Gallipoli (1916), by John Masefield

The British-led effort in 1915 to take the Gallipoli peninsula in Turkey and take control of the Dardanelles waterway is one of the most debated and discussed campaigns of World War I.

An early contributor to this discussion was the famous British writer John Masefield, who took a break from his usual work as poet, playwright, and novelist to write the 1916 book Gallipoli.

The book was a response to questions that arose about the campaign when Masefield toured the United States in early 1916.  Masefield had participated in the battle as part of the medical corps. His first-hand experience helped bring a vividness to his effective portrayal of the horror, heartbreak, and heroism of the war.

Gallipoli combines both a journalist's eye for relevant detail and a creative writer's feeling for the human condition. Early in the book, Masefield outlined the reasons for the campaign:

1. To break the link by which Turkey keeps her hold as a European Power.  2. To divert a large part of the Turkish army from operations against our Russian allies in the Caucasus and elsewhere.  3. To pass into Russia, at a time when her northern ports were closed by ice, the rifles and munitions of war of which her armies were in need.  4. To bring out of Southern Russia the great stores of wheat lying there waiting shipment.  5. If possible, to prevent, by a successful deed of arms in the Near East, any new alliance against us among the Balkan peoples.

Geography plays a major role in the book, both through maps and through detailed written descriptions of the terrain that had to be conquered to achieve the goals of the offensive. The most famous piece of land was a group of beaches on the west side of the peninsula that soon took the name of the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought there—ANZAC cove.

Another significant natural challenge was the immense body of water that had to be continually crossed with supplies for the troops.

Masefield's historical record and emotional analyses  attempt to defend the efforts of the troops who ultimately failed to reach their military objective.  That might be why there is no mention of Winston Churchill, whose epic career suffered a serious setback when he was dismissed as First Lord of the Admiralty after the campaign.

The thoroughness of Masefield's account makes it obvious that the Turkish army had an insurmountable advantage in the relative shortness of its supply lines.  But the author still tries to extract some successes from the campaign, including the large number of Turkish troops who were used; the entry of Italy on the side of England in the war; and the delay of Bulgaria in joining England's enemy.