Gallipoli

Troop landings in Gallipoli, Turkey, in 1915. In one of the most disastrous campaigns of World War I, British, French, Australian, and New Zealand troops disembarked at Gallipoli in an attempt to invade mainland Turkey, seize control of the Dardanelles Strait, and link up with Russian forces. The Allied forces met stiff resistance and finally withdrew, having suffered heavy casualties.

Port in European Turkey, giving its name to the peninsula (ancient name Chersonesus) on which it stands. In World War I, at the instigation of Winston Churchill, an unsuccessful attempt was made between February 1915 and January 1916 by Allied troops to force their way through the Dardanelles and link up with Russia. The campaign was fought mainly by Australian and New Zealand (Anzac) forces, who suffered heavy losses. An estimated 36,000 Commonwealth troops died during the nine-month campaign.

Gallipoli

Seaport and peninsula in northwest Turkey (European), on the Dardanelles, 224 km/140 mi southwest of Istanbul; population (1990 est) 17,000. Guarding the northeast entrance to the strait, it has two harbours and is Turkey's main naval base. Industries include fishing and sardine-canning, and corn, wine, and oil are exported. The peninsula has belonged to Turkey since 1354, and was the scene of heavy fighting during the Gallipoli campaigns of World War I.

Its battlefields and Allied cemeteries are now a national historical park.

Features Cellars built by the Byzantine emperor Justinian I, and the remains of an 8th-century castle lie near the waterfront.

History Gallipoli has been Istanbul's first line of defence since ancient times. After seizing the port from Catalan mercenaries in 1345, the Ottoman Turks enlarged its defences. Further fortifications were added in 1854 when Gallipoli became the headquarters of the British and French during the Crimean War, and these were renewed and extended in 1878.