

4
BRAW LADDIES AMIDST THE CLASH OF THE EMPIRES
The decision to mount the Gallipoli
operation was the climax of a struggle
in the British Government over future
strategy. The Ottoman Empire (today
Turkey) had formed an alliance with
Germany and Austria-Hungary in
August 1914 but had not entered the
war until the end of October. The
British and French Navies could open
the warm-water route to Russia so that
both countries could give more direct
support to Russia in its war with
Germany on the eastern front. In
addition success here might enable the
WH Y G A L L I P O L I ?
The Dardanelles is a long narrow strait dividing Europe from Asia Minor
along the Gallipoli peninsula.