Battle of Lone PinePrint Page
The pine tree commemorates the Battle of Lone Pine which was conducted during the Gallipoli campaign in World War One.
The Battle of Lone Pine was intended as a tactical diversion from attempts by New Zealand and Australian units to force a breakout from the ANZAC perimeter in the north at Chunuk Bair and Hill 971.
The Lone Pine attack, launched by the 1st Brigade, AIF, took place in the late afternoon of 6 August 1915 and pitched Australian forces against formidable entrenched Turkish positions, sections of which were securely roofed over with pine logs. In some instances the attackers had to break in through the roofs of the trench systems in order to engage the defenders. The main Turkish trench was taken within 20 minutes of the initial charge, but this was the prelude to four days of intense hand-to-hand fighting, resulting in more than 2,000 Australian casualties. Turkish losses were estimated at 7,000. Seven Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross for this battle.
Location
Address: | Main Avenue (Landsborough Highway) , Ilfracombe Memorial Park, Ilfracombe, 4727 |
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State: | QLD |
Area: | AUS |
GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -23.489583 Long: 144.506677 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
Monument Type: | Tree |
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Monument Theme: | Conflict |
Sub-Theme: | WW1 |
Actual Event Start Date: | 06-August-1915 |
Actual Event End Date: | 10-August-1915 |
Dedication
Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Thursday 25th April, 2002 |
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Ilfracombe will not forget
On 6 August 1915 Australian soldiers began an assault to capture Lone Pine, high on the Gallipoli Peninsula. After a desperate week long battle the Australians took their objective - at a cost of 2273 dead. Seven Australians were awarded the Victoria Cross for valour at Lone Pine, more than in any other single action in our military history.
The pine tree which grew on the battlefield came to symbolise Australian sacrifice at Gallipoli, and in all wars.
This descendant of that tree was planted here on ANZAC Day 2002.