L4 - The Gallipoli Offensive (April 1915- January 1916)

Question 1

Why did the Gallipoli Campaign

Answer 1

1- Campaign was poorly planned
- view that knocking out OE would weaken Germany was false b/c misunderstanding of relationship between countries / OE collapse would have X effect on germany’s capability to wage war
- ‘Shell Crisis of 1915’ -> lack of ammunition caused a weaker artillery b/c of X resources
2- Allied Forces weren’t sufficiently trained
- high levels of skill needed to break through turk defence networks but allied troops lacked artillery training + infantry tactics to break through defences
3- Inferior Leadership
- Brit Commander, General Hamilton = one of brit’s greatest soldiers but his plans were too complex / he planned multiple attacks at the same time that needed others to work for each to work + this was risky bc if 1 failed -> others were left exposed
- Also relied on feats on heroism to be successful / he blamed every1 for his mistakes/ failed plans -> same mistakes were made
4- turks were experienced + well led
- Colonel Mustafa Kamal = summed up grit +determination of his country men / troops had recent experience from balkan wars + came from a country where life was hard -> tough + disciplined who wanted to defend homeland
- also had german commander supporting OE called General Otto Liman von Sanders
5- Logistical nightmare due to location of gallipoli compared to Britain