Ottoman Empire 1914

[greg]

A little diversion from the main focus of this forum, ie NZMR history. However, I am of the opinion that the more we understand the actions of the NZMR Brigade the more questions arise as to their foes and therefore a need to understand their position. Steve Butler has started a page here http://www.nzmr.org/turk.htm and I thought it may be interesting to follow this up by adding some of the information coming out of the blogs Bill Woerlee and Steve Baker are producing to a Google Earth project I have been working on. see the following:

Ottoman Empire.kmz

(10.51 KiB) Downloaded 71 times

I thought we might start from the beginning and develope the movements of the forces through to the end. I have done much on the ANZAC Cove area, ie most of the Allied/Turkish positions, placenames, frontlines, HQ's and much more. I have also done a little in the Sinai/Palastine area as well as the NZEF departure from NZ. However it may be difficult to follow it due to the vast amount of information that is there now and if I release it without some thought we may get tangled up! It is not perfect by any means and your input is most important. Anyhow take a look at the attached file and see if you can work it out. Remember this starts in November 1914. Will add dates as information is gathered. Just click on the attachment and select open. This should open Google Earth and take you to the Ottoman Empire. You will see the file and its sub folders on the left of the display under Temporary Places. You can drag this folder to your My Places. After you have done this right click on My Places or Ottoman Empire and select Save As. The rest should be easy to follow the hard part is to develope Turkish movements through to the end, bearing in mind it will cover Suez, Gallipoli, Sainai/Palastine, etc...

Look forward to your comments, ideas and input.

Regards

[Bill Woerlee]

Greg

G'day mate

You have taken upon yourself a really difficult task but one which is worthwhile. Understanding the Ottoman Empire and its methodology of conducting the war is instructive as it broadens the understanding of the conditions faced by the NZMRB. After all, regardless of what the more jingoistic books state, the men who fought in the Ottoman Army lived and breathed like the rest of us. They had their thoughts and their families. Records indicate that they were not grey cardboard cut-out characters eagerly facing death or hideous wounds on the approach of the NZMRB and so make this formation look good in the history books. These people were intelligent, tenacious and highly skilled. They also had names. Here is one man from the Turkish Records for example:

SERVICE NO 1022
SAVAÅž - War 1. DÃœNYA
CEPHE - Front ÇANAKKALE
KUVVET - Force K
ORDU - Army 0
KOLORDU - Army Corps 3
FIRKA - Division 19
ALAY - Regiment 57
TABUR - Battalion 3
BÖLÜK - Company 11
LAKAP KOZANOÄžLU
BABA ADI - Father's Name HALÄ°L
ADI - Name ALÄ°
SINIF - Type of unit NÄ°ZAMÄ°YE
RÃœTBE - Rank ER
Rank Private
D.YILI - Date of Birth - Rumi 1302
Date of Birth 1884
Age at death 31
İLÇE - Township BANDIRMA
BUCAK MERKEZ
KÖY YENİCE
GÃœN - Day 4
AY - Month 5
YIL - Year 1915
ÖLÜM YERİ - Place of Death ARIBURNU MUHAREBESİ
AS.ÅžB KEPSUT

We know that Ali was 31 and came from Bandirma and fought at Gallipoli. He was killed by someone from the NZ Infantry. When you know his story, you know the full NZ story, the one where NZ was part of a larger story but not the only story.

All the best wishes with your project. Do not hesitate to call me if you wish to obtain some assistance regarding the specifics of an area where I might be able to help.

Cheers

Bill

[greg]

Hi Bill,

Yes it is difficult task but I guess I have started and so must persue! If you would like to make any suggestions as to direction, etc, please feel free or even direct others that might be interested here!

Many thanks

best wishes

PS. What is ORDU - Army 0

[Bill Woerlee]

Greg

G'day mate

Sorry for taking so long to respond but apart from time restrictions, I have been out of the ACT for a little bit.

ORDU (Tk) = Army (Eng). Since his file does not designate the Army he belonged to, it was recorded as "0".

Hope that helps mate.

Cheers

Bill

[stevenbecker]

Greg,

Sorry mate I tried to check your document but the thing failed.

IS there some way to read it?

Cheers

S.B

[greg]

Hi SB,

The file is a Google Earth file. Sorry but you need to have Google Earth installed on your. PC. I should have mentioned that in the beginning!! Sorry Gett google earth here http://www.googleearth.com

Best wishes