GALLIPOLI

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10617, 16 June 1920, Page 6

GALLIPOLI

HAMILTON’S BLUNDERS ACCORDING TO MR ASHMEAD BARTLETT. A STRATEGIC FAILURE. - By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright liiiUeU Service Telegram. (Receive June 15, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 14. Mr Ashir.ead Bartlett, the well-known war correspondent, in the course of an interview, said that Sir lan Hamilton's diary threw no new light on the Gallipoli campaign, but it threw a flood ot illumination on the character of tho commander. The diary was an chon to throw the blame on Kitchener and other leaders and tho quality of the reinforcing forces. Mr Bartlett declared that the main responsibility for the failure of the Frencn troops was bir lan .Hamilton's, His own faulty dispositions in every fight showed his inaoility to appreciate the true strategical position. oir lan Hamilton’s operations consisced'of placing division after division on contracting beaches, inviting advances over unknown ground to storm positions the like of which were never raced in' modern" warfare. He'frited the' army. Th© series was badly conceived, abortive attacks from tho first landing, and there was never was the smallest chance of success. Lack of confidence in tho higher commands reduced the army to deplorable demoralisation in August, 11>15.' Only the old traditions regarding discipline held the remnants together. He denied Sir lan Hamilton’s' veiled accusation that he supplied Mr Keith Murdoch with information. Mr Murdoch collected the information first hand. Only on the day of his departure Mr Murdoch begged him to write something and allow tna truth -to become known to tho responsible authorities in England. Despite Sir lan Hamilton’s effort to conceal, after consideration he wrote to the Prime' Minister a letter which was taken'from Mr Murdoch at Marseilles. Mr Bartlett added: “Mr Murdoch" may have been technically guilty of showing an uncensored report, but was any patriotic man to allow a technicality to stand in tho way of saving thousands of countrymen from a miserable end and tho Empire from grave disaster?” _He himseli-was -accused ..of.,the same offence, and if hei were placed in the same position he would not hesitate to act in tho same manner again.