Turkey Might Have Supported Allies

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 638, 15 April 1929, Page 9

Turkey Might Have Supported Allies

TREATIES OF 1914 GALLIPOLI REVELATIONS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) LONDON, Saturday. The interesting and hitherto unpublished fact that Turkey and Germany signed a secret treaty on August 2, 1914, is revealed in the ‘•Official History of the Gallipoli Campaign,” by Brigadier-General C. F. Aspinall-Oglander. Britain’s entry into the war completely upset Turkey’s views, and fearing the consequences Enver Pasha, on August 5, approached the Russian attache with definite proposals for a Russo-Turkish alliance against Germany. Russia did not inform Britain or France of this for a few days. Shortly after that the German warship Goeben reached Constantinople and the opportunity of gaining Turkey’s support disappeared. The history of succeeding weeks preceding the outbreak of the war with Turkey is traced clearly, and in an interesting fashion. The author reveals the unfortunate effect of the successful British bombardment in February, 1915, which warned Turkey of the inadequacy of her defences without achieving anything definite. Documents are freely quoted in which are arrayed the stages by which the decision for a purely naval attack was reached. Turkey’s unpreparedness is revealed by the description in the book of the first day’s bombardment. Fifty men landed without casualties and demolished the forts at Takke Burnu, at which the 29th Division lost 3,000 men in one day exactly two months later. Most of the subsequent history is already known.

FLOWER OF NEW ZEALAND MANHOOD.

The first mention of the Australians and New Zealanders is enthusiastic. The author writes: “The prowess of Australian and New Zealand troops in the Great War won lasting fame, but it was Gallipoli, above the beach which bears their name, that their laurels were first gained. It was there they set up a standard of bravery, tenacity, and resource which furnished an example for all who followed them. “From the" point of view of general physique these two divisions were the flower of Australian and New Zealand manhood. All who saw them in the early days of the campaign agree that they were probably as fine a body of men as ever stood to arms.”

The landing of the Third Brigade is fully described and the units and commanders are particularised. The glorious story is again recounted in stirring language. The manner in which the difficulties of the ground and the absence of artillery jeopardised and finally ruined the Anzacs’ fortunes is told. WITHIN ACE OF TRIUMPH

Summarising the situation on the night of April 25 the history says:— “It would appear indeed that, despite the almost impossible task to which the mistake in selecting a landing place had committed them, the Australians and New Zealanders were within an ace of triumph. Yet such is war.

“Seldom indeed has the mettle of Inexperienced troops been subjected to a more severe test. It will well be doubted if even a veteran division could have carried out the co-ordinated attack at Anzac on April 25. The predominant feeling which that astonishing battlefield must always arouse will be one of unstinted admiration for the untried battalions who did so exceedingly well.” Pull details are given of the various British landings, including the one at Y Beach, which, the book says, was “cleverly conceived, happily opened, hesitatingly conducted and miserably ended.” The volume is punctuated with

stirring tributes to the Anzacs. For example, after emphasising that their territory was only a strip one and a-half miles along the coast, and its depth only I,oooyds from the sea with an anchorage under hostile observation, the writer says: BALACLAVA ECLIPSED “Only those who have visited the actual ground and taken in the incredible position from the old Turkish front line can fully appreciate the spirit of the troops who held it. That the Australians and New Zealanders never relinquished their grasp which .made this apparently hopeless position impregnable; that, after awaiting reinforcements for three months tl/y attacked, reattacked and very nearly won, is a story that will live for ever.” Referring to the second battle at Krithia, the history says: “In half an hour the gallant charge of this brigade (Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Battalions under Brigadier-General J. W. McCay) on an unrecognised Balaclava charge, had ended with the loss of more than 1,000 men of the 2,000 men engaged, including the brigadier. Both the staff officers were wounded. The charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava resulted in a loss of 247 out of our 673 men.” The book closes with a synopsis of the position at the end of the first phase of the campaign, terminating with the second battle of Krithia. The historian adds: "If the SO,OOO rounds which were fired on Auber's Ridge against the Germans on the following day had been available at Krithia they might well have carried lan Hamilton on to the Narrows and the fleet to Constantinople.” The history is a valuable addition to the Gallipoli library.