Although technically, it's only the 99th ANZAC Day as such-landings in 1915, ANZAC Day was proclaimed as such the next year. I've been more or less liveblogging the First World War, just 100 years late, on a different set of forums. Excerpts from today's post, since it's the 100th Anniversary of the landing themselves:
Allied landings on Gallipoli Peninsula supported by 18 battleships, 2 cruisers, 29 destroyers and 8 submarines which fire 8,010 shells. River Clyde, converted collier landing ship at V Beach, fails to work as planned but her crew win 5 Victoria Cross. Australian submarine AE2 sinks Turkish gunboat in Narrows and is first Allied boat into Sea of Marmara. Eventually,
33,000 Allies land round Cape Helles, at Anzac Cove (mistakenly) and Kum Kale in Asia (3,000 French in feint until next day). Losses: Allies c.4,178, Turk c.4,730, for this day.
The Turkish forces were well prepared to meet them, however, as they had long been aware of the likelihood of just such an invasion. Lieutenant-Colonel Mustafa Kemal of the 19th Division is ordered to defend against the landings:
http://imgur.com/HWd0hFC The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) was devastated by some of the best-trained Turkish defenders, aided by the rough terrain of ridges and cliffs that hamper the ANZAC advance.
And finally, Eric Bogle, performing “And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda”, which was written about the landings:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8YLUZgzEnE
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