The Gallipoli Campaign

The Gallipoli Campaign

Damn the Dardanelles: This will be our Grave

Military History and Battlefield Tours

1st - 9th May 2024
(9 Days)

Expert Historian : Dr Bruce Cherry

Tour price: £3,000

click here to book

The Gallipoli Campaign

Damn the Dardanelles: This will be our Grave

Military History and Battlefield Tours

Your Holiday Essentials

1st - 9th May 2024
(9 Days)

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Dr Bruce Cherry

Prices:

Standard price: £2,550

Incl. travel from UK: £3,000
Room sole occupancy supplement: £250
Non-refundable deposit: £500

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

Tour Introduction

During this wonderful tour to Turkey we will visit and examine the main aspects of the Gallipoli campaign: the naval assault, the problems of landing against defended beaches at Cape Helles, the command, control and communication issues, the miracle that was ANZAC, the Turkish perspective, the conditions at Gallipoli, the Suvla Bay fiasco and discuss whether it was all worthwhile. All this is set against the exotic backdrop of Turkish history, culture, scenic beauty and cuisine - all of which we will have ample opportunity to explore. We will also soak up the culture with visits to the ruins of legendary Troy and a full day exploring the beguiling and bustling city of Istanbul, the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Background

Gallipoli was the scene of one of the great Allied failures of the First World War. In attempting to take Turkey out of the war, the assault on the Dardanelles ended in disastrous failure following a campaign that lasted from April 1915 to January 1916. The campaign saw some thirteen British and Empire divisions involved in a struggle against twenty Turkish divisions, with a total cost of 500,000 casualties.

Highlights

  • British & ANZAC landings, at Cape Helles & Sulva Bay
  • A detailed examination of the Turkish coastal defences
  • Spend some quiet time at the Helles Memorial for the Missing
  • S, V, W, X and Y Beaches
  • Visit the museum at Gaba Tepe
  • Explore Anzac Cove
  • Climb up to Plugge’s Plateau, scene of fierce fighting, with its overview of ANZAC Cove
  • Walk a section of Gully Ravine
  • The extraordinary naval museum and the Turkish gun positions at Ephez
  • The ancient ruins of Troy
  • A full day in Sultanahmet

What's Included

  • Expert historian throughout providing a daily variety of talks, presentations and Q&A
  • Return flights from London (optional)
  • 4 Star Hotel
  • Buffet breakfast each morning
  • Dinner parties hosted by your expert historian and tour manager
  • Two drinks i,e wine or beer at each dinner and a welcome drink on first evening
  • Dedicated Tour Manager
  • Entrance fees for sites included in itinerary
  • Modern, comfortable, air-conditioned coach
  • Tour information booklet
  • Helpful and friendly travel advice
  • The company of like-minded travelers

"Bruce Cherry is an exceptional guide & tries to personalise the tour for everyone. I also appreciated the excellent hotels and food on the tour"

Itinerary


Day 1: Arrival

Fly London to Istanbul or join the tour in Istanbul. Transfer to central Istanbul hotel. Pre-dinner drinks and introductory talk. (D)

Day 2: Sultanahmet

Explore the imperial quarter of Istanbul including the extraordinary Haghia Sophia, the imperial Topkapi Palace, the graceful Blue Mosque and the enchanting Grand Bazaar. This evening we enjoy dinner overlooking the Bosphorus. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Canakkale

This morning we visit Istanbul Military Museum with over 50 rooms of collections, those of particular interest being on Gallipoli and Ataturk. This afternoon we drive to Canakkale where we check-in to our hotel for the remainder of the tour. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Naval and Amphibious Operations

This morning, following a detailed examination of the Turkish coastal defences from Kilitbahir to the hugely impressive national Turkish memorial, we visit the French-held sector before moving onto the 25th April landing points – S, V, W, X and Y Beaches; each with its own poignant story, including the ill-fated SS Clyde landings at V Beach, and the “six VCs before breakfast” won at W beach by the Lancashire Fusiliers. We’ll also spend some quiet time at the Helles Memorial for the Missing. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Helles Peninsula

We will walk a section of Gully Ravine, perhaps the most atmospheric yet least visited part of the battlefield. Our day will also see us studying the battles around the ‘Vineyard’. We’ll shift our focus to the Turkish perspective visiting some amazing memorials and the small village of Bigali where we find a museum dedicated to Ataturk. This afternoon we visit to the extraordinary naval museum and the Turkish gun positions at Ephez. (B,L,D)

Day 6: ANZAC

Today’s highlights include the museum at Gaba Tepe and Anzac Cove, a climb up to Plugge’s Plateau, scene of fierce fighting, with its overview of ANZAC Cove and key features such as Razor Back, Shrapnel Valley and Lone Pine Ridge, where seven VCs were won. We also tour one of the many front-line ANZAC positions, such as Johnstone’s Jolly and Quinn’s Post. We visit the important sites of the August offensive such Sari Bair, Walker’s Ridge, the Gurkhas battle for Hill ‘Q’ and end our day at the Nek, the site of the ill-fated attack of the Australian Light Horse, immortalised in the film ‘Gallipoli’. This evening dinner you are free to find the restaurant of your choice but at your own expense. (B,L)

Day 7: Suvla Bay

Drive to beautiful Suvla Bay and examine the landings of August 6th 1915 at Nibrunesi Point and the baptism of fire for the Kitchener battalions such as the 6th Green Howards and the King’s Sandringham Company. Depending on weather conditions, we will take a short but telling walk to Lala Baba, or along a stretch of Kiretch Tepe; follow the failed attempt to break out at Hill 10, Chocolate Hill and Green Hill and the subsequent struggle for Scimitar Hill and Hill 60. We’ll also visit a small private museum at the village of Büyükanafarta. Finally we shall examine one of the most successful phases of the operation, the evacuation at Suvla Bay. Return to hotel and a final farewell dinner on the harbour-side. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Kumkale and Troy

From Kumkale, weather permitting, we will obtain great views over the Dardenelles towards Cape Helles and discuss the naval operations. But most of our day is spent exploring the layered archaeological remains of Troy and its fabulous museum which reveal over 1000 years of continuous habitation. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Home

Drive to Istanbul to catch our flight to London. (B)
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Recommended Reading List

Dr Bruce Cherry

Dr Bruce Cherry

A former university lecturer with his PhD in military history, Bruce has been guiding on the Western Front since the late 1980s. Indeed for many years he operated a range of First and Second World War tours out of Lille. Amongst other titles, he is the author of ’They Didn't Want to Die Virgins; a study of Sex and Morale on the Western Front'. As an academic, his tours very much emphasise the learning aspect that is to be gained from battlefield touring.

Photo Gallery

  • Our 2019 Tour Group
  • X Beach Gallipoli
  • W Beach Gallipoli
  • V Beach from Helles
  • Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery
  • Lancashire Cemetery
  • Gully Ravine monument
  • W Beach Gallipoli
  • Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery
  • Lancashire Cemetery

Your Holiday Essentials

1st - 9th May 2024
(9 Days)

Activity Level: 2

Expert Historian: Dr Bruce Cherry

Prices:

Standard price: £2,550

Incl. travel from UK: £3,000
Room sole occupancy supplement: £250
Non-refundable deposit: £500

Booking open

click here to book

Interested in this tour but not ready to book? Register your interest using the link below and we will keep you updated on the progress of the tour.

click here to register your interest

Tour Reviews

Take a look at some of the images taken on our most recent tour

Take a look at some independent reviews of this tour by previous participants here

Photo Gallery

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