675. The First World War: Slaughter at Gallipoli (Part 5)
Summary
This episode explores the origins of the Gallipoli campaign, focusing on Winston Churchill’s ambitious but flawed plan to break WWI stalemates by seizing Constantinople. The hosts detail the disastrous naval failures that forced a shift to a land invasion, highlighting the operation's significance for Australian, New Zealand, and Turkish national identities. Key figures like Mustafa Kemal and the political dynamics within the British War Council are examined as the Allies prepare for the ill-fated amphibious assault.
Topics discussed
Sponsors and intro: Lloyd's, LRB, and Mint Mobile
The Gallipoli landing: Anzac courage and historical context
Winston Churchill's ambition and the stalemate on the Western Front
The Ottoman Empire: Decline, Young Turks, and alliance with Germany
Churchill's plan to force the Dardanelles and take Constantinople
Political maneuvering: Asquith, Fisher, and the War Council
The naval attack fails: Mines, losses, and Churchill's denial
Ad break: Disclosure and Wise
Preparing for the landings: Troops, training, and misconceptions
The Ottoman defense: Von Sanders and the fate of Julian Grenfell
April 25: The disastrous Anzac landing at Cape Helles
The River Clyde disaster and the stalemate at V Beach
Conclusion, outro, and sponsors: Chosen Foods and Wayfair
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