GALLIPOLI FAILURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10711, 8 October 1928, Page 7

GALLIPOLI FAILURE.

SEEN THROUGH-GERMAN EYES. •: l f i V"Y.* \ WAR 'COUNCIL BEAMED # PRIMARILY. TROOPS ON PENINSULA LACKED TRAINING. V . United Preee Abbd. by. El. ®L ; CopVWbM lAnatraliun Press AuA.I - . LONDON, Oct. 5.^ Gallipoli, through German eyes,sis revealed in a book by General Kannengresser, who served throughout an important: .part of the operations. The book is translated by Major \C. Ball, who, throughout the campaign* served in the Twenty-ninth Division-. General Kannengresser has no hesitation in. ascribing the reasons for the Allied failure. Firstly, to the many-headed War Council in London. The leadership in war, he sayis, cannot be entrusted to a limited liability company. Conversations and the minutes of reports always preceded the decisive meetings which again postponed a vital decision, valuable time was lost, and at the front that moment lost perhaps .contained the possibility _of success. While paying a full tribute to' The courage and excellent services of the overseas .troops and the territorials, General Kannengiesser says that the English lacked the ability to exrtractri the utmost from their success. Themen composing the units lacked .systematic peace training and- consequently did not know' and grip, victory when it was so often near them. ; The author stresses that only, the professional soldier can be expected to have that instinctive feeling- which sometimes should he preferred to rule's of warfare. DELAY AFTER LANDING Al/ MOST RUINED SUCCESS. ; General Kannengiesser expresses the opinion that the long month between the opening of the cannonade from the fleet and the landing of-the first British troops almost rvunechthe chances of success. The enCmy prepared feverishly and thoroughly. _ ■ General Kannengiesser dramatically describes the hardships which antagonists jointly suffered under the blazing sun on the barren strip. Therj, 'in August, 1915, cam& the. second landing and 24 hours delay in pressing the surprised and unreinrorced Turks. GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY LOST. “During the whole of August ; : 9 the goddess of victory held the door of success wide open for General S'topford, bujt he would not enter. There was a moment when General Kannengiesser claims that he and hie staff officers ritood'on the vital ridge overlooking Snlva Bay saw t-he British infantry only oCQyds. away. Two men with revolvers were the solo opposition to the occupation or tha heights; yet the attack was delayed until the' enemy was rushed up bv forced marches and firmly entrenched. - .