Topic: BatzG - Gallipoli
Gallipoli Campaign - 1915
Questions to the Turkish General Staff, Part 5
The Turkish General Staff Answers
During 1919, after the defeat of Turkey, a unique opportunity was opened up for CEW Bean to question the members of the Turkish General Staff about the Gallipoli Campaign. Bean presented a list of 111 questions. In June 1919, he received the answers. In the following transcription, the answers given by the Turkish General Staff will be qualified by the questions asked by Bean.
Questions 73 - 76.
73. What was the first idea of the Turks as to objects in these attacks?
74. When did they realise our real objectives in this attack?
75. What troops were engaged during our attack on ABDEL RAHMAN BAIR on August 6th?
76. What was considered the main danger to the Turkish positions during these attacks?
From the attack at Aghid Dere and the landing at Suvla it was deduced that the main objective of the British was Suvla. The Lone Pine attack accomplished its object well as most of our troops were sent there to reinforce.
On 8th August the Australian attack on Abdul Rahman Bahr was opposed by the:4th Division, 11th Regiment.
4th Division, 33rd Regiment.
4th Division, 31st Regiment, 1 Battalion.
4th Division, 32nd Regiment, 1 Battalion.
The main danger to the Turkish position was the loss of Abdul Rahman Bahr and consequently the loss of Kojak Chimen.
Questions 77 - 80.
77. What troops were facing the sea from HILL 971 to ANZAC on August 6th?
78. What troops made the final attack when the British were driven back on CHUNUK BAIR on 10th August? What was the plan of this attack?
79. What was the number of troops attacking and what casualties were there?
80. What was the strength of the Turkish force at ANZAC, SUVLA (ANAFARTA) and HELLES, respectively on August 10th?
On the 6th August the 14th Regiment was defending the line Kojak Chimen to Ari Burnu. The 2nd Battalion of the 72nd Regiment was holding South of Sazli Dere. Sazli Dere was tree dividing line between these units.
On the 10th August, when the British were driven off Chunuk Bahr, the 23rd and 24th Regiments of the 13th Division and the 56th Regiment of the 13th Division were the attacking troops. (Total strength 5,000 approximately.) The object of the attack was to push the British off Chunuk Bahr and consolidate it, as Chunuk Bahr was considered one of the most important points on the front.
The casualties were not heavy.
On the 10th August, the l9th Division consisting of the 56th, 27th, 18th, and 72nd Regiments (12 Battalions), and the 10th Division consisting of the 125th, 47tn, 48th, and 77th Regiments (12 Battalions) also the 13th, 15th, and 33rd Regiments (9 Battalions) making a total of 33 Battalions, were all at Ari Burnu.
At Anafarta, i.e. from Hill 160 S of Chunuk Bahr to Ege Port, the following troops held the line. The 8th Division consisting of tns 23rd, 24th, and 28th Regiments (8 Battalions); the 4th Division consisting or the 11th, 31st, and 32nd Regiments (9 Battalions); 9th Division consisting of 64th and 25th Regiments (6 Battalions); 7th Division consisting of 20th and 21st Regiments (6 Battalions); 2nd Division consisting of 31st, 35th, and 36th Regiments (12 Battalions), and 11th Division with 127th Regiment, and Broussa Gendarme Battalion (5 Battalions) - a grand total of 47 Battalions.
All these units had had heavy casualties in the previous fighting and were not up to strength.
The fighting strength at Suvla and Ari Burnu was 40,000.
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Citation: Gallipoli Campaign - 1915, Questions to the Turkish General Staff, Part 5
Posted by Project Leader
at 12:01 AM EADT
Updated: Thursday, 2 July 2009 11:20 AM EADT
