Gallipoli Diary, Volume 2

The diary opens in the heat of July 1915, when senior officers are finalising the next assault on the Gallipoli peninsula. Through terse entries and occasional personal reflections, the writer reveals the pressure of coordinating landings, the clash between grand plans and the harsh realities of terrain and enemy fire. Readers hear candid messages from high command, including the famous admonition that surprise, not perseverance, determines success.

In addition to strategic musings, the volume is rich with practical details: sketches of landing craft, maps of the beaches, and notes on water supply, ammunition flow, and the ingenuity required to move men and materiel under fire. The narrative captures the tension of a moment when initial gains seemed possible, yet logistical shortfalls threatened to stall the advance. Listeners are invited to experience the blend of military precision and human anxiety that defined the early days of the campaign.