkish Memorial with its beautiful wall friezes and museum. We will then retrace our steps visiting Sed-el-Bahr, visiting Lt Col Doughty Wylie’s solitary grave en route. We will wander down the little track to V beach, where so many Royal Dublins lie. The Helles Memorial is our next stop and here the names of those killed, died of wounds, buried at sea or who have no known grave are listed on large tablets on the wall which surrounds the memorial. Following lunch we will visit W Beach, Pink Farm Cemetery and finish off by visiting Twelve Tree Copse where many Inniskilling Fusiliers rest. |
| Day 4 | Today we visit Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay with a short service at Green Hill Cemetery commemorating the men of the 10th (Irish) Division. We will then travel to Embarkation Pier stopping at Shrapnel Valley, Anzac Cove and Ariburnu. The battlefield aspect of the tour will culminate in a visit to Hill 10 Cemetery and a picnic lunch at Suvla Bay. |
| Day 5 | Morning in Canakkale with visits to Maritime Museum, Fort Ciminlek and the Fort at Kilit Bahir. In the afternoon you can go on the optional trip to Troy or relax by the pool. |
| Day 6 | Ferry across the Sea of Marmara to Istanbul to visit some of the popular tourist sites, including a leisurely visit to the Grand Bazaar. The day ends with dinner and Turkish ethnic cabaret. |
| Day 7 | At leisure in Istanbul. |
| Day 8 | Pick up from hotel to airport, return to airport. |
Call or email for 2011 dates and prices. Group tours tailored to your needs
THE ABOVE TOUR IS AN EXAMPLE AND MAY BE ALTERED AS CIRCUMSTANCES DICTATE
Prices from £999.00
Download a booking form here