Impact on our Soldiers
The strongest effects of the battle of Gallipoli were felt by none other than the soldiers themselves. The battleground was harsh and the soldiers had to deal with the terrible extremes of the Turkish climate on top of the constant bombardment of Turkish fire. This page will examine the impact the Battle of Gallipoli had on our soldiers; before, during, and after the fighting.
Before the Battle
Harvey Johns, a New Zealand Gallipoli veteran.
Before the fighting even began the Battle of Gallipoli had an impact on the New Zealand soldiers. Many soldiers were very enthusiastic about joining the army and going off to fight in Gallipoli. In an interview with surviving soldiers, veteran Harvey Johns said "I was keen as mustard. I belonged to the territorials and we all had the right spirit and possibly a little of the wild colonial spirit born into us with the result that we were very keen and enthusiastic. It seemed as if it was born into us." Clearly, the prospect of battle awakened a desire for action and adventure within the soldiers and many were happy to march off to what would ultimately cause many of their deaths. Many soldiers saw going to Gallipoli as fulfilling their duty towards the British Empire - as national ties to Britain were much stronger at the time - however a significant number weren't thinking of it at all; as articulated by one unnamed soldier: "I wasn't thinking about the British Empire. I think it was love of adventure that put me there. The last thing I thought of was King and Country." This somewhat romanticised view of the battle held by the soldiers did not last long. As discussed further in this article, the reality of war soon set in and the impact on the soldiers was profound.
After setting off for Gallipoli, the soldiers were affected by another aspect of the war before they even reached the peninsula. Prostitution. While in Egypt awaiting deployment the soldiers were exposed to many bars, brothels, and street workers who were all clamouring to make the most of this new 'foreign investment'. Wartime prostitution, while rarely discussed, had a larger impact on our soldiers than let on. According to New Zealanders at War by Michael King; our first casualties of the war were to sexually transmitted diseases contracted from the prostitutes.
After setting off for Gallipoli, the soldiers were affected by another aspect of the war before they even reached the peninsula. Prostitution. While in Egypt awaiting deployment the soldiers were exposed to many bars, brothels, and street workers who were all clamouring to make the most of this new 'foreign investment'. Wartime prostitution, while rarely discussed, had a larger impact on our soldiers than let on. According to New Zealanders at War by Michael King; our first casualties of the war were to sexually transmitted diseases contracted from the prostitutes.
On the Battlefield
Example of trench at Gallipoli
Conditions on the battlefied were horrendous. Upon landing at what is now known Anzac Cove, the soldiers had to scale steep cliffs while under the constant barrage of Turkish fire. Not many soldiers survived these early battles, and casualties were huge. Total New Zealand casualties of the campaign are thought to be around 7000, with nearly 3000 soldiers killed. The conditions and terrain the soldiers had to deal with were horrendous, not helped the slightest by both the extreme heat and cold weather on the peninsula. The trenches and dugouts the soldiers lived in were extremely cramped and dirty, often filling with water.
As well as physically, the Battle of Gallipoli had a strong psychological impact on the soldiers. Death became a part of everyday life for the soldiers, and was something the people back at home may never have fully understood. One of the last surviving veterans, Tony Fagan described the situation as follows "You're well aware that anybody who had not been on the battlefield couldn't possibly comprehend what we were talking about. They (dead soldiers) were lying in the no man's land. To begin with they swelled up as you imagine a body would and after time they would collapse slowly into the ground and mother earth would fold them into her arms once more. They'd disappear. Could they understand that? I don't think so."
After hearing of the severity of the beginning of the campaign, later arriving soldiers were under no illusions about the nature of the battle. While they knew what terrible conditions awaited them, some soldiers tried to make light of it. Trevor Holmden recalls one verse sung by one of his comrades:
Goodbye Isabel Isabel
I'm going to Hell
Somehow I think you are right
So let's get tight tonight tonight
What's interesting about this verse is that it shows two different attitudes the soldiers had - they were keen to mask their apprehension about going to war by means of song, but they were also resigned to the idea that they were probably going to die, so they wanted to make the most of their time before the battle; hence the line “let’s get tight tonight tonight”. The attitude creates clear contrast with the attitude of the first soldiers to arrive at Gallipoli, who were "keen as mustard." And idea this raises is the portrayal and romanticism of war. The reality of war was clearly romanticized to the soldiers, who thought that it would be a wonderful adventure. Instead they were greeted by scenes of hell. Had they known the true conditions awaiting them, their reaction may have been different.
As well as physically, the Battle of Gallipoli had a strong psychological impact on the soldiers. Death became a part of everyday life for the soldiers, and was something the people back at home may never have fully understood. One of the last surviving veterans, Tony Fagan described the situation as follows "You're well aware that anybody who had not been on the battlefield couldn't possibly comprehend what we were talking about. They (dead soldiers) were lying in the no man's land. To begin with they swelled up as you imagine a body would and after time they would collapse slowly into the ground and mother earth would fold them into her arms once more. They'd disappear. Could they understand that? I don't think so."
After hearing of the severity of the beginning of the campaign, later arriving soldiers were under no illusions about the nature of the battle. While they knew what terrible conditions awaited them, some soldiers tried to make light of it. Trevor Holmden recalls one verse sung by one of his comrades:
Goodbye Isabel Isabel
I'm going to Hell
Somehow I think you are right
So let's get tight tonight tonight
What's interesting about this verse is that it shows two different attitudes the soldiers had - they were keen to mask their apprehension about going to war by means of song, but they were also resigned to the idea that they were probably going to die, so they wanted to make the most of their time before the battle; hence the line “let’s get tight tonight tonight”. The attitude creates clear contrast with the attitude of the first soldiers to arrive at Gallipoli, who were "keen as mustard." And idea this raises is the portrayal and romanticism of war. The reality of war was clearly romanticized to the soldiers, who thought that it would be a wonderful adventure. Instead they were greeted by scenes of hell. Had they known the true conditions awaiting them, their reaction may have been different.
Beyond Gallipoli
ANZAC soldier affected by shell shock
The Battle of Gallipoli continued to impact soldiers long after the last shots were fired. One of the most notable post-battle effects was shell shock. Unique to World War 1, shell was the reaction of some soldiers to the intensity of the shelling. Shell shock didn’t inflict physical wounds, but instead had a psychological impact on the soldiers. One wounded soldier recounted how on a ship “one man called out all night. No one could stop him. The Doctor questioned him and he said he had a hole in his back. Looked there. Nothing. Took off his pyjamas and not a mark could be found.” As time went on, short films of soldiers in hospital affected by shell shock emerged, showing the true severity of the affliction. With proper help, soldiers could overcome it; without it many struggled adjusting to normal life, becoming terrified of any noise that sounded remotely like a falling shell. The Battle of Gallipoli therefore, had a lasting psychological impact on the soldiers, long after any physical wounds had healed.
The Battle of Gallipoli also drastically changed many of the soldiers attitude to war. Lance-Corporal Frank Campbell’s experience in Gallipoli left him certain that war was not the answer. His entry of April 29th, 2015 reads:
“I’ve seen a sad sight have held a few dying hands & I’m satisfied war is no good. I’ve seen a big battle & I’ve seen the results. Our [casualty] list must be bigger than the retreat from Mons.”
Other soldiers were horrified at their own actions, and the death and destruction they themselves caused.
Another soldier wrote "It was a horrible sight to see Turks' arms and legs sticking up out of the ground. A-- and I had a long chat afterward, and wondered if all these Turks we were killing and burying alive would have to answered for in the Hereafter..."
These two quotations add further weight to the idea that the battle and war itself was heavily romanticised, suggesting that the soldiers had no way of comprehending the destruction they would partake in. Had the soldiers fully understood the effect the war wold have on them, their initial attitude towards it may have been different, as shown by the soldiers who had the chance to hear about the battle of Gallipoli before the joined it.
The Battle of Gallipoli also drastically changed many of the soldiers attitude to war. Lance-Corporal Frank Campbell’s experience in Gallipoli left him certain that war was not the answer. His entry of April 29th, 2015 reads:
“I’ve seen a sad sight have held a few dying hands & I’m satisfied war is no good. I’ve seen a big battle & I’ve seen the results. Our [casualty] list must be bigger than the retreat from Mons.”
Other soldiers were horrified at their own actions, and the death and destruction they themselves caused.
Another soldier wrote "It was a horrible sight to see Turks' arms and legs sticking up out of the ground. A-- and I had a long chat afterward, and wondered if all these Turks we were killing and burying alive would have to answered for in the Hereafter..."
These two quotations add further weight to the idea that the battle and war itself was heavily romanticised, suggesting that the soldiers had no way of comprehending the destruction they would partake in. Had the soldiers fully understood the effect the war wold have on them, their initial attitude towards it may have been different, as shown by the soldiers who had the chance to hear about the battle of Gallipoli before the joined it.