On 25 May a German submarine, U51, torpedoed HMS
Triumph and two days later HMS
Majestic. Attempts were also made on HMSs
Vengeance,
Lord Nelson and three French battleships. As a consequence the warships, and transports supporting the troops on the Gallipoli peninsular were hampered in the their activities supplying the required ammunition, food, medical supplies. The provision of reinforcements and the evacuation of the wounded became problematic. Naval gun fire support for the planned August attacks was made more difficult due to this submarine threat.
By 25 May Sir Ian Hamilton estimated that the Allied losses were 38,600 killed, wounded and missing. He requested more troops to fill these gaps and was provided with two divisions for the Cape Helles sector.
In June the Russians were retreating along the Eastern front which enabled the Turks to transfer more men to Gallipoli - two whole divisions.
By
early July the Turks had managed to manoeuvre a 6" howitzer and several field guns to use against the Anzac positions. These high-explosive shells reached the 1st Divisions line causing severe damage. The howitzer shells could plunge deep into the trenches and dugouts. For the 2nd Brigade (made up of Battalions 4,5,6 and 7 all from Victoria), this meant that the 8th Battalion was subjected to barrages from 11 June to 3 July and later the 6th then 7th Battalions found the guns trained on their section. Major Flockart of the 5th Battalion who fought with Athol at the Landing and at Krithia was killed during these bombardments. Between July 13 and July 18 the 2nd Brigade lost over 130 men. The medical officers reported that, in consequence of these bombardments and of overwork, the men of the 6th and 7th, in particular, were highly-strung and jumpy. Athol mentions one of these bombardments on 18 July in the letter to his step-father, Guy Sherwood.
Throughout July the 2nd Brigade was primarily involved in tunneling, the aim of which was to detonate mines at the end of these tunnels under/near the Turkish positions.
On
11 July General Hunter Weston, who was perhaps the most responsible for the disaster at the Battle of Krithia, was replaced by Lieut. General Sir Frederick Stopford.
On 12 July the Anzacs were required to make a demonstration attack to detain the enemy whilst the main attack was being carried out at Helles. The Anzacs (Light Horse units) undertook this feint but most were not required to move beyond their front line except for those men on the extreme southern flank. The operation commenced at 8:15am on 12 July and was preceded by a short bombardment by the artillery. As soon as the Anzacs on this southern flank sprung out of their trenches the Turkish machine guns and rifles opened fire. Turkish shells were also trained on that part of the front and the bombardment continued for nearly two hours. The staff of the 2nd Brigade planned, as part of this attack, a move to throw bombs and thereby seize the crater known as D21 which was occupied by the Turks. It was not appreciated at the time that this crater led directly to the German Officers' trench. A series of raids and counter raids culminated in the loss of many men from both sides.
Towards the
end of July the senior staff drew up plans for a major attack to break the stalemate on the Gallipoli peninsular. Sir Ian Hamilton had at his command 6 British Divisions, 2 Anzac Divisions and 2 French Divisions although their numbers had been greatly reduced from their former capacities. The troops were also worn down by many weeks at the front. A description of their condition was detailed by the Assistant Director of Medical Services, Col. Neville Howse on 30 July - just one week before the men went into action at the Battle of Lone Pine. Col. Howse reports that
'The constant strain, the small quantity of water, and the climatic conditions, together with a type of diarrhoea that was producing anaemia, had undermined the men's health. Thirty percent of them were unfit and the rest were not fresh and were unlikely to be able to withstand prolonged strain.'
Hamilton's plan involved another attack towards the Turkish trenches at Lone Pine. This was to be undertaken in the early evening on 6 August. The battle continued for four days.
