IN THEIR FOOTSTEPS (SUVLA TREK)

Eceabat - Suvla Sector - Eceabat

As part of the Allied August offensive, thousands of British troops were landed in and around Suvla Bay, to the north of Anzac Cove to support the advance of New Zealand and Australian troops trying to break out of their positions and capture the high ground on the left flank of the Anzac sector.

After weeks of heavy and often confused fighting, the Suvla landing failed, with the Turkish defenders containing the new offensive. Four months of trench warfare followed for the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh troops of the corps before the Suvla position, along with the Anzac sector, was evacuated.

Among the sites visited on our tour are:

-Little Lala Baba, a small hill just above the coast where the first British troops landed on the night of August 6–7, with the capture of the hill being the first attack carried out by men of the British New Army.

-Big Lala Baba, the hill just to the north of the landing beach where much of the British artillery was based during the campaign. To the west, on the coast, the remains of a pier built by the Royal Australian Navy’s engineering unit from which some of the last troops evacuated Suvla on December 20 can be seen.

-Chocolate and Green Hills, two low hills on the Suvla plain that were heavily fought over in the early days of August, with the final front line in the areas settling just forward of Green Hill, now site of one of the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemeteries in the Suvla sector.

-Scimitar Hill, scene of heavy fighting both in the days after the landing and on August 21, the last great battle of the campaign in which the British attempted a final breakthrough, their attack being held at great cost by the Turkish defenders.

-Anafarta Suvla Museum, a private museum located in the village of Büyükanafarta that contains relics from the campaign, including uniforms, original maps, personal belongings and equipment.

Advice for visitors

This walk is relatively easy, with little climbing involved. However, it is advised that solid shoes be worn, and that guests bring a hat and carry adequate water with them, as temperatures can be hot, especially in the summer months.