In March 1915, Churchill launched his ill-fated campaign in the Dardanelles, in part as an alternative to the trench warfare of the Western Front, in part to support our Russian ally. Battleships of the Royal and French Navies made an attempt to force the narrows and reach Istanbul. When this failed British, French and ANZAC troops, under General Sir Ian Hamilton, landed on the Gallipoli Peninsular on 25th April 1915. Every attempt to move forward was defeated by the resolute Turkish defenders. A second landing at Suvla in August, in support of a major ANZAC offensive, made no progress and the battlefield settled into a hell of thirst, flies, shelling and disease. Only the evacuations nine months later were a success.

With military historian Dr. Graham Dunlop, we will stand overlooking the Dardanelles, the narrow waterway dividing Europe and Asia, to discuss the abortive naval attempt to force a way through the Turkish mines and bombardment. Then take a boat trip past the landing beaches, to get an 'expeditionary force' view of the difficulties of the terrain. We follow the fortunes of the 29th Division whose battalions landed on the beaches around Cape Helles and fought the battles of Krithia under the guns of Achi Baba. We see where the newly formed ANZACS landed north of Gaba Tepe at what is now ANZAC Cove, and the landing area and surrounding ridges at Suvla. Once the infantry got off the beaches, the ridges and gullies were the battleground for fierce and stubborn fighting by the soldiers on both sides of the line, and from the heights of Chunuk Bair you have a panoramic view of the battlefield and can look down on the Dardanelles and the Aegean. The peninsula abounds in beautiful cemeteries and memorials, a permanent and poignant reminder of the men and actions of 1915.

We stay in the lively University town of Cannakale, just a ferry ride across the Dardanelles from the battlefields. There is time to walk along the harbour, visit the old CWGC cemetery and sample the wonderful Turkish food in a variety of local restaurants.

ITINERARY
Day 1 (Saturday): Fly London – Istanbul. Travel along the Sea of Marmara and down the Dardanelles to our hotel in Cannakale for 5 night stay.
Day 2: Visit the Dardanos Battery and discuss the failed naval attempt to force the Dardanelles. Boat trip along the Landing Beaches.
Day 3: The British at Cape Helles Including landings at 'S' beach, 'V' beach from the River Clyde and 'W' beach where 6 VCs were won. We discuss the French landing and visit 'X' beach, Gully Ravine and the area of the battles for Krithia. Group dinner in local restaurant.
Day 4: The ANZAC area. First the landing at ANZAC Cove and up to Plugge's Plateau and the Nek. We then travel along the ridge to Lone Pine and Johnson's Jolly and look down towards Monash Valley, visiting as many places as we can cover in the time. Choose a local restaurant for dinner.
Day 5: Morning in the Suvla Bay area, including the landing area, Hill 60 and Green Hill with a view of the Kirech Tepe Ridge. The heights of Chunuk Bair – the almost-successful attack by New Zealanders, British and Gurkha battalions and the near suicidal attack of Colonel Mustapha Kemal's 19th division, which regained the heights. Look down on the Aegean and the Dardanelles. Farewell dinner.
Day 6: Drive back along the Sea of Marmara for our return flight from Istanbul to London.