Gallipoli Illustrated Edition

Next year, we will commemorate the centennial of one of World War I's most controversial campaigns. In this epic work, Hart presents the story of the ill-fated allied expedition to open up another front in World War I by invading the Ottoman Empire to ameliorate the military pressure on Russia. Hart places blame for the conception and execution of this campaign squarely on the British Government, including Winston Churchill who was serving as First Lord of the Admiralty and commanding British General Ian Hamilton. Hart acknowledges that allied soldiers often fought with bravery and tenacity, but contends that the Gallipoli invasion was doomed from its inception. A particularly important point Hart acknowledges is the role played in the campaign by the French, French colonial forces such as the Senegalese, and Indian forces. He also acknowledges the role of the Australian and New Zealand (ANZAC) forces in this effort although he downplays the significance of their efforts. This particular point will not be popular in Australia or New Zealand where this campaign had a monumental effect in shaping the national identity of these countries.A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to visit the moving ANZAC Memorial in downtown Sydney which is an experience I will never forget. Recent years have seen a huge increase in the number of Australians attending ANZAC remembrance ceremonies in Australia and traveling to the Gallipoli battlefield sites in Turkey. Gallipoli remains a significant factor in memories of World War I held by Australians and New Zealanders.Hart makes effective use of diaries and letters from participants representing all sides including Turkish sources. He places particular emphasis on the skill of Turkish defenses and fighting strategy and the leadership of Mustafa Kemal who would latter become Kemal Ataturk.A criticism I have of this work is its dismissing of the Mideast theater of operations as being a sideshow from the Western Front. This was a global war and, since the Ottoman Empire controlled significant parts of the North Africa and eastern Mediterranean, it was a legitimate target of military operations for allied forces. In our emphasis on the Western Front's paramount importance during World War I, it is all to easy to become so fixated on battlefields such as the Somme and Verdun, that it is easy to dismiss the importance of battles in the Middle East and on the Eastern Front. These battles had profound, devastating, and enduring effects on the lives of the people living in these regions and this must be acknowledged by any analysis of World War I aspiring for scholarly depth.Hart is clearly a superb writer and scholar and also mentions how Churchill was able to recover from the Gallipoli debacle and become critical to Britain's survival and triumph in World War II. This work enables us to feel like we are at Gallipoli in the amidst of its destruction, carnage, and smell of death. As we commemorate the centennial of World War I during the next four years, this work helps us, even with its weaknesses, the tragedy, folly, ineptitude, courage, sacrifice, and honor of those allied soldiers attempting to achieve the well-intention, albeit strategically flawed desire, to win this conflict by defeating the Ottoman Empire at this locale.

Peter Hart has written what must rank as the best history of Gallipoli thus far. What I found most refreshing about this book was his willingness to express opinions clearly based on his interpretations of the facts and the actions of those involved. Many historians and particularly miltary historians fall prey to the tendancy to adopt the middle ground and provide "unbiased" analysis which often excuses even the most blantant ineptitude. Not so Mr. Hart. He positively impales the almost complete lack of realistic strategic analysis leading to the decision to first launch a naval attack on the Dardanelles and then to commit troops to the Gallipoli Peninsula and then turns his attention to the ineptitude of the operational and tactical planning prior to the landings. He then further examines the actions of the senior and mid-level officers who led the assault and these are in the main found wanting. Conversely he is unstinting in his praise for those unfortunate enough, the junior officers and other ranks, to find themselves fighting the battle, whether on the side of Britain and its allies or on the Turkish side. The highlighting of each nation's contribution to the battle is important. While the sacrifice of the British and ANZACs is well known, the actions and bravery of the French have been, perhaps, less acknowledged. As indeed is the toughness and effectiveness of Turkish troops.His use of quotes from those involved is excellent and it is by reading the words of those caught up in the fighting that one realizes how awful a battle this was, whether to be in the gun turret of a dreadnought hit by a Turkish shell or to find oneself in a trench waiting for the signal to "go over the top". Coupled with his own excellent writing style and the use of Turkish sources that have been lacking from earlier works on this battle this provides the reader with a fast moving, almost novel-like view of the campaign.One of the best military histories I have read recently. Highly recommended.

Peter Hart will always remain on my book self. The way he tells a story is unique – I love hearing the events through the eyes of the ordinary soldier as well as their officers. Unlike so many others who try this technique Peter gets it right every time – all in a consistent and chronologic manner which makes his books – although sometimes very big and heavy (600 pages) – a real joy to read. Hence I have most of his concerning the First World War.For those like myself who have all of his available books at present a few other similar authors are –For the ease reading the book without researching certain soldiers/battalions etc., don’t get me wrong - there are soldier and battalion details in them but it is the story of events which is concentrated on -Peter Liddle, Max Marix Evans, Gary Sheffield, and Malcolm Brown along with some of Andrew Rawson’s books.For researching soldiers positions as well as an easy read etc. –Ray Westlake; Andrew Rawson & Stuart HadawayThey are my favourite authors at present besides those actually written as people’s memories i.e. Richard Van Emden & Max Arthur - Then of course there is Neil R. Storey and his books on the Norfolk Regiment and Norfolk during the First World War which are invaluable for research purposes.

Gallipolli – Peter HartAll books on Gallipoli should come with a government health warning “Not to be read by those with high blood pressure!”I have read a few books on the topic and find them all difficult, I read a chapter and have to put the book down and fume for a while at the incompetence and pointlessness of it all. A campaign that should never have happened; was based on an illusionary vision of some magic victory; was undertaken with a woeful disregard for the obvious; and, worst of all, was run by leaders who seemed determined not to learn a single lesson from past failures. If you don’t know what I’m on about then you need to read this book!It’s a big book, written in typical Peter Hart style – lots of anecdotes from men who were there interspersed through a comprehensive history of the ill-fated campaign written in an approachable style. This is not another book about the brave ANZACs forging a new nation (or two), this is a history of a campaign from all points of view – the more numerous French, British and Turks all have their say alongside the wild colonials. If it has a fault it is that there could be more from the French and Turkish angles.Highly recommended.

An excellent book, very detailed. Others have complained about the maps and difficulty in referring back to them but most historical books have this problem. Indeed other than having detachable maps this is unavoidable. The index however is poor as many references from the book are missing. However this is a relatively minor if a bit annoying problem, simply compounded by the detail of the narrative. I especially liked the fact that there are also accounts of the Turkish side, which we rarely get here. Also the fact that it details all the armies participating rather than the usual Anzac fighting for which the Gallipoli campaign is popularly known. Very detailed, the closest historical book I have read to be this detailed was A Bridge too Far by Cornelius Ryan. All in all, excluding the index, an excellent book.

I can read fact or fiction but I have a large cache of factual ww1 books and I like to read themthe book was of good quality no writing inside and I enjoed it

I read this book shortly before going out to visit the battle sites in Gallipoli. I found the book to be excellent as it gave a very clear description of the whole campaign and the failings on the Allied side. It has many quotations from diaries and letters which are particularly valuable as they give a very personal view of the actions. This book is certainly well worth reading.