Turkish Delight:
On the Slopes of Chunuk Bair

OTT Scenario: Gallipoli Peninsula, April 25, 1915

by Darryl R. Smith

Elements of the ANZAC Corps have landed a full mile north of their indented destination, "Z Beach." Encountering light resistance but obstinate terrain, they have pushed inland in their effort to secure the ridges that control the peninsula of Gallipoli. The 3rd Australian Brigade, after struggling for hours up the cliffs and gullies that dominate the landscape, has almost reached its destination of Chunuk Bair. which will ensure Allied control of the area.

However, elements of the Turkish 19th Infantry Division, under the direct command of Kemal Mustafa (later known as Ataturk), have forced marched to the same area in an effort to deny the Allies control of Chunuk Bair. In an effort to prevent the "diggers" from securing the area, the 57th Turkish Infantry Regiment is ordered to counterattack.

AUSTRALIAN ORDER OF BATTLE

3rd Australian Brigade Troop Quality: Trained, Morale: 11

    Brigade Headquarters, with:
    1 command stand

4 Infantry Battalions, each with:

    Battalion Headquarters, with:
      1 command stand
      1 machine gun stand (2 dice)

    4 Infantry Companies, each with:

      1 command infantry stand
      3 infantry stands

Off-Board Artillery: None

Notes

1. The Australian Infantry Battalions were the 9th (Queensland), 10th (South Australian), 11th (West Australian), and 12th (Tasmanian) Battalions.

TURKISH ORDER OF BATTLE

57th Infantry Regiment Troop Quality: Veteran, Morale: 9

    Regimental Headquarters, with: 1 command stand

    2 Regimental Machine Gun Companies, each with: 1 machine gun stand (3 dice, ds)

    3 Infantry Battalions, each with:

      Battalion Headquarters, with: 1 command stand

      4 Infantry Companies, each with:

        1 command infantry stand
        3 infantry stands

Off-Board Artillery

    1 75mm mountain gun (to the north)
    1 150mm howitzer (to the south)

Notes

1. Roll 1D6 to determine the amount of HE for each battery. The Turkish commander may mark up to three preplotted points for each battery on a copy of the map. Each battery has enough range to preplot a coordinate anywhere on the game surface.

SETTING UP THE GAME

The 3rd Australian Brigade starts the game on or behind the area marked as their start line. The Turkish troops enter in the marked area starting on the first turn. The game starts on the 8:00 turn and ends at the conclusion of the 11:45 turn.

Terrain:

Terrain is as shown on the map on the facing page. Treat entire board as "heath."

Victory:

To win, the Australians have a undemoralized battalion on the level 5 area of Chunuk. The Turkish player wins by controlling the victory area and by inflicting 50% casualties upon the 3rd Brigade. Any other result is a draw.

Historical Outcome:

The "diggers," as they would become known at Gallipoli for their extensive trenches, came within yards of capturing Chunuk Bair and cutting off the Turkish troops lower in the peninsula. However, there was no commanding officer present who had the authority to secure the heights, and the Australians meandered aimlessly, not knowing where to go.

Kemal Mustafa, commanding the 19th Division, realized the importance of the heights, and launched wave after wave of attacks to keep the Australians at bay. Kemal sacrificed his command, but managed to secure the heights, helping to prolong Gallipoli into a siege that lasted for many months.

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© Copyright 1995 by Greg Novak.
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