Gallipoli plan criticised

The huge crowd that gathered in Trafalgar Square, London, on the receipt of the news on June 28 that peace had been signed. - Otago Witness, 29.8.1919.
The huge crowd that gathered in Trafalgar Square, London, on the receipt of the news on June 28 that peace had been signed. - Otago Witness, 29.8.1919.
The Gallipoli Commission generally finds that the campaign produced no results worth the losses, and doubts whether the authorities were sufficiently impressed with the magnitude and seriousness of the enterprise, which was hampered by lack of munitions, artillery, and reinforcements.

Lord Kitchener was apparently averse to evacuation to the last, in which General Birdwood supported him, fearing the effect it would have on India and Egypt. Lord Kitchener, to the last, hoped that the navy would attempt the straits, and some naval men believed in the possibility of this.

The Admiralty finally discountenanced it. Lord Kitchener relied on the navy, and always regarded the military operation as of minor importance, notwithstanding experts' warnings of the strength of the Turkish defences. The Commission is convinced that the War Office had not prepared proper plans.

Only after arrival on Gallipoli was Sir Ian Hamilton impressed by the seriousness of the task while the naval men felt that they could not force the Straits without strong military help. After the political crisis some of the new members of the Cabinet had to be convinced that the enterprise was justifiable.

Suvla was a failure, and was due to unseasoned troops insufficiently officered, which necessitated consideration of evacuation, and the despatch of General Monro. It is believed that the latter reported that only the Australians and the New Zealanders were fit to maintain a sustained front.

Catlins schools inspected

At the monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board Mr G. A. Turner (organiser) reported that he had visited 21 schools in the Catlins district during the five weeks ended August 15.

The attendance has been more or less seriously affected by an epidemic of colds, which in certain school districts was still very prevalent.

In the schools visited a distinct improvement was shown, and teachers generally were anxious to learn, and were desirous of improving their professional work and status. In two schools - Ratanui and Papatowai - a serious attempt was being made to establish school libraries, and he hoped by the end of the year that all local schools would be so equipped.

With regard to equipment he would point out that few schools had adequate equipment for the teaching of all subjects. Suitable pictures and apparatus for the teaching of geography were, in many cases, entirely lacking. In no school visited had he been able to discover a barometer, thermometer, or rain gauge, necessary instruments for almost any school of practical geography.

Sir Joseph Ward resigns

Wellington: Sir Joseph Ward (leader of the Liberal Party) yesterday tendered to his Excellency the Governor-general his resignation as a member of the Executive Council and as Minister of Finance, Postmaster-general, and Minister of Telegraphs in the National Government.

Sir Joseph afterwards made an important statement in reference to the political position, and outlined his policy for the future. He had come to the conclusion, he said, that now the Peace Treaty was signed and the object for which the National Government was formed had been achieved the truce between the two principal parties in New Zealand was no longer necessary, and he could not now remain in a Government that had been formed for war purposes only.

- ODT, 22.8.1919.

COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ

Comments

When the effeminate Hamilton was asked by his generals what they should do, he replied, "Dig dig dig". Hence the solidier's became "diggers". Lord Kitchener was drowned at sea before he could face the music for his half hearted support of the Gallipoli campaign. Churchill took the fall for Gallipoli. He resigned from the government and went and served in the trenches near Ypres.

During the war, the British government carried out a royal investigation of sorts on the Gallipoli campaign. What surprises me, apart from the allocation of blame, is that the government of the day, did it so quickly, and thoroughly, whilst running a massive war effort. These days the working group would barely be assembled in the same time, and produce nothing solid, just political whimsy to be blown away in the wind.

Perhaps you mean 'effete'.
If Hamilton had been possessed of female qualities, they might have won.

I am not aware that there was a Commission called “Gallipoli” but wondering if this NZ newspaper report is confused with The Dardanelles Commission.
NZers aren’t aware, but that particular WW1 battle was an invasion of Turkey by mainly the Brits & French.
NZers did not serve in the Dardanelles but in a diversion north off the Aegean Sea, tagging on to the 2nd Aussie division. NZers did not land at dawn – one of the great NZ myths.
Winston Churchill was blamed but sought to absolve himself but as Field Marshal Kitchener just died it was felt a Commission of Enquiry be established. NZ was represented by former PM Thomas Mackenzie. It concluded that difficulties had been underestimated, problems were exacerbated by supply shortages and by personality clashes and procrastination at high levels. Most of the NZ deaths were not by combat.
Gallipoli is one of the great myths of NZ history becoming "a school and media perpetuated embellished legend".
Our commemorations in NZ on April 25th surprisingly is not because of Gallipoli bu because of late arriving cloth Poppies. That story can be found in ‘Why Do We Wear A Red Poppy?’ by Gavin Marriott. I recommend the ODT get a copy.

Great comment Dugup. Lest we forget. Our school systems are corrupted and now kids (and adults) come out less informed than when they went in. Our smart phones make us dumb. I can vouch for the sickness problem. My gran had two uncles die at Gallipoli, but on the boat sailing to the campaign, not on the beaches.

In Flanders Fields
John McCrae - 1872-1918

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

This poem is in the public domain.