The Battle of Gallipoli Trivia Quiz

Answer: First Lord of the Admiralty

Although Churchill served as a member of the British Army later in WWI, in 1915 he held a political position as First Lord of the Admiralty. This position included duties such as advising the War Council and communicating with the admirals who were at sea.

Answer: Admiral Carden

Admiral Carden, who commanded the British Navy just off of the Egyptian coast, was given the task of spearheading the Gallipoli operation. Three days before the main attack was to take place, however, he fell seriously ill and had to resign.

Answer: March 18, 1915

The first "skirmishes" began on February 17, 1915. The main attack started on on March 18, 1915 just over a month after the War Council approved the plan. Ironically, it took place only days after the Ides of March.

Answer: The British admiral who had helped with the Turkish defenses was not consulted

In the years prior to 1914, the British realized that the Dardenelles Strait was weak and so sent one of their best defense admirals (Sir Arthur Limpus: Naval Advisor to the Turkish government from 1912-1914) to help the Turks to defend this important area. During the planning stages, however, he was not consulted.

Answer: They are the only link to Russia's only warm sea port

The Russians, Britain's allies, could not fend off the Germans on their own, and without access to the Black Sea (accessible to the rest of the world only through the Dardanelles) they would have no means by which to trade and therefore no sustainable economy.

Answer: No

When Admiral De Robeck took over for Admiral Carden, he attempted the naval attack, but as it had failed, he sought to bring in troops and land support, despite not having carried out reconnaissance or consulting Britain. In fact, the War Council did not even meet during the entire Gallipoli Campaign.
Churchill wasn't even consulted about it.

Answer: Australia New Zealand Army Corps

The Australia and New Zealand Army Corps fought hard and long for the British Empire, to whom they held allegiance at the time. Although this particular endeavor was a failure, the ANZAC troops became known as some of the fiercest fighters of all time and became famous as one of the greatest corps to fight in the First World War.

Answer: Vimy Ridge

During the First World War, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, which had recently gained independence within the British Empire, emerged as formidable military powers, despite some painful losses. Although Gallipoli was the failure for Australia and New Zealand, Vimy Ridge was Canada's victory and France to this day has a memorial to the Canadians who fought, died and saved Vimy Ridge.

Answer: He resigned from his post and became a soldier in the war

Winston Churchill, a humble man, felt that he was at complete fault for the failure of Gallipoli. The other members of the British Cabinet tended to agree, and as a result, Churchill decided to resign, from his post as First Lord of the Admiralty, although it cannot be conclusively proven that the Gallipoli failure is ultimately what pushed him out of office.

Answer: Ottoman Empire

The Ottoman Empire, described already in the 1840s as the 'sick man of Europe' made an effective 'last stand' at Gallipoli but it was soon to crumble.