"The Battle for Sari Bair" Topic

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Amicalement
Armand

An absolute bloody disaster. There probably isn't an Australian or New Zealand family that doesn't have an ancestor or two who fought at Gallipoli. I lost a great uncle at Lone Pine. No one can doubt the courage or dedication of the Turks to protect their homeland or the allied troops (Australian, New Zealand, British, Indian and French) who fought to capture the heights and close the Dardanelles Straights. The sheer incompetence of allied leadership is astounding.

Chunuk Bair is less than two Kilometers from the Aegean; it looks like the northern most half kilometer of the perimeter was only a couple hundred meters from the sea. No wonder that amphibious operations in the next war put so much emphasis on getting off the beach.

Grelber

The initial battle to get off the beaches on 25 April 1915 is modelled here:

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And here:

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I am just in the process of play testing the Sari Bair assault. First, a view of the Ottoman defenders. These are Baccus 6mm Ottoman and Arab figures (the latter are used to represent Jandarma companies – not historically correct but look cool):

The battlefield set up here. The photo is taken in the opposite direction to the drawing above:

And a shot mid-way through the battle, with the New Zealand Brigade wending its way up Rhododendrum Ridge:

This phase of the battle (the night of 6/7 August) took place in complete darkness but that doesn't make for good photos ;-)

Robert

Many thanks….!

Excellent monk2002uk !!!!!!!

Congrats!!!!

Amicalement
Armand

what rule system do you use? nice work,

Thank you. I use Great War Spearhead for the rule set.

Here is another view of the set up, illustrating the starting positions for the battle:

The plan involved a series of outflanking manoeuvres to gain and control Sari Bair ridge. There were two sets of forces: one set to neutralise the Ottoman forces on the lower ground to the north of the ridge (represented by the entrenchments at Walden's Post, Bauchop's Hill, Old No. 3 Post, and Table Top in the photo) and then head up Rhododendrum Ridge to capture Chunuk Bair; and the other set to advance on a wide left hook (not illustrated in this photo). Both sets of assault forces were divided into a Covering Force and an Attacking Force. The photo illustrates the Left Covering Force (line of infantry companies next to the shoreline) and the Right Covering Force, which was tasked with neutralising the various outposts and opening up the route to Rhododendrum Ridge for the Right Attacking Force.

One of the problems that beset the attack is well illustrated in this photo. There was very little room for the forces to deploy quickly and advance, particularly as the attack took place at night. There is no separate route/s for the two attacking forces. Both were dependent on the covering forces clearing their lines quickly. Even then, the bigger attacking forces would be funnelled into narrow lines of advance that could easily be delayed. The Left Attacking Force, for example, is not on-table yet but would be forming up near the top right shoreline as the Left Covering Force set out. The Left Attacking Force then had to make its way along the shoreline and turn inland past the bottom edge of Walden's Post.

The mountainous terrain is modelled with layers of Hexon terrain pieces, covered in a battlemat. Each layer represents a 20m contour; there are almost 20 layers at the highest point on the table. The deep ravines were carved out by streams known as Dere. They are represented by TimeCast latex streams, painted to represent dry stream beds. The two most important streams, Chailak Dere and Sazli Beit Dere, are labelled above.

The main Ottoman and ANZAC trench lines can be seen top right. The Battle of Sari Bair was designed to outflank these lines, which had contained the ANZAC landing forces since 25 April 1915.

Robert

Wow!… this is Great!!.

Amicalement
Armand

Another view of the main Ottoman defences, which the attack was designed to bypass:

The forward positions were defended by 16th and 19th Divisions (right to left in the photo). The troop densities were so great that I could not fit in all the infantry company stands. The TimeCast trenches are completely covered.

Robert

Here's the beginning of the attack north of Sari Bair ridge:

The figures are Baccus 6mm Great War miniatures. The terrain has been modelled with Kallistra Hexon terrain pieces, covered with a terrain mat from DeepCut Studios, sourced in the UK through Red Red Bat. The trench sections and dried stream beds are latex products from TimeCast. I don't have any commercial affiliations with any of these companies.

Robert

Very very nice!

Amicalement
Armand

An overhead shot of the two covering forces lined up along the shoreline. In reality it was pitch black at night, approaching 9pm:

Here are the command arrows for the Right and Left Attacking Columns:

In the Great War Spearhead ruleset, each command arrow forms the expected line of advance for the designated HQ stand. All other stands in the command are then expected to conform to the movement of the HQ, within the HQ's zone of command control. In some games, the infantry companies can advance in an extended line within these restrictions. This was not the case in most instances during the Battle of Sari Bair. As you will see, most advances were conducted in line of company due to restrictions in the terrain. The advance up Rhododendron Ridge is a good example.

Robert

Turning to a more nautical theme, here is HMS Colne opening fire. She was a River-Class destroyer that had been approaching the shore, illuminating Old No. 3 Post with her searchlight and firing 30 minutes into the Ottoman position for several nights before the attack. This 'trained' the Ottoman defenders to take cover at the exact time that the Right Covering Force was due to go into action during the battle:

The fire markers are from Litko. Here is another ship that provided naval gunfire support, HMS Bacchante:

She was a cruiser that supported the attack on Lone Pine. The model is from Navis Neptun, which produces a superb range of WW1 and pre-WW1 ships.

Robert

This is another Navis Neptun model as well. It is a British monitor. Several were used to provide naval gunfire support. The shallow draft of the monitors meant they were not vulnerable to submarine attacks. Monitors provided direct fire as well as counter-battery fire during the battle.

Here is HMS Colne opening fire, with the R and L Covering Forces ready to jump-off.

Robert

Great!.

Amicalement
Armand

The Ottoman infantry company is suppressed in Old No. 3 Post, which is made up of a short length of TimeCast trench. The explosion and suppression markers are from Litko. The suppression marker is a scenario-specific phenomenon, representing the Ottomans taking cover in the usual way based on the previous night attacks by HMS Colne. Her naval gunfire was not powerful enough to inflict any further damage before the New Zealand Mounted Rifles assault went in.

Heavy land-based and naval gunfire falling on the Ottoman 47th infantry Regiment. The assault took place some 7 hours before Sari Bair got underway but hey, looks impressive.

Robert

Here is a view of the opening attack, as if taken from an observation balloon during daylight hours. In reality it was after 9pm, which doesn't make for great photos ;-)

The tails of both covering forces moving past the outer edge of the Ottoman defensive line. This was a significant choke point for the advancing units, which had to form up in the narrow beachhead and then file along the coastline:

Robert

One of the most fascinating battles I have ever come across- I spent a day walking ANZAC twenty years ago, and remember it vividly. Hoping to follow in your footsteps at some point (using GDW's old "Over the Top" rules with some adaptations from that era's "Combined Arms" to deal with NGF, etc.

Curious- what source did you use for the trench maps? I am contemplating building a model of Sari Bair in 1/285, but it appears as if most of the French maps I can find online date from probably September, 1915- they show the "bite" the ANZACs took out of Line Pine, and the systems they built at the Apex and the Turkish entrenchment day the Farm, so it's hard to guess as what kind of a defensive system there was north of Battleship Hill prior to August 6 (if any). Rhodes' book makes it sound like there were some old entrenchments, but his maps are very coarse.

Thank you. I have used various sources for the trench maps. The most helpful have been Ottoman maps from the official history of the war. Erickson has a good map in his book 'Gallipoli: The Ottoman Campaign'.

Robert

The assault on Old No. 3 Post can be seen in the middle of this photo:

The Ottoman defenders had been iluminated by HMS Colne and were spotted from the outset. Another regiment of NZ Mounted Rifles can be seen at the bottom, heading for Walden's Post. To the right of Old No. 3 Post, a third mounted rifles regiment is heading for Table Top.

A closer view of the assault going in. White markers are used to indicate a combat move in Great War Spearhead. It is a half-move, which then enables the unit to open fire in the next phase.

Robert

Old No. 3 Post was quickly overrun, as happened historically:

The assault went in with bayonets; the men were not permitted to load their rifles beforehand in order to assure fire discipline.

The next photo shows the attack going in on Walden's Post:

In addition, the regiment that assaulted Old No. 3 Post has advanced to attack the Ottoman defensive position on Bauchop's Hill. Further up, a Litko explosion marker can be seen on Table Top position. This represents the combined fire of HMS Colne and from a land-based howitzer battery. A third New Zealand Mounted Rifles regiment is posed to follow through after the barrage.

Robert

With the R Covering Force well underway on their tasks, the L Covering Force can be seen wending its way along the coastline.

It is following the intended route, which will take the lead unit past the outer flank of Walden's Post, top-left in the photo. In practice, the force attempted to take a short cut following the dry water course that runs between Walden's Post and Bauchop's Hill, directly opposite the position of HMS Colne in the bay. This bypass led to huge delays as the alternative route was not suitable for major troop movements.

Here is a view of R Covering Force taking down the various defensive outposts:

The Ottoman defenders of both Table Top and Bauchop's Hill are suppressed. The route to Rhododendron Ridge is not clear yet though. Here is a photo of the empty trenches on Bauchop's Hill:

And this is the officer that the hill is named after, Colonel Arthur Bauchop:

He was the commander of the Canterbury Mounted Rifles Regiment that assaulted the hill on 6th August 1915. Bauchop was mortally wounded during the assault and died subsequently on 10th August.

Robert

The Ottomans are stoutly defending Bauchop's Hill (foreground in the next photo), Table Top, and the lower reaches of Rhododendron Ridge:

The Mounted Rifles have sustained some casuaties in frontal assaults but other squadrons have managed to manoeuvre onto the flank of Bauchop's Hill. New Zealand MGs will be coming into play next turn.

The left flank Mounted Rifles regiment is now assaulting Waldens Point. In the foreground, the Left Covering Column has almost reached the area. The South Wales Borderers are leading the way.

Here is a view of Walden's Point, taken from offshore:

Robert

News of the attacks filtered back quickly through the Ottoman chain of command. For the purposes of this scenario, I mobilised Willmer's Force as the reinforcements for the Ottoman deep right flank. Here are the first two battalions of the composite force:

In reality, Willmer's Force was absorbed in defending the Suvla Bay landings. The reinforcements for Sari Bair were 2 & 3 Battalions of 14th Infantry Regiment. Their colleagues in 1/14 IR were defending Walden's Post, etc.

In this photo, Walden's Post has been captured. Left Covering Force is making its way unhindered inland.

Robert

Here is a closer view of New Zealand Engineers clearing a wire obstacle across the entrance to Aghyl Dere, which is the path that the Indian Brigade is expected to follow:

British infantry continue filing past. All of the figures are from the Baccus 6mm Great War range. You can get some impression of the steep terrain leading up to Sari Bair in the photo.

In the middle distance of this next photo is the fight for Bauchop's Hill. The Litko marker represents a suppressed Ottoman infantry company, which is unable to move or return fire but can participate in a close assault albeit at significantly reduced effectiveness.

Robert

Here is a close-up view of an Ottoman regimental HQ stand, representing Willmer's Force headquarters. There is a cavalry squadron attached as well:

In the next photo, the New Zealand Brigade has begun its ascent up Rhododendron Ridge. The lead infantry company has run into an Ottoman company defending the Apex:

The New Zealand infantry company has been suppressed. Lower down and to the left, Table Top has been overrun by the New Zealand Mounted Rifles.

Robert

Here are the covering and assault columns wending their way around the shoreline:

Meanwhile, more Ottoman reinforcements are arriving at the far side of the table:

The entry of Willmer's Force was staggered, requiring two order changes. The dice complied. The Ottoman regular infantry are already in a defensive line, with the greener bases. The two Jandarma battalions are entering the area in columns of companies. The men are Baccus 6mm Arab Regulars, not historically correct but it highlights the difference between the two types of infantry. In practice, the Jandarma battalions acquitted themselves very well. They were mostly in action against the Suvla Bay landings, which are not represented in this game.

Robert

In this photo, the lead company of Left Covering Force has stumbled into a reserve company of 1/14 Infantry Regiment. This action is taking place at night, hence the close proximity needed to detect an opposing force:

It was the 4th Company of the Ottoman 14th Infantry Regiment; sister company to the men that had held Old No. 3 Post, Walden's Point and Bauchop's Hill. The advance is stalled, as the South Wales Borderers company has been suppressed by the unexpected fusillade of fire.

Despite what is written in many accounts of the battle, the Ottoman command was not inactive as the attack unfolded. Two reserve companies from 72nd Infantry Regiment have been released. They are making their way up the reverse slope, heading for Chunuk Bair. Their sister companies were holding the right flank of the Ottoman 19th Division line, including the Apex and Table Top.

Robert

It didn't take long for the Left Covering Force to clear the resistance and resume progress with the left hook. In truth, the Ottoman commander decided to withdraw the lone infantry company. It stood little chance otherwise and was better placed falling back towards Willmer's Force. The latter is holding the spur that leads up to Hill 971.

Further right, the New Zealand Brigade attacking column can be seen. You can just make out the suppression marker on the Ottoman company holding the Apex.

Another view of the struggle for the Apex. Despite being suppressed now, the Ottoman company is still holding up the New Zealanders. There is no way of outflanking the position, which is set across the narrow Rhododendron Ridge.

Robert

The lead elements of Left Covering Force are approaching the left flank of Willmer's Force. Hill 971 can clearly be seen at the top end of the Ottoman infantry line. Neither force can see each other yet; dawn is still several hours away:

Below Chunuk Bair, the New Zealanders have cleared the resistance on the Apex. The Right Attacking Column has resumed the advance to the high ground, which is now occupied by the two companies from 72nd Infantry Regiment. Just to the left is the Ottoman mountain gun battery:

Robert

Left Covering Force has reached its objectives and is fanning out in front of Willmer's Force. The Ottomans (left of picture) can just make out the lead elements in the dark but have chosen to hold fire. The Ottoman positions have not been spotted yet as they are on higher ground:

With the Left Covering Force in place, the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade from the Left Assault Column has begun to manoeuvre towards its first objective – the ridgeline occupied by Willmer's Force. The lead company has run into the last remaining of company of 14th Infantry Regiment again. The Ottoman company had withdrawn from its first encounter with Left Covering Force near Australia Valley:

Robert

Excellent!.

Amicalement
Armand

This next photo shows the action near Chunuk Bair. The head of Right Attacking Column has taken heavy fire from the high ground around Chunuk Bair. Two New Zealand infantry companies took heavy casualties in quick succession as they came into view:

On the ANZAC left flank, the Australians were fast approaching the middle of Willmer's Force. Having detected the Australian advance, the Ottoman commander chose this time to engage the Left Covering Force. It posed a significant threat to the exposed right flank of Willmer's Force. One South Wales Borderers' company has been lost; another is suppressed. One Jandarma company took heavy return fire subsequently and won't take any further part in the battle:

Robert

At this point, the Indian Brigade has turned and is heading towards Hill Q. The brigade comprised 3 Gurkha Regiments and a Sikh Regiment. It is following the line of a ravine or dere. Hill Q lies at the head of the left-hand fork in the Y shape set of ravines, which are made from TimeCase latex river sections:

Ahead of the Australian Brigade, the Ottoman defenders are holding their defensive position along the ridge. Here is a Jandarma battalion on the far right flank:

Robert

Here is a close-up of South Wales Borderers infantry companies, duking it out with the Ottomans on Abdul Rahman ridge. The men are wearing their tropical helmets. One of the stands has been suppressed by the incoming fire:

And here are elements of 4th Australian Brigade, keen to get to grips with 'Johnny Turk':

Robert

The New Zealand Brigade has been forced back to the Pinnacle. A New Zealand MG company has managed to engage one of the Ottoman infantry companies, inflicting a suppression. This will decrease some of the fire from the high ground next turn but it is still a very tall order to push up Rhododendron Ridge. There just isn't any room to manoeuvre laterally:

Here is the Sikh battalion, following at the rear of the Indian Brigade. These are 6mm Baccus Indian figures from the Great War range:

Robert

PS: As a side note, my maternal Grandfather served in the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps. He was not at Gallipoli; the NZMGC was not formed until after the NZ Division was formed in France.

Here is a Gurkha battalion (left) followed by the Sikh battalion. The Indian Brigade has taken the left fork, which heads towards Hill Q. Historically, they took the wrong direction and many units ended up near the New Zealanders. It was a night for wrong directions, not surprisingly given the terrain and the darkness:

An overhead shot of the evolving encounter battle on the Ottoman right flank. 4th Australian Infantry Brigade is beginning to deploy against the sole survivor of 1/14th Infantry Regiment, seen occupying the ravine. Willmer's Force is squarely blocking access to the only route up to Hill 971. The rest of the Australian brigade is beginning to manoeuvre against the Ottoman right flank battalion, which became visible when it opened fire on the Left Covering Force:

Robert

Excellent Robert!…

Amicalement
Armand

In this photo, the Indian Brigade is continuing its tortuous climb towards Hill Q:

Here is a view of the New Zealand Brigade, still struggling to make any headway on Rhododendron Ridge:

Robert

Thank you, Armand.

Robert

Here is a wider view of the attack, though it was still dark at this time. Beyond the far table edge, the Suvla Bay landings were unfolding. We will be including this action alongside Sari Bair in the Joy of Six Show, Sheffield 2020:

The resolute Ottoman infantry companies continue to defend the high ground around Chunuk Bair. One stand is suppressed for the moment but the narrow ridge means that the other stand is sufficient to slow the New Zealand Brigade advance:

Robert

This view is taken across Battleship Hill and Sniper's Ridge. The suppressed Ottoman stand middle-left has been engaging the New Zealand Mounted Rifles in the ravine below. Machine guns have inflicted the suppression. The defenders in the trenches have been unable to move; Ottoman order changes have either failed or have been diverted to support counter-attacks on Lone Pine. The two successful order changes were used to deploy the two parts of Willmer's Force:

Action continues on the ANZAC right flank. Willmer's Force has lost two left flank companies but it is the British and Dominion units that have suffered more casualties. More importantly, no progress has been made towards the ground of tactical importance. The Indian Brigade advance is unmolested by fire; it is struggling with the terrain:

Robert

Is this not where Mustafa Kemal (Ataturk) first came to prominence?

B

Mustafa Kemal first came to prominent notice during the ANZAC landings on 25th April 1915.

Robert

Here is Mustafa Kemal's 57th Infantry Regiment reaching Chunuk Bair during the first day of the landings at Anzac Cove.

And here is his divisional HQ stand:

Robert

Here we see the New Zealand Brigade attempting to make forward progress again. Some units have attempted to leap-frog forwards. The white markers indicate a half-move in the movement phase, which will enable some fire to be brought to bear in the last firing phase:

Further over, the right flank of Willmer's Force is being whittled away. The Indian Brigade continues an uninterrupted advance towards Hill Q.

Robert

At the Pinnacle on Rhododendron Ridge, MG fire has combined with musketry to suppress the second Ottoman infantry company. No real progress forwards though. The tail of the brigade can be seen stretching all the way back towards the beach:

The same action on Chunuk Bair, as seen from the Ottoman perspective:

Robert

On the next turn, the Indian Brigade continues up the Dere. It is hidden in defilade from the left flank of Willmer's Force, as well as by the darkness. The time is around 0200 hours.

4th Australian Brigade is now focused squarely on Willmer's Force. Several stands have conducted combat moves, indicated with the white markers. These stands may come under fire from the stationary Ottoman infantry companies in range; if the Australians survive then they will be able to return fire. The Australians are attempting to bring converging fire to bear on the exposed flank of Willmer's Force.

Robert

A close-up view of the Sikh Battalion, overwatched by the Cantanbrian Mounted Rifles holding Walden's Point:

A close-up view of the Aussies as they manoeuvre forwards. More MGs are being brought forward, adding fire power and range to the firing line that is building against Willmer's Force:

Robert

Another view of the Aussie push, illustrating the undulating terrain created by the Hexon layers under the battle mat. The Australians are emerging from what was named ‘Australian Valley' after the battle:

Despite the build up of 4th Australian Brigade, Willmer's Force continues to hotly contest posession of Abdul Rahman Spur. This is the only route to Hill 971, which is the highest point along the Sari Bair ridge. The HQ stand can be seen in the background top left:

Robert