Landing at Anzac Cove and Consolidation

Landing commenced at dawn and the Australians, 3rd Australian Infantry Brigade, were the first to land at Anzac Cove. 

It was not until the capture and securing of Walker’s Ridge and the protection of the northern flank by the Canterbury Battalion that a stablised front was established. However, the Anzac’s position was still dominated by the Turkish forces occupying the high ground.

A French force landed at Kum Kale (a feint); British and French landed at Cape Helles. A & NZ Army Corps landed at what was to be called Anzac Cove; NZ Divisional Headquarters and details were ashore at 10.00am; Auckland Battalion ashore by 12.00 noon with two companies of the Canterbury Battalion and by midday some 1500 were ashore. No 1 Field Company NZ Engineers and Canterbury and Otago Infantry came ashore during the afternoon. The New Zealand artillery was landed at Anzac Cove over the next two days.

Faced with being landed at the wrong beach, the Australians fought the terrain as much as the Turkish forces. Although reinforced by the landing New Zealanders the situation was chaotic with troops isolated from their units and fighting with whomever they could find. The most immediate task of the New Zealanders was to reinforce the Australians in their battle for the slopes of the hill Baby 700 and later fight for the as yet unnamed Quinn’s Post and Second Ridge. A line of sorts was formed but was in constant peril of being overwhelmed.

Amidst the ongoing struggle to gain ground and protect the beachhead was the confusion and frustration of those New Zealanders arriving later in the afternoon and in the evening to the chaotic scenes on the beach. Adding to the confusion were the casualties, more than anticipated, and the endeavors to evacuate them.