Europe 1915: Gallipoli Campaign

The Ottoman Turks had entered the War on the side of Germany in October 1914, threatening the Suez Canal and the Persian oil wells. Even more critically, supply routes to Russia's major ports were now blocked (by the Germans in the north and the Turks in the south). In an attempt to force open the southern route, the Allies landed at Gallipoli but were unable to break Turkish defenses.

Main Events

19–20 Jan 1915 First Zeppelin raid on Britain

After raids on Belgium, France, and the Channel, Germany mounted a Zeppelin raid on the United Kingdom on the night of 19-20 January 1915. Two Zeppelins targeted Humberside but, diverted by strong winds, ended up dropping bombs on Great Yarmouth, Sheringham, King’s Lynn and the surrounding villages. Four people were killed and 16 injured, with only minor monetary damage. However the raid provoked fear and further raids would follow, with the last on 5 August 1918. in wikipedia

18 Feb 1915 Unrestricted submarine warfare

Germans started the first unrestricted U-boat campaign against Allied trade, attempting to starve the United Kingdom into surrender by sinking its merchant shipping in the Atlantic Ocean. in wikipedia

22 Apr–25 May 1915 Second Battle of Ypres

The Germans made a second attempt to break through the Allied salient around Ypres, Belgium. This time, they made the first mass use of poison gas on the Western Front, inflicting some 6,000 casualties on the French in the first few days. In response, the Allies improved gas protection but still lost several km of ground around Ypres along with over 87,000 casualties to the loss of just 35,000 Germans. in wikipedia

24 Apr 1915 April 24 Armenian deportation

Ottomans began the arrest and deportation of Armenian notables in Constantinople, the start of what will become known as the Armenian genocide. in wikipedia

25 Apr 1915 Allied landings at Gallipoli

The Allies landed on and around the Gallipoli peninsula, Turkey: the British/British Indian 29th Division at Helles; the Australians and New Zealanders (Anzacs) north of Gaba Tepe at what would be named Anzac Cove; and the French at Kum Kale on the Asian shore. The Allies managed to secure their position and advanced inland against the Ottoman defenders, despite suffering heavy casualties. However the campaign would soon become a stalemate when Ottoman reinforcements arrived. in wikipedia