Ordered to Die: A History of the Ottoman Army in the First World War

(Hardback)

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The first general history in English of the Ottoman Army in the First World War, Ordered to Die is based on newly available Turkish archival and official sources. Outnumbered and outgunned, the Ottoman Army performed astonishingly well in the field and managed to keep fighting until the end of the war, long after many other armies had quit the field. It fought a multi-front war against sophisticated and capable enemies, including Great Britain, France, and Russia. Erickson challenges conventional thinking about Ottoman war aims, Ottoman military effectiveness, and the influence of German assistance. Written at the strategic and operational levels, this study frames the Turkish military contributions in a unitary manner by establishing linkages between campaigns and theaters. It also contains the first detailed discussion of Ottoman operations in Galicia, Romania, and Macedonia. Erickson provides a wealth of information on Ottoman Army organization, deployments, strategy, and staff procedures. He examines with particular attention the army's role in the Armenian deportations and the intelligence available to the Turks in 1914 and 1915. Appendixes include biographies of important commanders, the efforts of the Ottoman Air Force, Ottoman casualties, as well as a wartime chronology.

Reviews

.,."a comprehensive and valuable study from the perspective of the 'other side, ' deepening our understanding of the war in the Middle East, and widening the basis for future comparative works on specific campaigns and fronts."-Journal of Military History
.,."a major work of research and of historical justice."-The International History Review
...a comprehensive and valuable study from the perspective of the 'other side, ' deepening our understanding of the war in the Middle East, and widening the basis for future comparative works on specific campaigns and fronts.-Journal of Military History
...a major work of research and of historical justice.-The International History Review
A reader interested in the Ottoman campaigns of the time, Erickson is a must. He writes well, and provides a large amount of Order of Battle and biographical information, and his conclusions are stimulating.-The Journal of the Western Front Association
Colonel Erickson has written an extraordinary book that provides, for the first time, a comprehensive chronicle of the often misunderstood Turkish Army of The Great War. This book belongs in the bookcase of all students of that tumultuous period. No other book exists that contains such a valuable amount of accurate information and explanations, including much sought-after Orders of Battle with firm numbers that are unattainable elsewhere. This inside view sheds new light on famous battles, such as that of Gallipoli, often down to remaining artillery shells.-Camaraderie
Edward Erickson has performed a valuable service for historians in producing the first fully researched overview in English of the Ottoman army in the First World War...Historians without language abilities in Turkish owe Erickson a considerable debt for this essential book.-War in History
Ordered to Die is the only comprehensive account in English dealing with the Ottoman Army during the Great War....The book presents covers virtually all aspects of the Ottoman Army in the period, organization, training, equipment, tactics, and politics, as well as operations....An important book for anyone interested in the Great War.-The NYMAS Newsletter
This excellent monograph dispels many myths and assesses the overall Ottoman war effort from the "Turkish side of the hill." Comprehensive and balanced, Ordered to Die is likely to remain the definitive study of this topic.-Military Heritage
,, this book will be the definitive work on the subject for the indefinite future and is highly recommended.-Middle East Journal
[e]minently readable.-Stand To!
[e]minently readable.- Stand To!
, , , this book will be the definitive work on the subject for the indefinite future and is highly recommended.-Middle East Journal
..."a comprehensive and valuable study from the perspective of the 'other side, ' deepening our understanding of the war in the Middle East, and widening the basis for future comparative works on specific campaigns and fronts."-Journal of Military History
..."a major work of research and of historical justice."-The International History Review
, ,," this book will be the definitive work on the subject for the indefinite future and is highly recommended."-Middle East Journal
"A reader interested in the Ottoman campaigns of the time, Erickson is a must. He writes well, and provides a large amount of Order of Battle and biographical information, and his conclusions are stimulating."-The Journal of the Western Front Association
"Edward Erickson has performed a valuable service for historians in producing the first fully researched overview in English of the Ottoman army in the First World War...Historians without language abilities in Turkish owe Erickson a considerable debt for this essential book."-War in History
"Ordered to Die is the only comprehensive account in English dealing with the Ottoman Army during the Great War....The book presents covers virtually all aspects of the Ottoman Army in the period, organization, training, equipment, tactics, and politics, as well as operations....An important book for anyone interested in the Great War."-The NYMAS Newsletter
"This excellent monograph dispels many myths and assesses the overall Ottoman war effort from the "Turkish side of the hill." Comprehensive and balanced, Ordered to Die is likely to remain the definitive study of this topic."-Military Heritage
"Colonel Erickson has written an extraordinary book that provides, for the first time, a comprehensive chronicle of the often misunderstood Turkish Army of The Great War. This book belongs in the bookcase of all students of that tumultuous period. No other book exists that contains such a valuable amount of accurate information and explanations, including much sought-after Orders of Battle with firm numbers that are unattainable elsewhere. This inside view sheds new light on famous battles, such as that of Gallipoli, often down to remaining artillery shells."-Camaraderie

Author Bio

EDWARD J. ERICKSON teaches social studies at Norwich High School in Norwich, New York./e After serving as an infantry noncommissioned officer in airborne assignments, he was commissioned in the Field Artillery and served with divisional and corps artillery units in the United States, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and in Operation Desert Storm.