ANAFARTALAR CAMPAIGN

ANAFARTALAR CAMPAIGN
Until the end of August, the Allies did not realize their objectives nor in Ariburnu or in Helles. At last, they have decided to capture the Dardanelles by surrounding the back of the Peninsula. Hamilton’s primary target was to surround the Turks from the back and destroy them. Secondly, he was planning an advance on the Suvla shores for the opening of the third front.
On this purpose, in the night of 6 August, he landed 9th British division on that region. His aim was to make a surprise attack by the daylight. However, Liman von Sanders had leant secret enterprise and ordered the commander of the Saros group to go to Suvla and attack the British on the early morning of 8 August. In addition, he ordered Lieutenant Colonel Wilmer to prevent the British progress until the arrival of the reinforcements.
Thereupon, Liman von Sanders had appointed Colonel Mustafa Kemal to command the Anafartalar (Suvla) Forces. On the morning of 9 August, Mustafa Kemal had attacked 9th British Army Corps with his 12th Division. In addition, to cut their co-operation with the Anzacs he made another attack towards Damakcilik direction. The British was confused with these unexpected attacks.
This operation was named as the First Suvla War. Mustafa Kemal’s interpretation was as follows:
“In fact, I have defeated the enemy with my weak forces between Kirectepe and Azmak and I have followed them all the way to the Salt Lake.”
Thus, as it was in the other fronts, Suvla front had turned out to be a positional war until the evacuation.
On the other hand, 9th British Army Corps was reinforced by new landings, but still failed to succeed the operations, which were tried on Suvla direction. However, for the Turks the situation was desperate and Liman von Sanders reinforced 8th Division with two regiments and gave Mustafa Kemal. In the night of 9th August Mustafa Kemal made an attack by bayonets and this attack had coasted the British many causalities. After Mustafa Kemal has secured a defense line, he made necessary reinforcements, and began an expanded defense.
During all the landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula, the Turks had revealed their bravery, honesty and their strong characters. In both Helles and Suvla, this was the same. For example, they have never shot the Red Cross tents, stretchers or the hospital ships. Although the Turks dominated the hills, they have never used gas or never poisoned the fountains. They never tortured or misbehaved the prisoners of war. At first, the Anzacs were confused by these behaviors, the reality was completely opposite of what they had heard in Egypt. They were very prejudiced about the Turkish Soldier whom they named as “Abdul”.
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