The August 1915 Offensive Part 2

The Fighting Begins

A section of the diorama depicting the attack on Lone Pine held at the Australian War Memorial.

With all the planning in place, it was time to put it all into action. Starting with a diversionary attack from Tasmania Post, the Allied attempt to break out from the Anzac Beachhead began. In the afternoon of 6th of August, the Australians charged forward at Lone Pine, initiating what would become five days of brutal fighting. As darkness fell, the main assault headed off for its attack on Chunuk Bair. Timing was crucial. Chunuk Bair had to be taken before dawn, but a series of delays, navigational errors and command failure, saw the New Zealanders waiting at the edge of their objective, with the sun rising. It was all starting to unravel before it had really begun.

The basic plan showing the terrain facing the attackers.

The Anzac and Suvla Bay Positions

The way to the objective. Charles Bean provides a description of the scene.

Australian and Turkish dead in a trench at Lone Pine. Two survivors are seen on the left.

The view from Lone Pine looking back across no mans land to the Australian jumping off trenches.

Colonel William Malone of the New Zealand Wellington Regiment

Sazli Dere looking up towards Chunuk Bair

Aghyl Dere with Suvla Bay in the background.