Politicians as the Decision Makers Must Share the Blame

Throughout world war 1, 1914, there were several campaigns fought by the ANZAC’s. The most well-known was the Gallipoli campaign of 1914 fought by the British allies against the Turkish forces. The campaign caused several heavy casualties. Most individuals now days would say that these casualties were needless. That evidence is presented through reports, letters and hearings. It has been obvious that there was blamed to be shared between both the military commanders in Gallipoli and the politicians who sent hem there.

To begin with, letters that were written from the war generals in trenches and politicians in Britain prove that they both share the blame. First of all, May 15th, there was a letter written by Sir Ian Hamilton to Lord Kitchener talking about the things that were happening at Gallipoli. In his letter, he lied about the conditions saying that “The Turkish corps have become greatly mixed and disorganized.” This statement was actually false because this was not happening and that the Turkish soldiers had everything under control. But then again, another letter sent from Winston Churchill in the same month also shows that the politicians have to take some of the blame for the losses of life because he said in his letter that he “Dissociates myself from any project”. This means that politicians are self-centered and are now willing to help the soldiers get out of their situation.

Secondly, there were many reports written about the terrain and the mainland in turkey. Also, about the Dardanelles. In these reports written, they express on the finest ways to damage the Turkish forces, ways to pass through the Dardanelles and the land on the mainland was not ideal for battle. “I must place my record my conviction that an attack by the Fleet on the Dardanelles Forts… without assistance from the army is doomed to failure,” This displays that the officers have researched enough to find out that an attack in this area would not be satisfactory. Regardless of this, they, the ANZACs, first landed on the shores which is now known as ANZAC cove in April 25th, 1915. They first met at gun very heavy gun fire and also suffered lots of heavy several causalities, due to the Turkish having the upper hand in the battle. To enhance this, there were several reports written by Sir Ian Hamilton on how he predicted that this plan to attack Gallipoli would be a failure. “I must place my record my conviction that an attack by the Fleet on the Dardanelles Forts… without assistance from the army is doomed to failure.” After this report was been sent, he resigned very shortly after. The above evidence suggests that, despite having many warnings of the risks and inefficiency of an attack on Gallipoli, the politicians decided that they would fully ignore this information which triggered more attacks that were all unsuccessful which resulted in a lot of lives gone.

Finally, there have been a lot of hearings. This was the meeting of the British war council in 1915. While this was in session, there was a lot of pressure on them from the western front. There was bias when this meeting was going on because it was brought to the war council by the people who came up with this proposal and it would not include any flaws. The soldiers who carried out the attack were not considered. Politician (Mr. Balfour) said, 'It was hard to imagine a more effective activity,' Number 3: Military commanders They agreed and debated the weapons, boats and other equipment on each side. The Grand Duke Nicholas and the French Admiralty was behind the Dardanelles campaign. All other politicians at the meeting supported the idea, and all gave a reason to follow on it.

In conclusion the 1914 Gallipoli campaign resulted in heavy casualties for the ANZACs, most historians would say they were needless. Looking at the evidence provided by reports, letters between the politicians and the military commanders and the meeting between the British and the politicians, it is clear that there was plenty of blame to be exchanged by both the military commanders in Gallipoli and the politicians who sent them there.