Today in History: Successful evacuation of troops from Gallipoli

In a well-planned, well-executed, and successful operation, the withdrawal of Allied troops from Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay was completed by 20 December 1915. It was a clever plan of deception and disguise that saw 36,000 troops evacuated without a single casualty.

 

Gallipoli was a costly campaign, for both sides. 44,000 Allied soldiers died trying to take the peninsula from the Ottoman Empire, including 2779 New Zealanders. For the Ottoman Empire, victory on the peninsula came at a high price with the loss of 87,000 troops.