Conk Slope - Inscriptions and Turkish Trenches

The Conk Bayırı Inscriptions and Turkish Trenches: Following the Allied landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25, 1915, bloody fighting continued until the end of May. Although the Ottoman defenses were forced to retreat a few hundred meters in the face of these attacks, supported by the heavily heavy artillery of the Allied Fleet, they put up stubborn resistance. These few hundred-meter advances resulted in unexpectedly heavy losses for the Allied Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. By the end of May, the Ottoman defenses had become firmly entrenched, and the positions were locked, just as on the European front.

General Sir Ian Hamilton, commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, continuously requested reinforcements from Allied high command to break this stalemate. In response to these requests, some units were transferred to the region within the following two months.

General Hamilton decided to use these reinforcements on two fronts. A portion of the troops transferred to the region would reinforce the 2nd Division of the ANZAC Corps, and a flanking offensive would be launched from the northern flank of the Ari Burnu Front. The majority of the reinforcements would land north of the Ari Burnu Front, opening a new front. Both operations were planned to begin on the same day, August 6, 1915.

This flanking offensive by the reinforced ANZAC 2nd Division is known as Operation Sarı Bayır. Operation Sarı Bayır aimed to occupy the line that the Allies called "Sarı Bayır," encompassing Kocaçimen Hill – Besim Hill – Conk Bayırı and Düztepe. ANZAC forces would advance northward in two columns on the left flank of the front, then turn left and continue their advance eastward. The right column, further south, would capture Conk Bayırı via Şahintepe. The left flank, splitting in two at Ağıldere, would capture Kocaçimen Hill and Besim Hill. The attacks launched by the ANZAC Division's right flank task force against the Ottoman positions at Conk Bayırı, and the counter-attacks by the Ottoman forces, are known as the Battles of Conk Bayırı.