Since the initial landing of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) on 25 April 1915, a stalemate had developed on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The rough terrain and entrenched positions severely hampered the ability of both sides to launch decisive attacks to dislodge the enemy. The Ottomans, it appeared, were content to keep British forces pinned down and fight a war of attrition.
By July 1915 the ANZAC commander, Lt. Gen. William Birdwood, had devised a strategy to break the deadlock. The plan was to launch a major offensive in the north while using diversionary attacks in the south to draw away Ottoman reinforcements. One of these diversionary targets was the Ottoman trenches near an area marked by a conspicuous solitary pine tree that had survived the preceding weeks of fighting.
After an artillery barrage that managed to destroy much of the barbed wire obstructing the approach to the Ottoman trenches, an assault was launched by the Australian 1st Brigade at 17:30. After traversing no man’s land under fire, the Australians encountered the Ottoman trenches where frenzied close quarters combat ensued. Many of the trenches had been covered with pine logs, posing an additional obstacle for the attackers to negotiate before entering the trenches.
Once inside, the Lee Enfield rifle with its attached bayonet (a total length of 1.5m) proved a cumbersome weapon within the narrow confines of the trenches. Much vicious hand-to-hand fighting took place using clubs, knives and shovels. In these cramped conditions, the concussive blasts of grenades were particularly devastating. The 1st Brigade had been allocated a total of 1,200 grenades for use in the initial assault. In preparation for the assault, diggers had sewn white patches and armbands on their khaki uniforms in order to distinguish friendly soldiers in the dark.
The main Ottoman trench had been captured by the 1st Brigade after only 20 minutes of fighting. However, the next four days would see relentless Ottoman counterattacks as they attempted to reclaim the positions lost on the 6th of August. The Australians were able to successfully defend their gains at Lone Pine, but the main offensive in the north proved to be ineffective at breaking the stalemate on the Gallipoli Peninsula.
The six Australian battalions (approx. 4,600 men) involved in the Battle of Lone Pine suffered a total of 2,227 casualties. A remarkable total of seven Australians were decorated with the Victoria Cross at Lone Pine – a testament to the intensity of the fighting and the feat of capturing this ‘diversionary’ objective.
Explore stunning artwork and commemorative pieces to remember the Battle of Lone Pine.
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