Panoramic view of the Dardanelles fleet by unknown British Navy photographer.
Image in public domain.
- Allied warships begin to bombard Turkish forts guarding the entrance to the Dardanelles. The objective is to force a passage through the strait and attack the Ottoman capital Constantinople (present-day Istanbul). Attempts continue for a further two months, culminating in a ground invasion of British, Australian and New Zealand troops on 25 April.
- The Leader publishes a letter from Corporal Bowling, written from Mena Camp in Egypt. Bowling, a Sydney flour miller, wrote the letter to Mr Arkins of Millthorpe: He reports that soldiers have been issued with a single shot of ammunition to use in the event of enemy torture.
- The Leader reports that soldiers are in good health, but are found to be suffering from cacoethes scribendi*
* cacoethes scribendi – an insatiable urge to write
