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The Rest Is History
The Rest Is History

676. The First World War: Churchill’s Calamity (Part 6)

June 03, 2026 • 1h 17m

Summary

⏱️ 11 min read

Overview

This episode examines the disastrous Gallipoli campaign of 1915, exploring how Winston Churchill's ambitious plan to knock the Ottoman Empire out of WWI became one of Britain's greatest military disasters. The hosts trace the brutal reality of trench warfare on Turkish soil, the political fallout in Westminster, and how the campaign became foundational to Australian and New Zealand national identity despite—or because of—its failure.

The Reality of Gallipoli: Letters from the Battlefield

The episode opens with a poignant letter from Sarah Fitzpatrick to her son Jack, found on his body after he was killed at Anzac Cove. Jack, born in England to Scottish parents, became famous in Australia as John Simpson, the man with the donkey who rescued wounded soldiers. His story embodies the Anzac Spirit that emerged from the campaign—selfless, heroic, and ultimately tragic. The letter captures both maternal pride and the devastating human cost of Churchill's gamble.

  • Sarah Fitzpatrick's letter to her son Jack expressed both sorrow and pride that he was among such brave men at Gallipoli
  • Jack Fitzpatrick became famous as John Simpson, using donkeys to rescue 300 wounded Anzacs before being killed on May 19th, 1915
  • Simpson became the supreme embodiment of the Anzac Spirit—pure, selfless and heroic
" Simpson and his donkey became a legend, the symbol of all that was pure, selfless and heroic on Gallipoli. "

Churchill's Disastrous Gamble and Political Fallout

Winston Churchill's plan to force the Dardanelles and capture Constantinople has failed spectacularly. Despite his grandiose promises of quick victory, the campaign has devolved into deadly stalemate. As casualties mount and public opinion turns, Churchill faces political destruction. The episode details his removal from the Admiralty, his desperate attempts to cling to power, and the formation of a coalition government that makes him the scapegoat for the disaster.

  • Churchill promised to take Constantinople by the end of March and destroy Turkish forces in Europe—a promise that proved wildly over-optimistic
  • The First Sea Lord Jackie Fisher resigned for the seventh time on May 12th, creating a political crisis
  • The Times published a bombshell report on May 14th that British troops were running out of shells due to government incompetence
  • Churchill was forced out of the Admiralty on May 25th and given the non-job of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
  • Churchill's wife Clemmie wrote a pleading letter to Asquith, which Margot Asquith dismissed as showing 'the soul of a servant'
" Through the narrows of the Dardanelles along the ridges of the Gallipoli Peninsula lie some of the shortest paths to a triumphant peace. Beyond those few miles of ridge and scrub lie the downfall of a hostile empire, the destruction of an enemy's fleet and army, the fall of a world-famous capital, and probably the accession of powerful allies. "
" I thought he would never get over the Dardanelles. I thought he would die of grief. "

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