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Overview
The first general history in English of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Ordered to Die is based on newly available Turkish archival and official sources. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Ottoman Army performed astonishingly well in the field and managed to keep fighting until the end of the war, long after many other armies had quit the field. It fought a multi-front war against sophisticated and capable enemies, including Great Britain, France, and Russia. Erickson challenges conventional thinking about Ottoman war aims, Ottoman military effectiveness, and the influence of German assistance.
Written at the strategic and operational levels, this study frames the Turkish military contributions in a unitary manner by establishing linkages between campaigns and theaters. It also contains the first detailed discussion of Ottoman operations in Galicia, Romania, and Macedonia. Erickson provides a wealth of information on Ottoman Army organization, deployments, strategy, and staff procedures. He examines with particular attention the army's role in the Armenian deportations and the intelligence available to the Turks in 1914 and 1915. Appendixes include biographies of important commanders, the efforts of the Ottoman Air Force, Ottoman casualties, as well as a wartime chronology.
Synopsis
Explanation of how the Turks sustained their combat effectiveness and fighting capability until November 1918, long after many other armies had quit the field.
Booknews
The chilling title comes from a speech given to the Turkish soldiers at Gallipoli, but it characterizes the courage of the Ottoman army in the face of their great losses in WWI. This first complete history in English carefully chronicles the Ottoman history with attention to Turkish war aims, strategic direction, significant command decisions and their efficacy. There are several useful appendices, including commanders' biographies, the Ottoman army organization, and Turkish casualties. Lieutenant Colonel Erickson served in Turkey as part of NATO. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)