Boomerang Redoubt

The Boomerang Redoubt was a fortification used by the Turkish during the First World War in defense against the Allied forces at Cape Helles, Gallipoli. This stronghold was charged on the 27 June, 1915, shortly after the 1st Border Regiment received orders to ready themselves, move up and attack. Two companies, A and B, took part in the attack; A Company was to take Turkey Trench while B Company the Boomerang.

General Hamilton later described the attack by the 1st Border Regiment thus:

“At 10.45 a small Turkish advanced work in the Saghir Dere known as the Boomerang Redoubt was assaulted. The little fort, which was very strongly sited and protected by extra strong wire entanglements, has long been a source of trouble. After special bombardment by trench mortars, and while bombardment of surrounding trenches was at its height, part of The Border Regiment at the exact moment prescribed leapt from their trenches as one man, like a pack of hounds, and, pouring out of cover, raced across and took the worst most brilliantly.”

Nothing of the redoubt remains today, only the peaceful field in which it originally stood.

See also

• 1st Battalion in the Helles Operations (1915)

Glossary of words and phrases

The above term is listed in our glossary of words and phrases of the Armed Forces of Great Britain during the Great War. Included are trench slang, service terms, expressions in everyday use, nicknames, the titles and origins of British and Commonwealth Regiments, and warfare in general. These words and phrases are contemporary to the war, which is reflected in the language used. They have been transcribed from three primary sources (see Contents). Feel free to expand upon and improve this content.
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