Text from Gallipoli Plaques Book*
This area was the main reserve position on the right flank of ANZAC. The
flat area of Shell Green was not frequently used because it was under
direct observation from high positions on the Turkish front line; this
was the only flat land within the ANZAC perimeter. The road which winds
up the hill was originally put in place by Australian engineers soon
after the landing. it was given the name of Artillery Road, and along it
field guns of the Australian, New Zealand, British and Indian armies
were moved from the beach area. Due to accessibility, the surrounds of
this area were used to position much of the Allied artillery throughout
the campaign; ammunition dumps were located wherever protection could be
found from the Turkish guns.
The ridge above you, known as Bolton's Ridge, was the main front line
position of this area. Forward trenches were located up to 400 metres
from the main trenches. Although danger always lurked on the right flank
in that area, no major attacks were launched there by either side. The
area remained relatively stable throughout the campaign and was often
occupied by men of the Australian Light Horse. British naval fire helped
to reduce the risk of major attacks by the Turks who, however, soon
learned that such fire was fairly ineffective against their fortified
trenches. The reason for this was that the Royal Navy often fired
shrapnel shells (producing many small pieces of metal) rather than the
more damaging high explosive shells which were to cause such enormous
loss of life later in France and Belgium.
Near the end of the campaign, on 17th December, men were ordered to
stage a cricket match here in an attempt to deceive the Turks about the
impending evacuation. The match was called off when Turkish shells
landed nearby.
The next plaque, No. 5, can be seen by either: proceeding up the hill
along Artillery Road to Lone Pine; or by returning to the sealed road
and continuing back towards the Kabatepe Information Center and,
approximately 1 kilometre before reaching the Centre, taking the sealed
road to your left towards Lone Pine. The T-junction is opposite a
Turkish Army station (jandarma).
* - © - This text is taken from "Gallipoli
Plaques, A Guide to the Anzac Battlefield", by R.J.Bastiaan. 2nd
Edition Published by ANRAB Pty. Ltd. 1991.
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