Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
4 Maps and Geo-located Artefacts from the Gallipoli
Campaign
World War I generated an unprecedented demand for maps at scales from 1:200,
for detailed trench maps (Chasseaud
1999
; cited in Collier
2002
), to 1:1,000,000
and smaller for strategic planning maps (Heffernan
1996
; cited in Collier
2002
).
On the Western Front mapping was provided via proven channels of information
provision.
The campaign in the Dardanelles needed accurate maps to depict the terrain
where landings would take place. This would be difficult terrain to traverse and
maps were needed for assessment of possible landing sites and for later strategic
deliberations. Due to the hurried planning of the Gallipoli campaign, very few
maps were available for planning and the execution of landings in the Dardanelles.
According to Piersig (
1994
) the lack of accurate maps caused many problems,
including:
• Tactical planning
• Use of naval firepower; and
• Communication between ground units.
Many references were made to this in Moorhead's book, Gallipoli (Moorhead
1997
).
In the absence of maps staff officers scoured the shops (of Alexandra and Cairo) for
guidebooks'' (p 99). … ''There was a shortage of almost everything …'' (p 99). ''… and
the maps which were supplied to the officers were incomplete and downright inaccurate''
(p 113). ''… the Gaba Tepe region, where the ANZAC troops were to land, was unmapped
and almost wholly unknown (p 113).
Piersig (
1994
) also made comments about the problems:
Intelligence at the tactical level was woefully inadequate—for example, accurate maps
were not available'' (p 4). Hamilton's plan hinged on effective communication and
coordination between his forces ashore and the forces at sea. Poor communications were
caused by equipment problems; by doctrinal and language difficulties … and the lack of
accurate maps hindered the operation (p 18). ''Lacking reliable ship-to-shore communi-
cations and accurate maps, the army was unable to utilize the fleet's firepower effectively
(p 18).
But, in time accurate maps were obtained (Piersig
1994
).
As the campaign continued the number of maps and drawings produced
increased, and the range of artefacts widened. These were produced at Gallipoli, to
support troop movements, 'at home' by commercial map producers and newspa-
pers for a civilian population eager for news from the front and geographical
depictions of the campaign area. Some of these products are outlined in the
following sections.
