Summary

Book by Rudolf Zabel titled 'Im Kampf um Konstantinopel und die wirtschaftliche Lage der Türkei während des Weltkrieges auf Gallipoli, und den Dardanellen, in Anatolien, Kleinasien und Mesopotamien, in der Levante' (the struggle for Constantinople and the economic situation of Türkiye during the World War on Gallipoli, and the Dardanelles, in Anatolia, Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, in the Levant). It was published in Leipzig, Germany in 1916, during World War I. Rudolf Zabel was a German journalist, writer and traveller. The book is illustrated with photographs of the German military mission to Türkiye during the Dardanelles (Gallipoli) campaign. Some of the images appear to depict the campaign from the Turkish perspective, with distant smoke arising from the shoreline.

The inside cover is inscribed 'Heer (Army) -Agimont 18/12/18' and ' Ralph W. Field 46 Batt. A.I.F.' This was probably Ralph William Field, service number 1693. He was born in Melbourne and was a 19-year-old salesman when he enlisted to serve on 9 February 1916. He embarked from Australia less than two months later, on 4 April, bound for Egypt. By September he was serving in France. His battalion saw extensive action, including Ypres 1917, Passchendaele and the German Spring Offensive from March 1918. Field was promoted from private to lance corporal in October 1917, and returned to Australia in June 1919.

The date of the German inscription is of interest as it post-dates World War I. Field was 'still with unit' on 3 November 1918, became a driver in an unspecified location in January 1919 and only ceased 'duty with transport' in late March.

Physical Description

Hard-covered book, written in German, 166 pages. Cover is illustrated with drawing of three Turkish soldiers on pier, with Turkish flag in red, watching a ship on the horizon. The book title below is underlaid with Turkish and German flags. The contents of the book include extensive text in German, and black and white photographs of Turkey during the Dardanelles campaign.

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