Chunuk Bair

Chunuk Bair Movie Poster Country New Zealand Directed by Dale G. Bradley Release Date 1992 Language English Turkish Studio Avalon/NFU Daybreak Pictures Distributor Hoyts Main Cast Character Actor Sgt. Maj. Frank Smith Robert Powell Col. Connolly Kevin J. Wilson Porky John Leigh Smiler Murray Keane Bassett Danny Mulheron Lt. Harkness Richard Hanna

Chunuk Bair is a 1992 New Zealand movie directed by Dale G. Bradley and tells the story of the New Zealand Wellington Regiment which takes part in the Gallipoli campaign to gain control of the ridge known as Chunuk Bair. The Wellington Regiment under British command has been ordered to conquer Mount Chunuk Bair on the Turkish peninsula of Gallipoli. Sergeant Major Frank South thinks this is a suicide mission. But the New Zealanders do indeed conquer the summit after three days with heavy losses. But then the British supplies fail to arrive.

The following weapons were used in the film Chunuk Bair:

Revolvers

Webley Mk. VI

ANZAC officers including Col. Connolly (Kevin J. Wilson) are armed with Webley .455 Mk VI revolvers. Sgt. Maj. Frank Smith (Robert Powell) is also seen firing a Webley at the beginning during the landing on Gallipoli beach.

Webley Mark IV - .455 Webley

Frank fired a shot at Pvt. Fred South (Jed Brophy) to wound him. Note the shorter barrel compared to a standard Mk VI, but the shape of the grip is from this Webley type.

The Webley of Col. Connolly seen on the table with a map of Chunuk Bair.

Col. Connolly holds up his revolver to signal a charge.

He brandishes his Webley during that charge.

Rifles

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mk. III

The Lee-Enfield No.1 Mk.III rifle, and the improved Mk. III*, is the standard weapon for the ANZAC including Sgt. Maj. Frank Smith, Porky (John Leigh), Bassett (Danny Mulheron), Smiler (Murray Keane), and Col. Connolly. Some Turks can also be seen fighting with SMLEs. During the battle, some are fitted with P07 sword bayonets.

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark III - .303 British

Lee-Enfield No. 1 Mark III* - .303 British

Frank with his SMLE during the landing on the beach.

A close-up of the trigger as he decided not to shoot two Turks.

A good view of the SMLE's front sight.

One ANZAC chambers his rifle which offers a view of the magazine cutoff.

ANZAC awaiting the signal to charge with their SMLEs on August 8, 1915.

Porky cleans his rifle. Note the missing magazine cutoff, which matches an Mk. III*.

Later, on top of Chunuk Bair, he watches the surroundings of Gallipoli.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk. I

Anachronistic Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mk I rifles are briefly seen carried by ANZAC soldiers before the battle.

Lee-Enfield No. 4 Mark I - .303 British

Note the smooth barrels and the front sights of the rifles.

Mauser Standard Modell

Instead of their own Mauser designs of that period, the Turkish troops are incorrectly armed with post-war commercial Mauser Standard Modell rifles with straight bolt handles.

Mauser Standard Modell - 7.92x57mm Mauser

An overview of a Mauser next to its dead user.

A closer view of this rifle.

A Turkish sniper aims his Mauser.

The bayonet seems to be a sort of an Ersatz or a Belgian Model 1908.

Another blurred view of two Mauser carried by Turkish soldiers.

A good view of the bottom part that offers a view of the mounted sling swivels.

Machine Guns

Vickers Mk. I

A Vickers Machine Gun is used by the New Zealanders.

Vickers Mark I - .303 British

Soldiers try to unjam the Vickers.

Right view including the muzzle.

Close-up of the opened top cover and ejecting port.

Full left side view.

Maxim MG 08

Turkish soldiers use Maxim MG08s with Vickers tripods.

Maxim MG 08 - 7.92x57mm

A Turkish MG team spotted incoming ANZAC forces.

The same Maxim captured and manned by a New Zealander.

Grenades

No. 15 "Ball" Grenade

Frank and other ANZAC soldiers use No. 15 Hand Grenades. It is also used by Turkish soldiers.

No. 15 Hand Grenade

A No. 15 thrown by a Turk on the ground.

Frank takes a grenade from the belt of a killed Turk.

"Get down!"
He uses it against a wave of Turkish soldiers.