The October meeting of the Society started a little later than usual. The Chairman kept the members entertained initially and then Dr Stanley Monick kindly gave a brief but very interesting impromptu talk on the historical and political background to the Gallipoli campaign.

Professor Maxwell-Mahon's fascinating talk on Gallipoli proved to be worth waiting for. He drew a parallel between his own late arrival and the Australian attack on the Gallipoli peninsula which was conducted over unknown ground and with the wrong maps. At that point, however, the parallel ended, for while the Gallipoli campaign was a military disaster, Professor Naxwell-Mahon's talk was a resounding success.

Professor Maxwell-Mahon examined the situation in Turkey to begin with, particularly the bankrupt state of the economy. He stressed that although neither England nor Germany sought Turkey's alliance initially, the Turks needed an ally to help with their internal restructuring.

The relationship between the Germans and the Turks improved after Limon von Sanders had helped the Turks to reorganize their army and to reinforce their coastal defences.

Once the Western Front had reached a stalemate, the Germans decided to use the Turks to blockade the Russians' southern sea route.

The need for a British attack on the peninsula became evident and Churchill liked the idea of a back-door attack up through Turkey. The greatest concentration of naval ships ever seen in the Mediterranean was assembled and the initial British naval attack seemed to be successful. What the British did not realise was the extent of the Turkish defences or the existence of a second minefield through the Straits.

An attack over land was obviously essential. General Birdwood was placed in charge of the Anzacs with Sir Ian Hamilton as Commander-in-Chief.

The Gallipoli campaign embodied the hopes of many Englishmen, the most famous of whom was the poet Rupert Brooke, who died without glimpsing the peninsula.

So much publicity was given to the attack that the Germans and Turks had ample time to prepare their defences.

The Australian and New Zealand contingent consisted of 20,000 men, 12,000 horses and several pet kangeroos. The Anzacs were tough, well-paid volunteers, known for their lack of discipline and unconventional language, before their experiences established their reputations as fine soldiers.

The British made several landings starting on the 25th April 1915 which were largely unsuccessful. At Anzac Cove the Australians found themselves with an almost sheer cliff to climb instead of the flat ground they had been prepared for. They also had to contend with hand-to-hand fighting.

Birdwood wanted his men evacuated but was told that the Anzacs were to dig in and hold their positions, hence the name "Diggers". Although reinforcements were sent and a landing was made at Suvla Bay, the peninsula was eventually evacuated in October 1915. The combined casualty list was 213,000.

Professor Maxwell-Mahon concluded his talk by playing a song about Gallipoli which faded out to the strains of Waltzing Matilda. This provided a poignant ending to a witty and illuminating talk which had included some of the experiences of Proffesor Maxwell-Mahon's father, who fought at Gallipoli.

Dr Stanley Monick thanked the speaker for his fascinating talk.

Next meeting: MUSEUM EVENING to be held on 8th November.

December meeting: Maj Darrell Hall "St Nazaire Raid, 1942" preceded by a Metro-Goldwyn-Hall production.

Jennifer Copley

Note

Mr Pat Rice has, for complimentary disposal, an almost full set of Military History Journals.