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Gallipoli
The Battle of Gallipoli took place at Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey from 25 April 1915 to 9 January 1916, during the First World War. A joint British Empire (including the newly formed Australian and New Zealand Army Corps ANZAC) and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Istanbul, and secure a sea route to Russia. The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides. This is a detailed look at the Battle of Gallipoli including - the planning, the tactics the landings, the Battle itself and the final withdrawal.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1916
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60 people want to read
About the author
John Masefield
715 books100 followersMasefield was born in Ledbury, a rural area in England to George Masefield, a solicitor and Caroline. His mother died giving birth to his sister when Masefield was only 6 and he went to live with his aunt. His father died soon after. After an unhappy education at the King's School in Warwick (now known as Warwick School), where he was a boarder between 1888 and 1891, he left to board the HMS Conway, both to train for a life at sea, and to break his addiction to reading, of which his Aunt thought little. He spent several years aboard this ship and found that he could spend much of his time reading and writing. It was aboard the Conway that Masefield’s love for story-telling grew.
In 1894, Masefield boarded the Gilcruix, destined for Chile. He recorded his experiences while sailing through the extreme weather. Upon reaching Chile, Masefield suffered from sunstroke and was hospitalized. He eventually returned home to England as a passenger aboard a steam ship.
In 1895, Masefield returned to sea on a windjammer destined for New York City. However, the urge to become a writer and the hopelessness of life as a sailor overtook him, and in New York, he deserted ship. He lived as a vagrant for several months, before returning to New York City, where he was able to find work as an assistant to a bar keeper.
For the next two years, Masefield was employed in a carpet factory, where long hours were expected and conditions were far from ideal. He purchased up to 20 books a week, and devoured both modern and classical literature. His interests at this time were diverse and his reading included works by Trilby, Dumas, Thomas Browne, Hazlitt, Dickens, Kipling, and R. L. Stevenson. Chaucer also became very important to him during this time, as well as poetry by Keats and Shelley.
When Masefield was 23, he met his future wife, Constance Crommelin, who was 35. Educated in classics and English Literature, and a mathematics teacher, Constance was a perfect match for Masefield despite the difference in age. The couple had two children (Judith, born in 1904, and Lewis, in 1910).
In 1930, due to the death of Robert Bridges, a new Poet Laureate was needed. King George V appointed Masefield, who remained in office until his death in 1967. Masefield took his appointment seriously and produced a large quantity of verse. Poems composed in his official capacity were sent to The Times. Masefield’s humility was shown by his inclusion of a stamped envelope with each submission so that his composition could be returned if it were found unacceptable for publication.
On 12 May 1967, John Masefield died, after having suffered through a spread of gangrene up his leg. According to his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes placed in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. Later, the following verse was discovered, written by Masefield, addressed to his ‘Heirs, Administrators, and Assigns’:
Let no religious rite be done or read
In any place for me when I am dead,
But burn my body into ash, and scatter
The ash in secret into running water,
Or on the windy down, and let none see;
And then thank God that there’s an end of me.
In 1894, Masefield boarded the Gilcruix, destined for Chile. He recorded his experiences while sailing through the extreme weather. Upon reaching Chile, Masefield suffered from sunstroke and was hospitalized. He eventually returned home to England as a passenger aboard a steam ship.
In 1895, Masefield returned to sea on a windjammer destined for New York City. However, the urge to become a writer and the hopelessness of life as a sailor overtook him, and in New York, he deserted ship. He lived as a vagrant for several months, before returning to New York City, where he was able to find work as an assistant to a bar keeper.
For the next two years, Masefield was employed in a carpet factory, where long hours were expected and conditions were far from ideal. He purchased up to 20 books a week, and devoured both modern and classical literature. His interests at this time were diverse and his reading included works by Trilby, Dumas, Thomas Browne, Hazlitt, Dickens, Kipling, and R. L. Stevenson. Chaucer also became very important to him during this time, as well as poetry by Keats and Shelley.
When Masefield was 23, he met his future wife, Constance Crommelin, who was 35. Educated in classics and English Literature, and a mathematics teacher, Constance was a perfect match for Masefield despite the difference in age. The couple had two children (Judith, born in 1904, and Lewis, in 1910).
In 1930, due to the death of Robert Bridges, a new Poet Laureate was needed. King George V appointed Masefield, who remained in office until his death in 1967. Masefield took his appointment seriously and produced a large quantity of verse. Poems composed in his official capacity were sent to The Times. Masefield’s humility was shown by his inclusion of a stamped envelope with each submission so that his composition could be returned if it were found unacceptable for publication.
On 12 May 1967, John Masefield died, after having suffered through a spread of gangrene up his leg. According to his wishes, he was cremated and his ashes placed in Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey. Later, the following verse was discovered, written by Masefield, addressed to his ‘Heirs, Administrators, and Assigns’:
Let no religious rite be done or read
In any place for me when I am dead,
But burn my body into ash, and scatter
The ash in secret into running water,
Or on the windy down, and let none see;
And then thank God that there’s an end of me.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 9, 2017
It is fitting that Masefield selected the great Epic Poem 'Song of Roland' to frame this history. This story of Gallipoli is told in prose yet in an oral tradition, as though in a hall by a fireplace, narrated as a defense of what was done there, recognizing that their was a valour that no outcome could ever change.
The poet's voice makes one wish to read this allowed for it is story telling at its best. I would have loved to hear it in my father's voice, or a great Welch voice for it is written to be read so. The narration is melancholy as one senses that there will be no final victory, but it is foreshadowed: it matters little that we know historically what happened.
Masefield was a published poet who had served in a hospital post with the French. After the evacuation of Gallipoli the British government asked him to write the story of the battles that were so bravely fought, the small victories and the losses to counteract German propaganda. Military documents were open to him and this is his narrative.
He provides a sense of place that allows the reader to see in their mind's eye the hard fought terrain, that along with lack of supplies made this campaign doomed with only a ghost of success. The truth in war is often that many are sacrificed to tie up the manpower of the enemy, when all would wish that every battle was waged with total belief in a glorious victory.
This neither condemns the planners, nor excuses them as it doesn't address the politics of battle plans, but the experiences of the men who are sent forth and the conditions they face; and for that it is beautifully told, because it is sheer fate and timing that decides each battle...."for the want of a nail a shoe was lost..."
I cannot recommend this enough, and if you have not read a lot about the Great War, I recommend you read this first before you read precise histories which are more about the politics, the grand battle plans, what commander had the greatest grasp of the field, as this will give you more a sense of what it is that the soldier knowing nothing of those things experienced.
The poet's voice makes one wish to read this allowed for it is story telling at its best. I would have loved to hear it in my father's voice, or a great Welch voice for it is written to be read so. The narration is melancholy as one senses that there will be no final victory, but it is foreshadowed: it matters little that we know historically what happened.
Masefield was a published poet who had served in a hospital post with the French. After the evacuation of Gallipoli the British government asked him to write the story of the battles that were so bravely fought, the small victories and the losses to counteract German propaganda. Military documents were open to him and this is his narrative.
He provides a sense of place that allows the reader to see in their mind's eye the hard fought terrain, that along with lack of supplies made this campaign doomed with only a ghost of success. The truth in war is often that many are sacrificed to tie up the manpower of the enemy, when all would wish that every battle was waged with total belief in a glorious victory.
This neither condemns the planners, nor excuses them as it doesn't address the politics of battle plans, but the experiences of the men who are sent forth and the conditions they face; and for that it is beautifully told, because it is sheer fate and timing that decides each battle...."for the want of a nail a shoe was lost..."
I cannot recommend this enough, and if you have not read a lot about the Great War, I recommend you read this first before you read precise histories which are more about the politics, the grand battle plans, what commander had the greatest grasp of the field, as this will give you more a sense of what it is that the soldier knowing nothing of those things experienced.
March 19, 2025
Masefield wrote this book, ostensibly, to counter German propaganda of the failure of the Gallipoli Campaign (19 February 1915 to 9 January 1916), for a U.S.A audience. Although it does document the horrors and tragedy of the battles and honours the bravery of the troops on both sides of the conflict, it reflects the time in which it was written (tally ho! and over the top we go, for King and country).
The brainchild of that odious toad Winston Churchill, the Gallipoli campaign wasn't only a failure it was a complete shambles, the Greeks has told the British that 150,000 troops would be required to capture Gallipoli, Kitchener reckoned that a force of 70,000 would do the job. Impossible terrain, little cover, lack of water, difficult logistics, and a well fortified and dug in enemy guaranteed it would a debacle.
Around a quarter of a million lives was lost.
Masefield claims the British forces killed more Turks than were lost, as if that justifies anything at all.
The book is dedicated to General Sir Ian Hamilton who was the commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (the Dardanelles/Gallipoli) campaign.
"The only thing war achieves is the ruining of people's lives."
The brainchild of that odious toad Winston Churchill, the Gallipoli campaign wasn't only a failure it was a complete shambles, the Greeks has told the British that 150,000 troops would be required to capture Gallipoli, Kitchener reckoned that a force of 70,000 would do the job. Impossible terrain, little cover, lack of water, difficult logistics, and a well fortified and dug in enemy guaranteed it would a debacle.
Around a quarter of a million lives was lost.
Masefield claims the British forces killed more Turks than were lost, as if that justifies anything at all.
The book is dedicated to General Sir Ian Hamilton who was the commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (the Dardanelles/Gallipoli) campaign.
"The only thing war achieves is the ruining of people's lives."
May 21, 2022
I sort-of knew the gist of what went down on Gallipolli regarding the ill-fated attempt of the Allies to gain control of the Dardenelles in WWI. And as a Pogues fan, I knew how awful it must have been to fight there from their excellent cover of Eric Bogle's, "And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda". What I did not know, and what I learned from this book, is that despite the impossible odds, the force of English, ANZAC, Indians, Ghurkas, and other assorted Sons of the Empire almost managed to pull it off.
Anyway, this is one of those things you read about and then basically vow to never complain about anything in your boring and comfortable life ever again.
Anyway, this is one of those things you read about and then basically vow to never complain about anything in your boring and comfortable life ever again.
May 17, 2025
The author really wants the audience to know that under the circumstances, the allied forces did the best job humanly possible. Very understandable.
This book does a great job of explaining the nuances that went into this horrific campaign.
This book does a great job of explaining the nuances that went into this horrific campaign.
September 26, 2013
Found this book to be a very interesting read. Having been written shortly after the battle, it gives a modern reader a different take on a battle which has today become synonymous with folly, tragedy, horror and futility.
Mansfield book is filled with the colorful language of glory and empire. No hard questions are asked and I found that at least for me the entire book was an effort of damage control or worse propaganda. You almost wonder if it was commissioned as such. This is of course why it is such a good read, you really get a look into the mind set of a part of society so completely out of touch with the realities of the war and in particular the horror that transpired on that rocky peninsula.
Mansfield book is filled with the colorful language of glory and empire. No hard questions are asked and I found that at least for me the entire book was an effort of damage control or worse propaganda. You almost wonder if it was commissioned as such. This is of course why it is such a good read, you really get a look into the mind set of a part of society so completely out of touch with the realities of the war and in particular the horror that transpired on that rocky peninsula.
June 22, 2014
This was written in 1916. The beginning of the book discusses the terrain of the Peninsula of Gallipoli and the different areas where soldiers went ashore. I had never read much about the other groups who fought such as a division of French soldiers.
The description of the blizzard from November 26 -28th is horrific. Men fighting men and men fighting the weather, it is amazing that anyone survived.
The description of the blizzard from November 26 -28th is horrific. Men fighting men and men fighting the weather, it is amazing that anyone survived.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews