Loophole plate : Russell's Top, Gallipoli

Horizontal rectangular steel loophole plate. The plate is made from two layers of thick sheet steel. The outer layer is 6 mm thick and the inner layer is 9 mm thick. The pieces have been rivetted together by dome shaped rivets. In the centre of the plate is a hole cut through both layers. The hole measures 45 mm height x 127 mm width. The plate was secured into position by four nuts and bolts - one in each corner. only two of the nuts and bolts are still present. There are dozens of bullet holes and 'craters' created by rifle fire, some have the lead projectiles lodged in the holes.

This loophole plate, riddled with bullet holes, was found at Russell's Top, Gallipoli in 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 Russell's Top to help protect the soldiers from Turkish bullets. The plate is riddled with marks and holes from Turkish fire; some of the lead projectiles are still lodged in the plate.