Ernest Peacock was probably the first westerner to interview Mustafa Kemal after the end of the war.
“His Excellency, General Mustapha Kemal Pasha, is the General who was responsible for the defence, at first of Ari Burnu (Anzac Cove) and afterwards in command of the whole of the forces operating in Anafarta, which comprised the whole area in this part of the Peninsula.
“When the General head that an Australian desired to see him, he very readily granted an interview, and was courteous and free in his conversation regarding the campaign on the Peninsula. The conversation was carried on in French.
“Glad and charmed” were the terms he used. “The Turks like brave men. While his officers were watching the struggle they often applauded the courage and valor of the Australians.”
“What do you think of the whole policy of the attack on the Peninsula and Dardanelles?”
“It was a good strong idea, and if it had not been for the previous naval attack it would have succeeded, but it was a mistake to make a naval attack first and then go away and come back again. It made us more cautious and have us time to strengthen our defences. The Navy and Army should have combined together in the first place.”
“Now with regard to the actual attack and landing, what is your comment on it, General?”
“I recognised at once the British intended to make a permanent landing, and I did my utmost to prevent that landing being effected, hence the strength of the defence. I did not think it was possible for the landing to take place.
“After the landing had been effected the Australians made a mistake in trying to take too large an area with the number of troops they had landed. They could only hold such a long line with a thin body of men. I quickly saw that position, so I sent a comparatively weak force to engage [the] Australians’ centre, while I made my main attack from the north against [the] Australians’ left near the coast.”
“Here the General took the pencil and paper and made a sketch of the area to illustrate his tactics.
“The effect was that the attacking force was nearly destroyed, while our own casualties were also very heavy, and I succeeded in driving the attackers back to a much smaller area on the coast, where they were under the protection of their own navy. The mistake was there were too few men on the long line. It was a very daring adventure of the Australians, and only the very bravest troops could have accomplished what they did,” said he.
“That same night General Mustapha Kemal met two Australian officer prisoners, when he inspected [the] lines, and told them what he thought of their courage.
“Did you think the enterprise would be successful, and that the British had got through?”
“After the landing had actually been effected the British had the best of the position, and I was doubtful as to the ultimate result. Then when I was given command of the whole area, and was able to co-ordinate the whole defence, my confidence increased, and I took measures that made it impossible for the enterprise to be successful. After the second landing, the defence had the best of the position, and my confidence increased. The nature of the country and other conditions ave the defence [an] undoubted advantage.”
“On account of illness the General had to give up his command about ten days before the evacuation.
“Is it true, General, that you were short of ammunition and about to retire, just at the time of our evacuation?”
“No. We were quite strong enough to hold on. We were always short of ammunition, but always had enough to keep going; always short, but not exhausted.”
“Do you know anything about the conditions at the forts round at the Dardanelles?”
“No, that did not come within my province.”
“General Mustapha Kemal, after the Gallipoli campaign, was in command of the 2nd Army in the Caucases, and then in command of the 7th Armies in Syria, where he again came into contact with Australian troops.
“I shall always appreciate the courage of the Australians very much. The esteem and respect born and developed on the battlefield will be enduring.”
“Sitting in the luxuriously furnished reception room, drinking coffee, and smoking cigarettes so enjoyably, it was difficult to realise one was in the presence of a man who had organised the defence against the Australians. Of course it was purely a military matter. Attack and defence, and he was the defender.
“General Mustapha Kemal is a man of medium height, about 45 years of age, solidly built, with a kindly, frank, self-possessed manner, extremely courteous, very European looking. He was dressed in the regular grey uniform of a General, and wore the decorations of his rank suspended from his neck.
“In leaving, I assured him that if ever he had the inclination to visit Australia he would find man of his opponents on the Peninsula glad to see him.” [1]
[1] ‘The Riverine Herald’ (Echuca, Victoria), 10th March 1919.
Image: “Anafarta, Gallipoli Peninsula. c. 1915-08. The commander Mustafa Kemal Bey (Ataturk) (fourth from left) with officers and staff of the Anafarta Group, of which he was given command 1915-08, Far left is Major Izzettin Bey.” AWM P01141.001.
