Supplying an Ally
Around the time of 1914 the Russian Army was
going through tough times. Soldiers were becoming weary of war, peasants
were asking for food made for soldiers and sailors were becoming mutinous
(Darlington, 2012). Despite all of these problems in their country Russia
continued to fight the enemy, but, despite officials best efforts, there were
many men lost and supplies were dwindling (Darlington, 2012). Seeing an
advantage to help their Ally and bring them back into the war the British
decided that they would transport goods to Russia.
Gallipoli's Strategic Positioning
The Gallipoli Peninsula is located in a position that was very strategic for the Allied forces. This, along with the want to supply their ally Russia made Gallipoli a perfect place to take over. Some of the major strategic values of the Gallipoli peninsula include:
1. The Dardanelles:
The Gallipoli Peninsula controlled the passageway that the Dardanelles provided for ships. While the far side of the Dardanelles was controlled by the Turkish, it was not as deep as the Peninsula's side. This means that any ships that would be travelling through would be on the left hand side of the straight, meaning that the Peninsula controlled the comings and goings of ships through the channel (Vic, 2013).
The Gallipoli Peninsula controlled the passageway that the Dardanelles provided for ships. While the far side of the Dardanelles was controlled by the Turkish, it was not as deep as the Peninsula's side. This means that any ships that would be travelling through would be on the left hand side of the straight, meaning that the Peninsula controlled the comings and goings of ships through the channel (Vic, 2013).
2. Turkish Invasion
The Gallipoli Peninsula is actually part of Turkey. This means that it was the perfect place for the Allied troops to mobilize in the case of an attack on Turkey. Gallipoli was the perfect place for this because it was easily defended due to high-ground that was supplied by the cliff ranges. These two factors appealed to Winston Churchill and added to the positives of the peninsula (Britannica, 2013).
The Gallipoli Peninsula is actually part of Turkey. This means that it was the perfect place for the Allied troops to mobilize in the case of an attack on Turkey. Gallipoli was the perfect place for this because it was easily defended due to high-ground that was supplied by the cliff ranges. These two factors appealed to Winston Churchill and added to the positives of the peninsula (Britannica, 2013).
3. Easily Gained
Up until the Gallipoli campaign the Turkish had not taken any major part in the fighting. Because of this the British did not know what to expect from them when they attacked. Winston Churchill believed that when the British ships dropped off hundreds of men on the shores of Gallipoli the Turkish would simply run and hide. Because of this belief the Gallipoli Peninsula was believed to be an easy gain at the expense of very few men (HistoryLearning, 2013).
Up until the Gallipoli campaign the Turkish had not taken any major part in the fighting. Because of this the British did not know what to expect from them when they attacked. Winston Churchill believed that when the British ships dropped off hundreds of men on the shores of Gallipoli the Turkish would simply run and hide. Because of this belief the Gallipoli Peninsula was believed to be an easy gain at the expense of very few men (HistoryLearning, 2013).