With so much talk in the media about the possible impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), I thought I’d see what AI could produce on the Salonika Campaign. So, I visited ChatGPT and gave it the following prompt:
“Write a short introduction to the Salonika Campaign of 1915-1918 where British forces were involved. Explain the political background, the reasons for British involvement, the initial and ongoing difficulties, successes, and failures of the campaign.”
And, within seconds, the AI had produced the text (in blue) below and, after a little more prompting, the accompanying image. What do you think? How would you mark this AI homework?
The Salonika Campaign (1915–1918)
The Salonika Campaign (1915–1918), part of the broader Balkan theater [sic] of World War I, was a politically contentious and strategically complex operation involving British and Allied forces. It originated against the backdrop of the collapse of Serbia, a key Allied power in the Balkans, and the desire to contain Central Powers’ influence in the region.
Political Background and British Involvement
The campaign was driven by a mix of strategic necessity and political considerations. Following Bulgaria’s entry into the war on the side of the Central Powers in 1915, Serbia was invaded and overrun by a combined Austro-Hungarian, German, and Bulgarian force. This development alarmed the Allies, who sought to stabilize the region and prevent further Central Powers’ advances into Greece and the eastern Mediterranean.
British involvement was spurred by a combination of commitments to its Entente allies—particularly France—and the need to secure the strategic link between the Mediterranean and the Near East, including the Suez Canal. However, British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith’s cabinet was divided on the campaign, with many seeing it as a diversion of resources from the more critical Western Front.
Initial and Ongoing Difficulties
From the outset, the Salonika Campaign faced severe challenges. The Allied forces, including British troops, landed in Salonika (modern Thessaloniki) in October 1915 to provide relief to Serbia, but the rapid fall of Serbia and the harsh Balkan winter forced a retreat into Greece. The ensuing stalemate in the region mirrored the trench warfare of the Western Front but was compounded by mountainous terrain, inadequate infrastructure, and endemic diseases such as malaria, which significantly weakened troop effectiveness.
The political situation in Greece further complicated matters. Greek neutrality was contested, with pro-Allied and pro-Central Powers factions vying for control. A coup in 1917 finally brought Greece into the war on the Allied side, but this delay hindered effective coordination and progress.
Successes and Failures
Despite its challenges, the Salonika Campaign achieved some notable successes. Allied forces eventually went on the offensive in 1918, spearheading operations that led to the decisive Vardar Offensive. This contributed to the capitulation of Bulgaria in September 1918, the first of the Central Powers to surrender, and helped to secure an Allied victory in the Balkans.
However, the campaign is often criticized for its high costs relative to its limited strategic impact. It tied down large numbers of troops and resources that some argued could have been better used on the Western Front. The campaign’s slow pace and significant casualties, largely due to disease, also fueled skepticism about its value.
In hindsight, the Salonika Campaign highlights the interplay of military strategy, political maneuvering, and the complexities of coalition warfare in a volatile region. While its immediate successes were limited, its role in destabilizing the Central Powers’ position in the Balkans and hastening the end of the war was significant.
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Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 
What an interesting idea, Andy – well done for embracing modern technology! The text seems quite good to me, but the picture is dreadful – which is encouraging (maybe AI isn’t about to take over the world!). The helmets are different shapes and look most peculiar (some look like trilbies) and webbing is almost non-existent – clearly ChatGPT didn’t have access to NM47 (What the Soldiers Wore in Salonika)! As for the scenery, it’s not Doiran or the Struma and they all deserve to have their heads shot off, leaning as if they are admiring the view on a balcony! I know Salonika was considered a quieter front, but this picture takes that to extremes. To see real pictures of the BSF, I recommend the IWM’s excellent online collection of photos:
https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections (search ‘Salonika’)
I don’t like the photo Andy as it’s quite misleading. The text seems pretty good although I wish we could see a list of all the sources that were accessed.
I would also like to see what comes up if you ask about the campaign from the Bulgarian perspective and perhaps the Serbian one too. Then we’ll see how well things stack up.
I agree Nick – the photo is awful. I asked ChatGPT to generate another image and the results were, frankly, laughable. Maybe other AI tools are better with images.
Good point about the source reference material and it’s something that academia is beginning to have to wrestle with: https://library-guides.ucl.ac.uk/referencing-plagiarism/acknowledging-genAI .
I asked ChatGPT to give an account of the conflict, focusing on the Bulgarian side of things. This is what it came up with: “The Salonika Campaign (1915-1918) was a significant but often overlooked theater of World War I, primarily involving Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, and the Allied Powers (especially France and the UK). The campaign unfolded in the Balkans, centered around the Greek city of Salonika (modern-day Thessaloniki), and saw Bulgaria playing a pivotal yet complex role.
Political Background: Bulgaria entered World War I on the side of the Central Powers (Germany and Austria-Hungary) in October 1915. This decision was largely driven by the desire to reclaim territories lost in the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), particularly from Serbia, Greece, and Romania. The Balkan states were deeply involved in territorial rivalries, and Bulgaria’s primary goal was to gain control of Macedonia, an ethnically diverse region coveted by both Bulgaria and Serbia. Bulgaria also had historical ties to this area, with a significant ethnic Bulgarian population in Macedonia.
Bulgarian Involvement: Bulgaria’s involvement in the Salonika Campaign stemmed from its military objectives and the strategic importance of controlling Macedonia. Upon entering the war, Bulgaria swiftly moved to secure the region, clashing with Serbian and Allied forces who were trying to keep the area out of Central Powers’ hands. The Bulgarian army’s primary objective was to protect its territorial gains and to weaken Serbian resistance, particularly after Serbia was overrun by Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian forces in late 1915.
Difficulties and Failures: Initially, the Bulgarians had some success, helping to establish a strong defensive line in Macedonia, particularly by 1916. However, their position became increasingly difficult as the Allies, operating out of Salonika, launched counteroffensives. The logistical challenges of supporting their forces in such a rugged and distant region, combined with the increasing pressure from the Allied forces and a lack of reinforcements, made continued success harder to achieve.
One of the main difficulties for Bulgaria was the strain of a prolonged conflict. The area’s geography, harsh terrain, and the necessity of maintaining control over a broad and contested front stretched Bulgarian resources. Furthermore, Bulgaria faced internal political instability and economic hardship, and by 1918, their resolve was weakening.
Successes: Despite these challenges, Bulgaria managed to hold much of Macedonia for several years and inflicted substantial damage on Serbian forces. Bulgarian troops played a key role in the suppression of Serbian resistance and secured large parts of the region early in the conflict. Bulgaria’s initial tactical successes in defending its interests in Macedonia helped solidify its position in the Balkans for a time.
Failures and Conclusion: However, as the war dragged on, Bulgaria’s position weakened. The Allied forces, after enduring significant losses, eventually launched a major offensive in 1918. The breakthrough at the Battle of Dobro Pole in September 1918, coupled with the collapse of the Central Powers on the Western Front, led to Bulgaria’s eventual surrender. The post-war Treaty of Neuilly (1919) saw Bulgaria lose much of the territory it had fought to control, including large portions of Macedonia, and the country was left dissatisfied and weakened.
In summary, the Bulgarian side of the Salonika Campaign was marked by initial territorial gains and successes, but prolonged involvement led to logistical difficulties, internal struggles, and eventual failure. The campaign’s outcomes played a major role in shaping the post-war political landscape in the Balkans, with Bulgaria’s territorial ambitions largely unfulfilled.”
Thank you Andy
The Bulgarian perspective adds quite a bit to the overall picture.
It seems to me though that the strength of the Bulgarian defences and their familiarity with the terrain are described as being weaker than often portrayed by Allied accounts. Conversely the threat from the Allies seems to be presented as a bit stronger than that indicated by Allied accounts. I wonder if this relates to historians being more critical of their own forces and giving greater respect to the enemy? Or is that just human nature anyway?
From my first look into AI, I think one of the biggest issues is one you pointed out originally Nick: it’s not possible to see the source materials that the AI tool has used in presenting its results. Without that information it’s impossible to see where the bias lies. To misquote Dr Johnson, AI’s historical research “is like a dog’s walking on his hind legs. It is not done well; but you are surprised to find it done at all.”