One of the first books about the Gallipoli campaign, a bold but ultimately disastrous naval invasion in World War I.
The Gallipoli campaign of World War I was a bold strategic move to capture the Ottoman Turkish capital of Istanbul. Things began to go wrong from the very start, as allied troops landing on the beaches found them heavily defended, and fifteen Victoria Cross medals for bravery were earned in just the first two days. The fighting soon stalemated into a brutal battle of attrition in horrific conditions, and it was only after eight months of heavy losses that the allies finally admitted defeat and withdrew. The campaign had cost the lives of tens of thousands of allied troops for no gain, and almost ended the career of Winston Churchill, one of its most ardent backers. However, the bravery and sacrifice of the fledgling Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), which formed a large part of the allied forces, sparked the birth of a national consciousness in both countries.
This was one of the first books published after the campaign, and was written specifically to boost morale in the wake of the defeat, and to answer the many questions about how it went so badly wrong. It takes a detailed look at the entire campaign, including the birth of the strategy, the tactics used during the landings and subsequent battles, and the final withdrawal. This edition includes 15 photographs and maps.
Available for Kindle for $1.49: "
Gallipoli"