Ottoman Infantryman 1914-18

Description

Following the Balkan Wars of 1912-1913, the Ottoman Empire undertook a massive military retraining program. Although many histories have depicted the Ottomans as a poor fighting force, this was more often due to poor leadership and logistics. The typical Ottoman soldier, the asker, was tough, well-trained, and courageous. While fighting over varied terrain from Gallipoli, to Mesopotamia and to the Caucasus, they proved themselves to be able front-line troops. This is the first English-language book to focus exclusively on the Ottoman infantryman in the First World War. Using a combination of first-hand accounts, period photographs and specially commissioned artwork, it explores the recruitment, training, and combat experiences of these often-neglected warriors.

Born in 1944, David Nicolle worked in the BBC's Arabic service for a number of years before gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a doctorate from Edinburgh University. He has written numerous books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare, and has been a prolific author of Osprey titles for many years. Christa Hook began her illustrating career in 1986, after studying under her father Richard Hook. Her work has featured extensively in the worlds of publishing and television and, having illustrated over 30 Osprey titles, she has established herself as one of their most popular artists. Her illustrations combine the historian's attention to detail with the artist's sense of drama and atmosphere, and they are sought after by collectors worldwide. Christa lives and works in East Sussex, England.

"This book is the first of its kind that looks at the average Ottoman soldier as a well trained and courageous individual ... The author includes many unpublished photographs from his own collection, plus illustrations across several plates featuring images of individual Ottoman infantrymen from training to combat to tactics used in battle." --www.mataka.org (November 2010) "An insightful look into the daily lives of history's fighting men and women, detailing their motivation, training, tactics and experiences... Illuminated by firsthand accounts, period photographs and specially commissioned artwork, this is the first English-language title to focus exclusively on the Ottoman infantry in World War I." --History Magazine (April/May 2010)