The Push Inland
A week into the Gallipoli Campaign, the situation had drastically shifted. The combined forces of the French, Spanish, and Italian armies, numbering around 300,000, were making significant advances northward. Their objective was clear: to capture the Dardanelles Strait, a strategic move that would allow their navy to enter the strait without facing the deadly Ottoman batteries.
The French Army, constituting 70 percent of the coalition forces, was at the forefront of the offensive. Known for being the best and most experienced in the world, their expertise in modern warfare was evident in every maneuver and strategy. In contrast, the Ottoman Fifth Army, consisting of sixteen divisions and totaling 315,000 soldiers, was fighting with fierce determination. Despite their high numbers, many of these soldiers were inexperienced in facing such a modern and well-equipped enemy.