In Victory’s Hour

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 478, 6 October 1928, Page 9

In Victory’s Hour

GALLIPOLI CHANCES LOST German Analysis Failure HOW close to victory the Allies’ arms were at Gallipoli, and what mistakes ruined their chances, are revealed by a German general who had an important post on the Peninsula. (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association)

Recd. 9 a.m. LONDON, Friday. What Gallipoli looked like through German eyes is revealed in a book by General Kannengiesser, who served throughout and took an important part in operations. It is translated by Major C. Ball, who throughout the campaign served with the 29th Division. General Kannengiesser has no hesitation in ascribing the reasons for the Allied failure firstly to the manyheaded War Council in London. Leadership in war, he says, cannot be entrusted to a limited liability company. Conversations, minutes and reports always preceded decisive meetings, which again postponed a vital decision. So valuable time was lost and at the front that moment was lost which contained the possibility of success. While fully recognising the courage and excellent service of the overseas troops and territorials, the author says the English lacked ability to extract the utmost from their success. The men composing the units lacked syste matic peace training, and consequently did not know how to grip the victory that was so often near them. The author says that only a professional soldier can be expected to have that instinctive feeling which sometimes should be preferred to the rules of warfare.

General Kannengiesser expresses the opinion that the long month between the opening cannonade from the fleet and the landing of the first British troops almost ruined the chances of success. The enemy prepared feverishly and thoroughly. He dramatically describes the hardships which the Allies’ antagonists jointly suffered under the blazing sun on that barren strip. Then in August, 1915, came the second landing and 24 hours’ delay in pressing the surprised the unreinforced Turks. “During the whole of August 9, the goddess of victory held the door of success wide open for Sir Frederick Stopford, but he would not enter.” There was a moment when General Kannengiesser claims that he and a staff officer stood on the vital ridge overlooking Suvla Bay and saw British infantry only 500yds away. Two men with revolvers were the sole opposition to the occupation of the heights, yet the attack was delayed until the enemy was rushed up by forced marches and inexpugnably entrenched. Sir Frederick Stopford was in command of an army corps in Gallipoli, and had charge of the operations at Suvla Bay in 1915.