The Ottoman Empire In Crisis 1908-1918: Decade of Tumult 2021

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A Public lecture by Lt-Col (Retd) David Wilson.

ANZAC forces first encountered soldiers of the Ottoman Army on the Gallipoli Peninsula on the morning of 25 April 1915. 'Johnny Turk' as he came to be known, proved to be a stubborn opponent and skilled fighter defending his homeland, but less widely known is why the Ottoman Empire as whole was fighting alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary. Together, these three empires made up the Central Powers of World War One.

Military historian and author David Wilson will speak on what was arguably the most turbulent decade of reform and consequence in the Ottoman Empire. We will look at the strategic position of the empire at the beginning of the 20th Century and see why it was known as 'The Sick Man of Europe' and what factors influenced the structure of the Ottoman armed forces during this critical period. We will also look at several strategic level leaders and also the humble, but stalwart 'mehmet' (foot soldier) who fought in a multiplicity of campaigns across the vast Ottoman Empire of the day.  

This will be an enlightening exposé on one of Australia's most significant, but little-known wartime opponents. David will put into context the Ottoman Empire's major military conflicts between July 1908 when the Young Turks seized power and October 1918 when the Empire finally collapsed. This dissolution of empire had profound effects on the creation of the state of Turkey and other countries in the Middle East which are still being felt today.