I have the honour to forward herewith an account of the operations
carried out on April 25 and 26, 1915, during which period the
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force was landed and firmly established in
the Gallipoli Peninsula.
The landing commenced at 4.20 a.m. on 25th. The general scheme was as
follows:
Two main landings were to take place, the first at a point just north
of Gaba Tepe, the second on the southern end of the peninsula. In
addition a landing was to be made at Kum Kale, and a demonstration in
force to be carried out in the Gulf of Xeros near Bulair.
The night of the 24th-25th was calm and very clear, with a brilliant
moon, which set at 3 a.m.
The first landing, north of Gaba Tepe, was carried out under the orders
of Rear-Admiral C. F. Thursby, C.M.G. His squadron consisted of the
following ships:
Battleships. Cruiser. Destroyers. Seaplane Trawlers. Balloon
Carrier. Ship.
_Queen_ _Bacchante_ _Beagle_ _Ark Royal_ 15 _Manica_
_London_ _Bulldog_
_Prince of _Foxhound_
_Wales_ _Scourge_
_Triumph_ _Colne_
_Majestic_ _Usk_
_Chelmer_
_Ribble_
To _Queen_, _London_, and _Prince of Wales_ was delegated the duty of
actually landing the troops. To _Triumph_, _Majestic_, and _Bacchante_
the duty of covering the landing by gunfire.
In this landing a surprise was attempted. The first troops to be landed
were embarked in the battleships _Queen_, _London_, and _Prince of
Wales_.
The squadron then approached the land at 2.58 a.m. at a speed of 5
knots. When within a short distance of the beach selected for landing
the boats were sent ahead. At 4.20 a.m. the boats reached the beach and
a landing was effected.
The remainder of the infantry of the covering force were embarked at 10
p.m., 24th.