Blizards at Gallipoli Nov 1915

[stevebecker]

Mates,

Much has been written about the losses during the bad weather at Suvla and Anzac, and along with Helles when heavy rain and later snow fall over the battle fields during the period 26 to 30 Nov 1915.

But what about the Turkish soldiers did they also suffer from this weather?

Some stats from the British records

"According to the Official History Medical Services; Casualties and Medical Statistics some 6,602 men suffered frostbite of which 6,368 eventually returned to duty (96.4%). 68 men died of frostbite which implies 166 men had such severe frostbite that it caused permanent damage. By way of reminder the RE recorded temperatures of -10 Celsius.

The Official History Medical Services Vol IV records 16,000 admissions from frostbite or exposure of this 12,000 were on the Suvla front. 280 were either drowned or died of exposure. I assume this includes the 68 who died of frostbite. The standing strength of the forces at Gallipoli in Nov 1915 was 125,763 suggesting that somewhere in the region of 12.5% of the troops were incapacitated by the Blizzard in just a few days.

The numbers taken out of the line in three days due to the Blizzard exceeded the numbers killed, died of wounds , wounded and prisoners of war in each month of the campaign except bloody August. Casualties from the Blizzard exceeded all other casualties by three times in Nov 1915. "

Do the Turks write about the period, as I checked Ed Erickson book's but he fails to mention this?

Cheers

S.B

[turcoscot]

A good source is Ismail Hakki Sunata's memoir, "Geliboludan Kafkaslara", published by Is Bankasi yayinlari; there is a discussion of the blizzard staring on p. 181.

[stevebecker]

Mate,

Can you give an out line of what he said?

In particular if he records any losses from this, even if only his Regt?

I did wonder which Ismail Hakki he was?

CofS 1st Expeditionary Force 1914/15 & CofS Caucasus Army Group 1918 - Ismail Hakki (Berkuk) or (Berkok)
Staff officer 7th Corps - LtCol Ismail Hakki Bey
staff officer 8th Army - Capt Ismail Hakki Bey (Okday)
31st Regt - LtCol Ismail Hakki Bey (Koray)
14th Regt - Maj Ismail Hakki (Oktürk)
9th Cav Regt - LtCol Ismail Hakki
or none of these?

Cheers

S.B

[turcoscot]

Ismail Hakki Sunata was none of those you mention; at the time mentioned he was a second lieutenant (actually, officer candidate - subway namzedi) commanding a platoon of of 2nd Company, 1st Battalion, 35th Regiment in the 12th Division. His account mentions conditions in the Turkish trenches after the blizzard and floods, but doesn't give numbers; he does mention that the 36th Regiment, which was then in the forward trenches, suffered many casualties from the flooding.

Another place to have a look might be the diary of Col. Izzettin Calislar, Ataturk's chief of staff - his memoir is "On Yillik Savas", again published by Is Bankasi Yayinlari.Col. Selahhatin Adil's memoirs might also have information.

Is Bankasi Yayinlari has actually published several memoirs of enlisted men and junior officers from this period, which are well worth a read.

[stevebecker]

Turco,

Thanks for that, interesting.

Your Turkish must be better then mine.

Cheers

S.B

[turcoscot]

Well, I am Turkish, after all...but I defer to your knowledge in this area. I have been reading and enjoying your posts for quite sometime, and I am strictly an interested amateur.