Çanakkale Araştırmaları Türk Yıllığı (Apr 2015)
Çanakkale Muharebeleri ve Mustafa Kemal
Abstract
Winds of war prevailing over Europe at the beginning of the 20th Century tormented the continent by transforming it into a so called “barrel-of-gunpowder” and mutual declarations of war thence ensued led to unprecedented series of wars which could not have been avoided by any part of Europe, just like the Ottoman Empire… Çanakkale Front was but only one of the innumerable fronts opened in the war. At a meeting held by the War Council, in London, in January 1915, a discussion on waging war against Central Powers was brought up, and consequently a plan of naval attack directed at Çanakkale Strait was accepted. In view of the British authorities by seizing Gelibolu Peninsula the road to İstanbul would be cleared, and thereby casting Turks out of the war a direct link would have been established. To this end, Entente Powers launched their first attack on the Çanakkale Strait in November 1914. The bombardment aimed at destroying the coastal fortifications was repeated over and over again and finally on 18 March 1915 a comprehensive attack was launched. Entente Forces not succeeding in crossing the Strait from the sea launched a land warfare by landing forces to various locations as of 25 April 1915 that was to last for eight-and-a-half-months. Failing to achieve their targets the Ententes, in August 1915, attempted an amphibious campaign on the Anafartalar sector through Suvla Bay for the last time. However, to their dismay, they had to evacuate Gelibolu disillusioned. This article thoroughly embraces Çanakkale Battles’ military aspects by referring to the anecdotes and striking stories of warring soldiers. Moreover, the brilliant role Mustafa Kemal – first as the 19th Division Commander, then as the Commander of the Anafartalar Group – played in winning battles is put forward.
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