Trenches at Gallipoli

[tongue_tied_danny]

I have read that the trenches at certain parts of the Gallipoli battlefield were very close together. For example the Anzac and Turkish trenches at Quinn's Post were a mere 15 metres apart.

How was it possible for opposing armies to construct trenches so close together?

[nigelcave]

And if you think that was close, consider how close the lines were in parts of the Vosges - at one place, with a bit of footling about, you can actually shake hands with the guy in the opposing trench!

[MartinWills]

At Quinns there really wasn't enough room for them to be 15M apart at various places. The Turks were simply trying to push the Aussies over the edge, literally. Mining and covered saps helped.

[Bob Doneley]

Also, the trenches at Quinn's ran along a ridge, the Turks on one side, the Australians on the other. Initially the trenches were dug further apart, but sapping allowed them to be extended forward without digging in the open.

[Bryn]

Trenches were often 'sapped' (dug from below ground level) until they came that close together, but at Quinn's Post, some Australian trenches which could not be held were occupied by the Turks and these actually did join each other. Bomb-stops were erected to keep at least some distance between the opposing occupants.

[MartinWills]

Anyone interested in Quinn's post and the fighting there should read Peter Stanley's excellent book "Quinn's Post".