Gallipoli

As dawn breaks on April 25, 1915, seventeen-year-old Thomas "Tolly" Johnson and his brother Bevan are thrust into a chaotic, confusing battle for the Turkish heights when they land on the Gallipoli peninsula. They discover what it is to kill and to fear being killed. The landing proves to be a disaster, triggering an eight-month stalemate where thousands will lose their lives.

One month after the botched dawn landing, the Australians and New Zealanders are digging in, struggling to hold their position in the hills above Anzac Cove. Despite his growing fear that he will be killed at Gallipoli, when the Turks mount a massive counter-attack Tolly risks his life by charging a machine gun to protect his brother Bevan.

The Anzacs and Turks meet in No Man’s Land during an armistice to bury their dead. As they chat and exchange gifts, respect builds on both sides. Tolly’s platoon engages in a surprise midnight attack against the Turks. Meanwhile British journalist Ashmead-Bartlett finds an opportunity to outwit the military censor.

Tolly recovers from his injuries and returns to Gallipoli. He carries the bullet that almost killed him, given to him by a nursing sister in Cairo. Tolly thinks it might be a good omen, despite Two Bob’s warning it will bring nothing but bad luck.

In August, to break the stalemate at Gallipoli, General Hamilton coordinates a complicated series of feints and attacks against the Turks. As rumours of an attack circulate, Tolly quits his post as a sniper to fight side-by-side with his brother Bevan in the Battle of Lone Pine.

Ashmead-Bartlett urges the newly arrived Australian correspondent Keith Murdoch to break censorship agreements and deliver a letter criticising Hamilton’s campaign to the British Prime Minister. Together, the two men set in motion a series of events forcing London to finally intervene in the Gallipoli campaign.