That seemed like a dumb move that would only attract Turkish rifle and cannon fire at those boats. The boats could easily see the shore anyways.
What are they doing? Why do they come here?
Some kind of instinct, memory, what they used to do.
Could it be they were searching for mines? Not sure if those would be at all visible from the surface, but perhaps smaller ones designed to take out the boats actually going to the shore. I assumed they were to help the boats be sure where they were landing. You do see the sailor give an order to douse the light as soon as the shelling starts coming in.
shareThe Turks were on the high ground so one would think that any light shining on a boat would draw their sniper fire. By that time, since the ANZAC had been there a while, there would have been no enemy mines.
shareI figured one of two things, maybe both:
1) The searchlights could illuminate the Turkish positions so that the Aussies on the beach could take them out.
2) The searchlights would temporarily blind the Turkish gunners and spoil their aim
I just think the director took some artistic liberties to make it look cool
shareExactly. Like when they were encamped and in training right in front of the Sphinx in Egypt.
sharevery true
shareI'm pretty sure they rarely used searchlights. Unfortunately, boats making night landings often got lost and landed at the wrong locations. That was one of the reasons the attack at Sulva Bay (mentioned in the movie) got off to a slow start.
shareThe Turks held the high ground so any boat shining a light at night was setting it self up to be shot at. Since the beach was already occupied, it would make more sense to use a hooded light on the beach to signal the ships and guide the boats
What are they doing? Why do they come here?
Some kind of instinct, memory, what they used to do.