Posted: Jan 15 2008
Khan,
You are pulling at the limit of my memory now.
I seem to recall two items: first, the general staff of the Turkish Army was all German regular officers. In fact, IIRC, Gallipoli was about to be lost until I believe it was Von Seekt took command away from Enver and solidfied the defense.
Also, Turkey harbored a couple of German battleships or battlecruisers at Constantinople. The Brits wanted to get them, but Turkish forts and mines in the straight held them up.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, a decision was made to back Germany. I also think the thought of "easy" victories against the Russians propelled them into the war.
Of course by 1921, Turkey was fighting France, Britian and the Greeks by themselves!
Regards,
Feltan
You are pulling at the limit of my memory now.
I seem to recall two items: first, the general staff of the Turkish Army was all German regular officers. In fact, IIRC, Gallipoli was about to be lost until I believe it was Von Seekt took command away from Enver and solidfied the defense.
Also, Turkey harbored a couple of German battleships or battlecruisers at Constantinople. The Brits wanted to get them, but Turkish forts and mines in the straight held them up.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, a decision was made to back Germany. I also think the thought of "easy" victories against the Russians propelled them into the war.
Of course by 1921, Turkey was fighting France, Britian and the Greeks by themselves!
Regards,
Feltan