I have finally reached the end of Dr. Christopher M. Bell's excellent history entitled Churchill and the Dardenelles and I cannot recommend it too highly. Even thinking about how much sheer, hard, slogging graft it must have taken to plough through the volumes of documentation involved is almost enough to send me to bed for a week! Not, mind you, that it was hard work reading it, on the contrary, Dr. Bell's pellucid prose remained crystal clear even as he strove to summarise even-handedly disparate events from disparate witnesses. The book is an example of history writing at its very best.
When, in an earlier post, I mentioned that I was starting to read this book, I offered my opinion (as an ex-Corporal!) that anyone who thought that in 1915 they could drive warships 60-odd miles up an exceedingly narrow waterway against opposition on both banks was utterly bonkers. Having read Dr. Bell's book my opinion is confirmed and the only surprise is that the mythical Field Marshall's baton which is said to reside in the knapsack of every soldier was not offered to me formally during my otherwise less than conspicuous service! I hasten to add that Dr. Bell is more circumspect in his conclusions.
Yesterday was ANZAC Day so it was an appropriate time for me to complete the reading of this book. As Dr. Bell makes clear, Churchill, as First Lord of the Admiralty, was not a prime-mover in the landing of troops in Gallipoli and the gross slaughter that ensued could not be laid at his door but, of course, it was his naval adventure that set the scene and after that it was a classic case of "events, dear boy, events!" taking over.
What is even more fascinating than the actual combat was the even more 'bloody combat' that ensued as all the leading actors strove after the event to justify their decisions and actions. The book offers a truly masterful summary of the differing versions by different 'actors' which were offered up, especially by Churchill, to justify their parts in the tragic disaster. Today we talk of 'alt-truth' and 'fake news' but do not under any circs think they are just a modern phenomenon. Churchill, in particular, was a master of it!
If the art, and craft, of war and politics fascinates you, as it does me, then read this book.
Duffers I will have to get it now. You have stirred the possum with this one.
Posted by: AussieD | Thursday, 27 April 2017 at 02:14
Go for it, AussieD, it's fascinating stuff.
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 27 April 2017 at 08:15
One I'll bear in mind for the future. At present just started on Churchill and Lloyd George (which followed on from reading Peacemakers as recommended by you and realising I knew very little about LG).
Posted by: mike fowle | Thursday, 27 April 2017 at 16:59
Mike, I remember enjoying that when I read it a few years back. What a pair of rascals! They were summed up best by Stanley Baldwin who said, "LG was born a cad and never forgot it; Winston was born a gentleman and never remembered it."
Next to it on my book shelf I also have "Lloyd George: From Peace to War 1912-1916". He was the 'artful dodger' of his time but his work as Minister for Munitions was brilliant. When you're ready let me know what you think of the book.
Posted by: David Duff | Thursday, 27 April 2017 at 19:59
What would you have done in their place? (even with hind sight)
Posted by: john malpas | Friday, 28 April 2017 at 03:14
John, I would not have attempted to fight navy ships through the Dardanelles!
In the broader sense, I would have gone on the defensive on the western front and put a stop to all those murderous and stupid attacks which slaughtered hundreds of thousands and which, on a good day(!) gained half a mile! Instead, I would have let the naval blockade slowly strangle the Germans.
Damn, that hind sight is a wonderful thing, such a pity fore sight is so rare - especially with me!
Posted by: David Duff | Friday, 28 April 2017 at 07:22
As soon as they brought out those Maxim guns and used them, good sense, neither foresight nor hind sight, would have made it pretty plain that a defensive-waiting strategy, plus, perhaps, sending aid to the Russians, was the order of the day. Courage is what keeps us from suicide the first time a girl turns us down. Beyond that, wisdom ought to prevail. What were they thinking!?!Old men were awfully "brave" with the lives of young ones. Even if something is worth my life, do I really think it is worth yours?
Posted by: Michael F Adams | Friday, 28 April 2017 at 20:15