Gallipoli
Page 56
And yet, and yet, and yet – the enigma of the 1915 campaign, the story of that Allied failure and the comprehensive nature of the Turkish success still inexorably draws people in. The ‘terrible ifs’, as Churchill put it, may be a fantasy cloaking his personal responsibility for that failure, but the sheer drama of the ferocious fighting is undeniable. The beautiful setting overlaid with the all-pervading stench of rotting corpses; the chivalry demonstrated by individuals on both sides amidst merciless wholesale slaughter; the futility of the cause for which seemingly ordinary men fought with near-superhuman courage and endurance: with these contrasts so evident it is inevitable that the study of Gallipoli will continue for years to come as each generation seeks to resolve the conundrum of how something so stupid, so doomed from the outset, can remain so utterly fascinating.
NOTES
1. Dodging the Issue
1.
H. Kitchener, quoted in M. Gilbert, Winston S. Churchill, Vol. III, Part 1, August 1914–April 1915 (London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1972), p.361.
2.
I have generally preferred to use the terms Turkey and Turks to the more technically correct Ottoman Empire and Ottomans.
3.
G. Kopp, translated by A. Chambers, Two Lone Ships: Goeben and Breslau (London: Hutchinson & Co. Ltd, 1931), p. 108.
4.
C. Lister, quoted by Lord Ribblesdale, Charles Lister: Letters and Recollections (London: T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1917), pp. 170–71.
5.
C. Lister, quoted by Lord Ribblesdale, Charles Lister: Letters and Recollections (London: T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1917), pp. 174–5.
6.
C. Lister, quoted by Lord Ribblesdale, Charles Lister: Letters and Recollections (London: T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1917), p. 172.
7.
G. Kopp, translated by A. Chambers, Two Lone Ships: Goeben and Breslau (London: Hutchinson & Co. Ltd, 1931), pp. 30 and 48.
8.
E. Troubridge quoted by Den van der Vat, The Ship that Changed the World (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1985), p. 85.
9.
HMS Defence and the rest of 1st Cruiser Squadron were to have the dubious pleasure of encountering German battlecruisers while under a different, far less cautious commander, Rear Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. The Defence was duly despatched in a matter of minutes, lost with all hands, totally outclassed. HMS Warrior and HMS Black Prince were also sunk during that battle.
10.
C. Lister, quoted by Lord Ribblesdale, Charles Lister: Letters and Recollections (London: T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1917), pp. 172–3.
11.
Admiralty telegram, 3/1/1915. See Lord Kitchener and Winston Churchill: The Dardanelles Commission, Part I, 1914–1915 (London: The Stationery Office, 2000), p. 60.
12.
S. Carden, telegram, 3/1/1915. See Lord Kitchener and Winston Churchill: The Dardanelles Commission, Part I, 1914–1915 (London: The Stationery Office, 2000), p. 60.
13.
Minutes of War Council, 13/1/1915, in Lord Kitchener and Winston Churchill: The Dardanelles Commission, Part I, 1914–1915 (London: The Stationery Office, 2000), p. 78.
14.
W. L. S. Churchill, The World Crisis, 1911–1918 (New York: Free Press, 2005), p. 602.
15.
V. Augagneur, quoted by G. H. Cassar, The French and the Dardanelles (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1971), p. 60.
2. Navy in Action
1.
IWM Docs: H. W. Williams, typescript account, ‘Fat’s War’, p. 61.
2.
H. Jackson, quoted by J. S. Corbett, Naval Operations, Vol. II (London: Longmans, Green & Co., 1921), p. 124.
3.
IWM Docs: H. W. Williams, typescript account, ‘Fat’s War’, p. 52.
4.
B. H. Smith, ‘Dardanelles Dilemma’, The Naval Review, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 85.
5.
C. R. W. Lamplough, quoted by S. M. Holloway, From Trench and Turret: Royal Marine Letters and Diaries, 1914–1918 (Portsmouth: Royal Marines Museum, n.d.), pp. 35–6.
6.
C. H. Benfell, Barnsley Chronicle, 10/6/1916.
7.
B. Sinfield, http://www.jackclegg.com.
8.
H. A. Williamson, quoted by A. J. Marder, From the Dardanelles to Oran: Studies of the Royal Navy in War and Peace, 1915–1940 (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1974), p. 7.
9.
IWM Docs: H. W. Williams, typescript account, ‘Fat’s War’, p. 62.
10.
J. Waterlow, quoted by E. W. Bush, Gallipoli (London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd, 1975), pp. 45–6.
11.
B. H. Smith, ‘Dardanelles Dilemma’, The Naval Review, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 86–7.
12.
IWM Docs: A. J. G. Langley, typescript account, p. 20.
13.
IWM Docs: A. J. G. Langley, typescript account, pp. 20–23.
14.
IWM Docs: D. H. Hepburn, manuscript diary account, 18/3/1915.
15.
IWM Docs: L. H. Straw, manuscript letters, 25/6/1915 and 27/10/1915.
16.
P. E. Guépratte, L’Expédition des Dardanelles (Paris: Payot, 1935), pp. 64–6.
17.
P. E. Guépratte, L’Expédition des Dardanelles (Paris: Payot, 1935), p. 66.
18.
IWM Docs: D. Cemm, manuscript account, p. 2.
19.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: Ashir Arkayan, TI 01, manuscript transcript of interview, p. 3.
20.
IWM Docs: D. H. Hepburn, manuscript diary account, 18/3/1915.
21.
S. Payro, quoted by P. Liddle, Men of Gallipoli (London: Allen Lane, 1976), pp. 54–5.
22.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: S. Payro, edited transcript of interview.
23.
IWM Docs: G. I. S. More, typescript, p. 48.
24.
IWM Docs: D. Cemm, manuscript account, p. 4.
25.
IWM Docs: G. Morgan, microfilm memoir, p. 35.
26.
IWM Docs: A. J. G. Langley, typescript account, pp. 24–5.
27.
IWM Docs: O. Ommanney, ‘Midshipman’s Journal’, 18/3/1915.
28.
IWM Docs: G. Morgan, microfilm memoir, pp. 37–8.
29.
F. Brookes, quoted by S. M. Holloway, From Trench and Turret: Royal Marines Letters and Diaries, 1914–1918 (Portsmouth: Royal Marines Museum), pp. 10–11.
30.
IWM Docs: G. K. Ryland, typescript diary, p. 9.
3. Gathering of the Forces
1.
I. Hamilton, Gallipoli Diary, Vol. I (London: Edward Arnold, 1920), p. 361.
2.
D. Haig, diary 3/4/1915, quoted by J. Bourne & G. Sheffield, Douglas Haig: War Diaries and Letters, 1914–1918 (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2005), pp. 113–14.
3.
C. E. W. Bean, Official History of the War of 1914–1918: The Story of Anzac, Vol. 1 (Sydney: Angus & Robertson, 1921), p. 84.
4.
G. L. Scott, ‘The First Australian Imperial Expeditionary Force’, The Gallipolian, no. 11, p. 23.
5.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: H. Fildes, letter, 5/5/1915.
6.
C. Watkins, ‘If I Touch It with My Stick’, The Gallipolian, no. 34, pp. 25–6.
7.
A. Pomiro, Les Carnets de Guerre (Toulouse: Editions Privats, 2006), p. 49.
8.
A. R. Cooper (enlisted as C. J. de Bruin), http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/With_the_Foreign_Legion_in_Gallipoli/With_the_Foreign_Legion_in_Gallipoli_01.htm.
9.
R. Brooke, quoted by M. R. Brooke, The Collected Poems of Rupert Brooke: With a Memoir (London: Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd, 192
9), pp. 138–9.
10.
C. Lister, quoted by Lord Ribblesdale, Charles Lister: Letters and Recollections (London: T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1917), p. 129.
11.
P. Shaw-Stewart, quoted by Lord Ribblesdale, Charles Lister: Letters and Recollections (London: T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1917), pp. 156–7.
12.
D. Browne, quoted by Lord Ribblesdale, Charles Lister: Letters and Recollections (London: T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1917), p. 157.
13.
R. Brooke, quoted by M. R. Brooke, The Collected Poems of Rupert Brooke: With a Memoir (London: Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd, 1929), pp. 138–9.
14.
IWM Docs: C. Lister, typescript account, pp. 52–3.
15.
C. Lister, quoted by Lord Ribblesdale, Charles Lister: Letters and Recollections (London: T. Fisher Unwin Ltd, 1917), p. 162.
16.
D. Browne, quoted by M. R. Brooke, The Collected Poems of Rupert Brooke: With a Memoir (London: Sidgwick & Jackson Ltd, 1929), p. 159.
4. Plans: Countdown to Disaster
1.
I. Hamilton, Gallipoli Diary, Vol. I (London: Edward Arnold, 1920), pp. 42–3.
2.
O. L. von Sanders, Five Years in Turkey (Nashville, Tennessee: The Battery Press, 2000), pp. 59 & 61.
3.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: Ashir Arkayan, TI 01, typescript transcript of interview, p. 3.
4.
H. Kannengiesser, translated by C. J. P. Ball, The Campaign in Gallipoli (London: Hutchinson & Co., 1927), pp. 91–2 & 95–6.
5.
O. L. von Sanders, Five Years in Turkey (Nashville, Tennessee: The Battery Press, 2000), p. 62.
6.
The similarities between the Turkish plans for the Balkan Wars and 1915 have been noted by E. J. Ericson, Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War (Westport: Greenwood Press, 2001), p. 82.
7.
I. Hamilton, Gallipoli Diary, Vol. I (London: Edward Arnold, 1920), p. 95.
8.
I. Hamilton, Gallipoli Diary, Vol. I (London: Edward Arnold, 1920), pp. 13–14.
9.
B. H. Smith, ‘Dardanelles Dilemma’, The Naval Review, vol. 24, no. 1, p. 87.
10.
This section is loosely based on the trail-blazing and much appreciated work of Peter Chasseaud and Peter Doyle in their book Grasping Gallipoli: Terrain, Maps and Failure at the Dardanelles, 1915 (Staplehurst: Spellmount, 2005).
11.
I. Hamilton, Gallipoli Diary, Vol. I (London: Edward Arnold, 1920), p. 96.
12.
A. Hunter-Weston, quoted by I. Hamilton, Gallipoli Diary, Vol. I (London: Edward Arnold, 1920), p. 91.
13.
A. Hunter-Weston, quoted by I. Hamilton, Gallipoli Diary, Vol. I (London: Edward Arnold, 1920), pp. 92–3.
14.
IWM Docs: S. W. Hare, typescript diary, 18/4/1915.
15.
IWM Docs: G. K. Ryland, typescript diary, pp. 11 & 15.
16.
IWM Docs: E. Unwin, typescript account, ‘The Landing from the River Clyde’, p. 1.
17.
IWM Docs: G. L. Drewry, manuscript letter, 12/5/1915.
18.
IWM Docs, E. Unwin Collection: J. C. Wedgwood, typescript letter, 24/4/1915–26/4/1915.
19.
IWM Docs: E. Unwin, typescript account, ‘The Landing from the River Clyde’, p. 3.
20.
IWM Docs: C. H. M. Doughty Wylie, manuscript copy of letter, 22/5/1915.
21.
IWM Docs: G. L. Drewry, manuscript letter, 12/5/1915.
22.
IWM Docs: R. B. Gillett, typescript account, pp. 33–4.
23.
National Archives: G. Geddes, report, Royal Munsters Fusiliers War Diary, WO95/4310.
5. 25 April: Landings at Anzac
1.
IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
2.
Later known as Sefik Aker.
3.
IWM Docs: C. Jess, transcript diary, 24/4/1915.
4.
E. G. Sinclair-MacLagan, ‘Armada Moves: Egypt to Gallipoli’, Reveille, 31/3/1932, p. 59.
5.
IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
6.
C. G. Dix, ‘Armada Moves: Efficient Navy’, Reveille, 31/3/1932, p. 63.
7.
A. M. Ross, ‘Anzac’s Death: Last Message’, Reveille, 1/4/1933, p. 28.
8.
IWM Docs: J. S. Metcalf, typescript account.
9.
C. G. Dix, ‘Armada Moves: Efficient Navy’, Reveille, 31/3/1932, p. 63.
10.
IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: Captain Faik, quoted by S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
11.
A. Sahin, edited from quotes in K. Fewster, V. Basarin & H. H. Basarin, Gallipoli: The Turkish Story (New South Wales: Allen & Unwin, 2003), p. 63.
12.
IWM Docs: D. Hearder, typescript account, ‘Landing of the 3rd Brigade’, p. 10.
13.
I am indebted to Kenan Chelik, Bill Sellers and Chris Roberts for finally convincing me of the absence of Turkish machine guns at Anzac. The best summation is provided in C. Roberts, ‘Turkish Machine Guns at the Landing. Is it Another Myth?’, Wartime, 2009.
14.
IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: Captain Faik, quoted by S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
15.
IWM Docs: D. Hearder, typescript account, ‘Landing of the 3rd Brigade’, p. 11.
16.
IWM Docs: D. Hearder, typescript account, ‘Landing of the 3rd Brigade’, p. 12.
17.
IWM Docs: Captain Faik, quoted by S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
18.
IWM Docs: T. S. Louch, typescript account, p. 15.
19.
IWM Docs: D. Hearder, typescript account, ‘Landing of the 3rd Brigade’, pp. 12–13.
20.
I. Hayrettin, quoted by H. Oral, Gallipoli 1915: Through Turkish Eyes (Istanbul: Turkiye Is Bankasi, 2007), pp. 49 & 54.
21.
IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
22.
IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
23.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: H. Fildes, letter, 9/1915.
24.
J. A. Milne, quoted by N. K. Harvey, From Anzac to the Hindenburg Line: The History of the 9th Battalion, AIF (London: Naval & Military Press, 2008 reprint), p. 52.
25.
IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
26.
IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: M. Bey, quoted by S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
27.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: H. V. Hitch, transcript of tapes 235 & 252.
28.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: H. V. Hitch, transcript of tapes 235 & 252.
29.
M. Bey, quoted by H. Oral, Gallipoli 1915: Through Turkish Eyes (Istanbul: Turkiye Is Bankasi, 2007), pp. 306–7 and IWM Docs, Rayfield Papers Collection: S. Aker, ‘The Dardanelles: The Ari Burnu Battles and 27 Regiment’.
30.
Z. Bey, quoted in C. E. W. Bean, Gallipoli Mission (Canberra: Australian War Memorial, 1948), pp. 131–2.
31.
IWM Printed Books: Atatürk Memoirs, KO3/16
86, pp. 5–6.
32.
IWM Printed Books: Atatürk Memoirs, KO3/1686, pp. 6–7.
33.
IWM Printed Books: Atatürk Memoirs, KO3/1686, pp. 8–9.
34.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: H. V. Hitch, transcript of tapes 235 & 252.
35.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: H. V. Hitch, transcript of tapes 235 & 252.
36.
Brotherton Special Collections Library, Leeds University, Liddle Collection: R. H. Harris, transcript of tape 242.
37.
S. Westmacott, quoted by D. Cameron, 25 April, 1915: The Day the Anzac Legend was Born (Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin, 2007), p. 199.