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The Gallipoli Letter
In September 1915, Keith Murdoch, then a young war journalist, wrote an 8000-word letter to the Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher. 'The Gallipoli Letter', as it came to be known, changed the course of the Gallipoli campaign.
The letter, protesting against the conduct of the campaign and describing conditions at the front, is both intimate and conversational: 'I shall talk to you as if you were by my side.' It is also at times angry, passionate, vivid and very moving: 'Then in the early hours came the landing, when the life of man is at its lowest.' At times, it is simply heartbreaking: 'The heroic Fourth Brigade was reduced in three day's fighting to little more than 1000 strong. You will be glad to know that the men died well.'
The letter changed the course of the campaign: Hamilton, the general in charge of the campaign, was sent home, and the Allies were withdrawn in December of the same year.
The Gallipoli Letter is an inspiring document. It speaks directly to us about war, our history and the indomitable Australian spirit. Accessible and compelling, it should be read by everyone - it is a vital part of our history and the enduring ANZAC legend.
About Keith Murdoch
Sir Keith Arthur Murdoch was born in 1885 and died in 1952. He was a brilliant and passionate journalist who became one of Australia' s leading newspaper men. In 1915, he was given permission to visit Anzac where he spent four days on Gallipoli sending home dispatches and meeting the chief war correspondents. It is from these days and conversations that the Gallipoli Letter was created.
The letter, protesting against the conduct of the campaign and describing conditions at the front, is both intimate and conversational: 'I shall talk to you as if you were by my side.' It is also at times angry, passionate, vivid and very moving: 'Then in the early hours came the landing, when the life of man is at its lowest.' At times, it is simply heartbreaking: 'The heroic Fourth Brigade was reduced in three day's fighting to little more than 1000 strong. You will be glad to know that the men died well.'
The letter changed the course of the campaign: Hamilton, the general in charge of the campaign, was sent home, and the Allies were withdrawn in December of the same year.
The Gallipoli Letter is an inspiring document. It speaks directly to us about war, our history and the indomitable Australian spirit. Accessible and compelling, it should be read by everyone - it is a vital part of our history and the enduring ANZAC legend.
About Keith Murdoch
Sir Keith Arthur Murdoch was born in 1885 and died in 1952. He was a brilliant and passionate journalist who became one of Australia' s leading newspaper men. In 1915, he was given permission to visit Anzac where he spent four days on Gallipoli sending home dispatches and meeting the chief war correspondents. It is from these days and conversations that the Gallipoli Letter was created.
- GenresNonfictionHistoryWar
112 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
July 8, 2021
The Gallipoli Letter was written by Australian journalist Keith Murdoch to the Australian Prime Minister, Andrew Fisher in 1915. The letter is said to have changed the course of the campaign in Gallipoli, with the recall of Ian Hamilton and the withdrawal of Australian troops in December of the same year (the letter was also sent to the British PM, at the request of Lloyd George).
The book also features an introduction, which puts the letter into context, gives a brief history of Murdoch and his relationship with Fisher, what the inaccuracies in his letter are and how they came about.
Reading the letter so long after the events it discusses means the introduction is invaluable in helping the reader to adopt the best perspective for full of understanding of the letter and how it was able to have the impact it did.
Even though I have read fairly extensively about the Gallipoli campaign I wasn’t aware until reading this that London was not even informing the Australian Government of how the Australian troops were being used or where they were being deployed. I knew the British were in charge, but I didn’t realise this extended to a total lack of consultation about all decisions and a dearth of information.
Fisher dispatched Murdoch to bring him the truth of the situation, as the bulk of Fisher’s information was coming from censored news reports sent for publication in the major newspapers.
The letter certainly adds another dimension to my understanding of the campaign and the political climate of the period.
The book also features an introduction, which puts the letter into context, gives a brief history of Murdoch and his relationship with Fisher, what the inaccuracies in his letter are and how they came about.
Reading the letter so long after the events it discusses means the introduction is invaluable in helping the reader to adopt the best perspective for full of understanding of the letter and how it was able to have the impact it did.
Even though I have read fairly extensively about the Gallipoli campaign I wasn’t aware until reading this that London was not even informing the Australian Government of how the Australian troops were being used or where they were being deployed. I knew the British were in charge, but I didn’t realise this extended to a total lack of consultation about all decisions and a dearth of information.
Fisher dispatched Murdoch to bring him the truth of the situation, as the bulk of Fisher’s information was coming from censored news reports sent for publication in the major newspapers.
The letter certainly adds another dimension to my understanding of the campaign and the political climate of the period.
October 23, 2023
Keith Murdoch was heroic in writing this piece. Where one may have bowed to the crown, Keith maintained a sense of nationalism and pride in the Australian uniform.
March 6, 2017
An excellent example of what journalism can do on behalf of others, when confronted with sheer military incompetence. Murdoch is more concerned with the Aussies than the New Zealanders - and rightly so, given that he's on commission from the Australian PM of the time - but in standing up for the ANZACS (even making some factual mistakes as he did) he was at least able to speak effectively for them.
February 13, 2013
A formative piece of the Anzac Myth puzzle from Rupert's old man. This letter about the terrible conditions and incompetence of high command is given credit for driving the pull out once it was read by politicians in Australia and the UK.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews