Death on Bloody Ridge

Chunuk Bair - the battle that decided the fate of the Gallipoli Campaign

[A Shot of History series]

 

David W Cameron

Newport, NSW: Big Sky Publishing, 2024

Paperback      304pp      RRP: $36.99

 

Reviewer: Neville Taylor, October 2024

 

The five days from 6th to 10th August 1915 are presented more in the style of a novel than a strict military history. This extra ‘readability’ makes for maintaining interest whilst referencing events and accounts has been fully preserved. There are references to many topographical features, some of which do not appear on any of the included maps. These left a great deal to be desired with most of the labels so faint that a mobile phone torch had to be used to read or decipher them.

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The obvious carnage that ensued had its foundation in completely over-ambitious planning without genuine reconnaissance, and a sophisticated series of stages that were reliant on numerous other forces being successful in taking objectives and providing protection. Communications quickly became shambolic and the Allied troops were carrying only one water bottle in savage terrain at the height of summer. Hardly the recipe for success!

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Cameron has provided many first-hand accounts by combatants of both sides – many written with an impressive degree of penmanship. They tell of outstanding determination and bravery on both sides and made a break from the endless, and often unnecessary slaughter taking place. Presented is a detailed account of fighting at its bloodiest with nothing sparred – the source of so much mental suffering in later years. This was war at its worst and it should be a reminder to today’s generations that conflict solves nothing – there are only losers.

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[At eighteen years of age my paternal grandfather was one of the 200+ lost by 15th Battalion on 8th August as they attempted to capture Hill 971. His body was never recovered.]

 

 

The RUSI – Vic Library is most grateful to the publishers for making this work available for review.