Second Battle of Krithia. 1 Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 28 April–8 May 1915.
The 1 Bn Lancashire Fusiliers took part in the landings on 25 April at Cape Helles. It was a bloody and difficult action, 6 VCs were subsequently awarded popularised as the ‘6 VCs before breakfast’. On 28 April the battalion then took part in The First Battle of Krithia. The attack did not go well and by evening they had been forced back. British losses were over 2000 casualties.
Another assault, The Second Battle of Krithia, was planned for 6 May 1915. On 4 May the 1 Bn Lancs. Fusiliers moved into the second line to the rear of Pink Farm, about a half mile south east of Gully Beach. The battalion, after its mauling during the landings and First Krithia, only numbered about 250 men. They were organised into 2 parties and were attached to the Naval Composite Brigade. The next day they moved into the firing line between East Krithia Road and Krithia Nullah. They were to advance in support of ANZAC troops. The attack began at 11am on 6 May. As they moved forward they soon came under heavy Turkish shelling. They managed to advance to a position east of Fir Tree Wood where they dug in. From here they were able to watch the advance of the ANZACs which soon came under devastating fire, they managed to advance about 500 yards before they were held up. That evening the Lancashire Fusiliers were ordered forward to support the ANZACs. They moved forward in two parties but with heavy fire the movement was halted and postponed until darkness fell. When they reached the ANZAC lines they found the trenches so overcrowded that they were forced to consolidate a new line just behind the front line. There they remained until relieved the next day and went into the support lines.
Total casualties to the end of May 1915 were Officers 7 IA, 9 wounded: ORs 167 KIA, 391 wounded and 81 missing.
GOOGLE MAPS – centres on Krithia village, now named Alictepe,
Date not known, Krithia Road running up to the Vineyard, Krithia Nullah to the east. (Source not known)
References and Sources WAR DIARY, 1 Bn Lancs. Fusiliers.
B&O 1915. Gallipoli. First & Second Battles of Krithia. 1 Bn Lancashire Fusiliers. 28 April–8 May 1915.
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