The Gallipoli fiasco was the first of those events.
The plan to quickly end the first World war was brilliantly conceived in the mind of Winston Churchill. A naval fleet would force the Dardanelles and bombard Istanbul while a ground attack would support across the Gallipoli peninsular.
Unfortunately the lead ships in the convoy were damaged by sea-mines, the Commander in charge lost his nerve and retreated. The whole operation should have been called off.
But the land attack was launched any way and over the next 15 months 130,000 good men lost their lives in a fruitless cause.
Gallipoli was a turning point in how men and nations looked upon the leadership of their generals. No longer were they founts of all wisdom but fallible men who could sometimes make brainless decisions.
I am not a pacifist nor a conscientious objector, but I would think long and hard before committing my life to a struggle that a little foresight and diplomacy could have avoided in the first place.
Since Gallipoli left 200,000 widows and mothers grieving over the senseless sacrifice of their sons, perhaps wisdom is asking us to consult with our womenfolk before the buglers sound the next "CHARGE"?
Ian
