As dawn breaks on April 25, 1915, ANZAC troops go into battle on the beaches of the Gallipoli peninsula. Landing in the dark chaos, Tolly, Bevan and their mates struggle to establish a tenuous foothold on the treacherous slopes and deep ravines. They endure the next eight months on the peninsula learning lessons of survival. By the time of the final evacuation they have also learned the skills of combat and what it means to be a young man in war.

After a month of heavy fighting, the Anzac and Turkish soldiers meet in No Man's Land during a cease fire to bury their dead. Tolly risks his life by charging a machine gun nest to protect his brother. The newly arrived light horsemen are shocked by the aftermath.

Tolly is promoted ahead of his older brother, but disaster strikes when their platoon launches a surprise midnight attack. Journalist Ashmead-Bartlett visits Lord Kitchener in London with dire reports on the Anzac campaign.

Tolly recovers from his injuries in Cairo, and reluctantly returns to the front line at Gallipoli. After one of his close mates is killed, Tolly volunteers for sniper duty alongside the legendary Chinese-Australian sniper Billy Singh.

In August 1915, General Hamilton devises a massive attack across the Gallipoli Peninsula to break the stalemate. Tolly and his mates defy the odds to win the battle of Lone Pine, while the Light Horseman are decimated at The Nek.

Australian journalist Keith Murdoch visits the British PM with a secret letter that will change the course of the war. Tolly is commended for his bravery at Lone Pine, while Dave refuses to get help for chronic illness.

After eight months of failures, General Hamilton is sacked and Lord Kitchener finally visits Gallipoli to assess the situation. In freezing winter conditions the ANZACS prepare for a mass evacuation, without alerting the Turks.