Hello everyone!
Now that you have an idea how the Expedition game mode works, it’s time to explore one of the maps of Gallipoli: Ctesiphon! We’ll also be taking a look at two of your standard rifle options. But first, let’s dive into the Battle of Ctesiphon!
Battle of Ctesiphon
British forces landed in Mesopotamia in November 1914 to capture the valuable port of Basra and secure ongoing access to the oil fields. The following year, having been reinforced, Major-General Charles Townshend commanding the 6th (Poona) Indian Division resolved to march inland, following the River Tigris. Having captured the city of Kut Al Amra in September 1915, Baghdad now seemed to lay within reach. However, Townshend’s supply lines were becoming stretched and his single division was a long way into Ottoman territory.
© National Portrait Gallery, London, NPG x81092,
https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/use-this-image.php?mkey=mw73623
Despite this, Townshend was determined to push on. It was whilst moving towards Baghdad that his forces encountered a well-prepared Ottoman defensive position in the ruins of the ancient city of Ctesiphon on 21st November 1915. A strong defensive redoubt, known as the Vital Point secured one flank of the Ottoman line. Capturing this became Townshend’s prime objective and he ordered a dawn attack to begin on the 22nd November. However, although attacking forces – heavily composed of Indian and Gurkha soldiers – were able to seize part of the front line, they could not break through. Furthermore, the battlefield was proving to be deceptive – the Ottomans were able to flood various hidden irrigation ditches to make reaching the trenches much more difficult.
Casualties at the end of the first day were heavy and after trading attacks and counter-attacks on the 23rd, both the British and Ottoman forces were nearly at breaking point. The Ottoman general in command – Nureddin Pasha – decided to withdraw his forces rather than risk them being overrun. However, upon realising that the British were also retreating, he changed his mind and took up the pursuit. The remnants of Townshend’s forces retreated back to the city of Kut where they were soon besieged.
Ctesiphon in Gallipoli
Ctesiphon is an open map set on the ruins of the ancient city of its namesake. The Arch of Ctesiphon, or Tāq Kasrā, is most of what remains to this day, close to the current course of the river Tigris. It has three sectors to control, with a Headquarters each and an Optional Objective for the first two. Be sure to check out the Game Mode blog if you haven’t already!
The first sector features a small section of the wall that once protected the ancient city of Ctesiphon. It doesn’t stand as tall as it once did, but still provides great cover to whoever’s dug in here. The other objective is the Vital Point and allows you to spot anyone who dares go over the top.
Sector 2 has you battle under the Arch of Ctesiphon itself. It provides great cover to those who control the objective and funnels the engagement into a few chokepoints. The other side of the sector sits on top of the Gurkha Mound, providing a view over most of Ctesiphon.
The third sector sits right by the banks of the Tigris. Sand makes way for more fertile soil and crops as we close in on the final Headquarters objective. This large HQ is a series of supply and artillery pits, split in two by an offshoot of the river.
As the battle progresses, a sandstorm rolls in and changes the battlefield completely. Not only does the sand get everywhere, it also decreases your vision to just a couple meters ahead of you.
It’s not all bad news though, as limited vision also brings new opportunities. No man’s land is now a lot less dangerous than before, so a lot more engagements will take place on and around the objectives. Maybe ditch your sniper rifle for something with a little less magnification.
The Arsenal
Now, if you’re heading to the front, you’re going to need something to fight with. Let’s take a look at two staples of the British and Ottoman armies!
Short Magazine Lee-Enfield Mk.III
Commonly known as the SMLE Mk.III, or “Smelly”, this is the quintessential Lee-Enfield rifle used by forces of the British Empire on the Ottoman Front. Over 5 million SMLE Mk.III rifles and variants thereof were produced during WW1.
The SMLE Mk.III has a 10-round box magazine to be loaded with two 5-round charger clips. It comes equipped with a rear sight arrangement, fixed charger guide, a magazine cut-off system and a handy field cleaning kit stored in the buttstock. Got to keep it in mint condition!
Mauser 1903
The Mauser 1903, or Ottoman Mauser, is a Gewehr 98 modified for use by the Ottoman Army, produced in Germany. The bolt arm had been curved to block the stripper clip when inserting rounds, the receiver, cocking cam and firing pin were made larger and longer and the rifle could be fitted with older Ottoman bayonets, to name a few of the changes made.
Around 200,000 rifles were received by the Ottomans by 1905 and distributed across the empire, remaining in Turkish service until the 60s.
That’s it for today! Hope you like this first (proper) look at Ctesiphon and two of the weapons coming to Gallipoli. Stay tuned for more information coming soon, and please double check if Gallipoli is on your wishlist!