| Place | Middle East: Ottoman Empire, Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli, Anzac Area (Gallipoli), Lone Pine Area, Lone Pine |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | RELAWM00400 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Heraldry |
| Physical description | Steel |
| Location | Main Bld: First World War Gallery: The Anzac Story: Gallipoli: Life at Anzac 1 |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Date made | 1915 |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
Loophole plate : Lone Pine, Gallipoli
Description
Rectangular steel loophole plate made from two layers of thick sheet steel. The outer layer is 9 mm thick and the inner layer is 7 mm thick. The pieces are held together by dome shaped rivets. In the centre of the plate small horizontally aligned viewing slit, 46 mm high and 12mm wide, is cut through both layers. The plate was originally secured into position by four nuts and bolts - one on each corner. Only two of the nuts and bolts are still present. The plate has numerous holes and dents created by Turkish fire.
History / Summary
This loophole plate, riddled with bullet holes, was found at Lone Pine, Gallipoli on 8 January 1919 by members of the Australian War Records Section (AWRS). The small party of AWRS staff, led by Lieutenant William Hopkin James, worked on Gallipoli between December 1918 and March 1919, taking photographs and collecting items for the national collection.
Loopholes were built into parapets to allow a soldier to see out of a trench without exposing his head to enemy fire. This steel plate was fitted to a loophole at Lone Pine to help protect the soldiers from Turkish bullets.