Ashmead-Bartlett’s Despatches From The Dardanelles

Book excerpt: Published during the Great War, this book by Ellis Ashmead-Bartlett (1881-1931), a British war correspondent during the First World War, covers the preparations for the assault on Gallipoli, the naval Battle of the Dardanelles, the landings at ANZAC and Cape Helles and the battles for Krithia, Achi Baba and the heights of ANZAC from March to July 1915. Through his reporting of the Battle of Gallipoli, Ashmead-Bartlett was instrumental in the birth of the Anzac legend, which still dominates military history in Australia and New Zealand. Outspoken in his criticism of the conduct of the campaign, he was instrumental in bringing about the dismissal of the British commander-in-chief, Sir Ian Hamilton—an event that led to the evacuation of British forces from the Gallipoli peninsula.