5. Stalemate

5.1 Consolidation at Helles

Before a new advance could be considered, an uninterrupted frontline was of primary importance for the British and the French. It was absolutely necessary for the Dublin and Munster Fusiliers, together with the two companies of Hampshires, to establish a firm foothold at V-Beach. Therefore, the old fort and the entire village of Sedd-el-Bahr together with Hill 141 on the right would have to be secured.

On the morning of 26th April, after a preliminary bombardment by the fleet, these objectives were conquered. By three o' clock in the afternoon, all three were in British hands.

Due to the continuous fighting which had lasted two days, both parties were exhausted : the British dug in and fell asleep over their rifles. The Turks made use of the night to withdraw to better positions.

27th April was a lot more quiet : 6 battalions of French reinforcements landed and took positions on the right flank. The  central part of the line was now held by the 88th Brigade and the left flank by the 87th Brigade. The 86th Brigade, consisting of the 2nd Royal Fusiliers at X-Beach, the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers at W-Beach and the Dublin and Munster Fusiliers at V-Beach was kept in reserve. Late in the afternoon, the French established contact with the 2nd South Wales Borderers at S-Beach and around 18.00 h an uninterrupted front line was held, which ran from S-Beach in the east to Gully Beach, halfway between X and Y-Beach, in the west.

From these positions, and effort would be made the following day to conquer Krithia.