Maybe it’s my Fenland heritage, but I have long found wetlands fascinating environments. With the Broads in the east, the Fens in the west and lots of swampy bits in between, Norfolk is an ideal place to live, although on this World Wetlands Day my thoughts go to the Struma Valley. The Struma front, where XVI Corps operated, is the aspect of the Macedonian campaign that interests me most – primarily because it’s where my grandfather, Fred, served – but I don’t often think of it in terms of being a wetland environment.
Continue reading “World Wetlands Day”Blog
Happy Year of the Snake!
As today sees the start of the Lunar New Year, I take this opportunity to wish all our readers a happy Year of the Snake. A brief online search suggests that snakes symbolise good luck and rebirth, the pursuit of love and happiness, and wealth and wisdom; so reasons for optimism in 2025! If you were born in a Year of the Snake, heading east is said to be auspicious, so perhaps you should sign-up for a Salonika battlefield tour with the SCS. It’s almost certainly a good idea, even if you were born under another animal!
Continue reading “Happy Year of the Snake!”A Night at the Palace Cinema
Amongst the souvenirs of the campaign collected by Private Herbert Price of the ASC Supply Department is a rather fragile flyer for Salonika’s Palace Cinema for the week beginning Monday 30 October 1916. Two films were on offer, the first a French silent film from the previous year, Strass & Compagnie, described as ‘a grand patriotic and poignant drama … in four long parts’, which doesn’t seem a great choice for men seeking escapism from war. In which case, maybe Herbert’s preference was for the 1912 American short, A Millionaire for A Day. Described by one US paper as ‘a screaming comedy’, this 1912 American silent short – based on a true story – is about a mechanic who goes to New York City and squanders his inheritance in a single day, returning home broke but wiser (Wikipedia). On the coming Friday, the film Pont du Diable (Devil’s Bridge) was promised, although this sounds uncomfortably like a location in the Struma valley!
Continue reading “A Night at the Palace Cinema”‘Salonika Secrets’ – New Episode
SCS Secretary, Chris Loader, has just released a new episode of his podcast Salonika Secrets (mentioned here in April, 2024).
In Episode 4 of the podcast, Chris begins a new series dedicated to sharing the stories of the fallen officers of the 10th Hampshire Regiment during the Salonika Campaign.
The series begins with the story of Lieutenant John Howard Tanner, who was killed on September 15, 1916, and is buried in the Struma Military Cemetery in Greece.
You can listen to the podcast free on Spotify, Amazon and Apple. Chris also posts updates and extra information on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) here.
AI-Generated Overview of the Salonika Campaign
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.
It was Christmas Day in the Cookhouse …
As you eat your Christmas meal – whether it’s traditional, exotic, vegetarian or vegan – spare a thought for the Mongey Wallahs, the cooks who had to feed large numbers of men everyday of the year during the Macedonian campaign: with no gas or electric hobs and ovens, often unreliable provisions and extremes of temperature to work in, not to mention the activities of the enemy. These unsung heroes of the BSF get little attention so, at this time of year when food plays such an important in the festivities, it’s good to remember them and their vital role.
Continue reading “It was Christmas Day in the Cookhouse …”Christmas Greetings from Noah!
Looking back, I see that my last update on ‘our’ mule, Noah, was exactly a year ago. This is very remiss of me, although if you are a member you will have been able to read more about him in the latest issue of The New Mosquito. Suffice it to say, he is in fine fettle and enjoying life in the winter paddock with his donkey and mule chums at the Redwings Horse Sanctuary near Great Yarmouth. At the Society’s annual meeting in October it was agreed that he should follow Muffin in becoming an Honorary Member of the Society, to recognise the vital part played by mules and other animals in the Macedonian campaign. A splendid certificate has been produced and will be presented in the coming year. As you can see from the photo which follows, Noah is a handsome chap who, like Muffin, is on the small size but with a big personality!
Continue reading “Christmas Greetings from Noah!”2024 – A Year in Review
Christmas Message from Alan Wakefield, SCS Chair
On behalf of the Committee, I’d like to wish all SCS members and visitors to this site a very Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy the festive period as we anticipate what 2025 will bring.
Image source: https://southwarkheritage.wordpress.com/category/guest-blogger/
The past year has certainly been eventful for the Society with changes on the Committee, the beginning of new projects and initiatives, another successful battlefield tour and the flurry of Remembrance events between late September and 11 November. I would like to thank all members for their continued support, which enables the SCS to effectively fulfil its mission of remembering, commemorating and researching those who served in the Salonika Campaign.
Given the changes in the composition of the Committee this year, I think it only right to begin with a few words about those amongst the membership who have voluntarily involved themeselves in running the Society over the past year. Andy Hutt, Keith Edmonds and Ray Brownson continue their respective work as Web Officer, Membership Secretary and Treasurer, with Keith also stepping in to edit issue No.49 of The New Mosquito to ensure another excellent edition of our journal saw the light of day. Andy continues to develop the Society’s website and I strongly encourage all members to log in and use the Members Area and in particular the White Tower Café discussion forum where members can post questions or information about any aspect of the Salonika Campaign and associated subjects. It is only through increased use that the forum and wider Members Area will prove a success. In terms of Ray’s work as Treasurer, much of his time has been taken up with, what has become, the rather frustrating task of moving the Society over to online banking. Having been involved in this saga myself, I will spare you the details, but suffice it to say a certain ‘new’ Highstreet bank won’t be getting any glowing reviews from the Society. By my time of my Chair’s Report in the April 2025 New Mosquito, I hope to be able to share news that we’ve achieved our objective!
In terms of changes to the Committee, John Taylor stood down as Secretary. I would like to thank John for his efforts and for getting involved in various aspects of Committee and wider Society life. Although stepping back from SCS administration, John is remaining active in SCS projects through his work as part of the team starting to list Salonika Campaign maps at The National Archives. John’s place as Secretary has been taken on by Chris Loader. Those of you who attended the recent AGM will have seen Chris stepping into the Secretary’s role ahead of time in John’s absence. Chris had originally thrown his hat into the ring following our call for an editor for The New Mosquito but was happy to take on the Secretary’s role when John confirmed he would step down. The reason Chris was able to step in as John’s replacement was down to our having two candidates for the role of editor, something unheard of before! Those of you who have read New Mosquito No.50 will be aware that our new Editor is James Bearman. I’m sure you will agree with me that James produced a great first edition of our journal and one that was in someways a landmark in bringing up the half century appearance of the publication. Hope you enjoyed the journal’s focus on the Salonika Reunion Association, our forebears.
In terms of the new projects and initiatives mentioned earlier, 2024 saw the inaugural award of the Philip Barnes Bursary to enable a postgrad student or postdoc researcher to visit the battlefields in Macedonia as part of the SCS’s annual battlefield tour. Our first bursary winner was Dr Jake Gasson, whose doctoral thesis examines the BSF’s struggle against boredom in Macedonia. Jake contributed four excellent ‘Stands’ to the tour covering Greek and Italian involvement in the campaign and Anglo-French relations and co-operation during the opening months of the campaign. Hopefully you have also read Jake’s piece on the SCS website covering the contested story of the French Zouaves involvement in the Second Battle of Doiran. As a final bursary contribution, we await Jake’s article in the April 2025 edition of The New Mosquito. It is fair to say Jake has set a very high bar for future bursary winners and has fully vindicated the concept of the bursary, which the Committee will discuss with the view of running it again in two or three years’ time.
Dr Jake Gasson giving his ‘Stand’ on the Italian involvement in the Salonika Campaign.
Another much discussed project that got off the ground in 2024 was that to catalogue maps at The National Archives (TNA). As some members will be aware, TNA holds large numbers of maps relevant to the Salonika Campaign. At present, many of these sheets are not individually listed and sit under very basic references such as ‘Salonika – various maps’, with nothing to point those undertaking research to relevant folders or individual maps. In November, a team of four SCS members (John Taylor, Keith Bowen, Keith Roberts and I) undertook some initial scoping work with assistance from Dr Will Butler, TNA’s Head of Military Records. The goal is to produce some basic listings of content for TNA, whilst at the same time capturing more detailed data to share with SCS members. The initial work has indicated the scale of the task we have ahead, although the fact that sets of maps sit in a series of individually numbered files does allow the work to be broken down into relatively manageable chunks, where some quick wins can be made. With many of the maps having been photographed, it is possible to work on the project remotely, without having to visit TNA. However, seeing and handling the original material is a bonus of the project, at least in my view. So, if you like maps or simply want to help make an important set of Salonika Campaign documents more accessible, please contact me for more information about joining the project.
SCS members cataloguing Salonika maps at the National Archives
Other successful projects in 2024 included SCS member Rob Elliott’s continued excellent work in identifying those receiving gallantry awards in the campaign. Our thanks to Rob who has now extended this work to also identify those mentioned in despatches during the campaign. 2024 also saw the results of a partnership with Great War Huts in a very successful and well-attended Salonika Study Day.
Colonel Nick Ilić MBE QGM – one of the presenters at the Salonika Study Day, 2024
Over in Greece the Society continued to cement its relationship with the village of Mavroplagia (formerly Karamudli), the village adopted by the SRA in 1951. Following last year’s visit to view the plaque presented to the village by the SRA in 1968, we returned to present the village with a SCS flag. This will be displayed in the village heritage centre alongside the plaque. A reception was organised for our arrival and the handover of the flag. A very friendly atmosphere prevailed with food, drink, speeches and singing. Thanks go to SCS member Apostolos Nalmpantis for acting as translator during the speeches. We look forward to returning to see our friends in Mavroplagia during the 2025 battlefield tour.
Remains of a loom, purchased for the village of Mavroplagia with funds from the Salonika Reunion Association in the 1950s.
The pieces of the loom are held by the Heritage Centre in Mavroplagia.
In terms of this year’s tour, my history workload was shared not only with Dr Jake Gasson, but also with First World War aviation historian Mike Kelsey. We covered much ground in visiting key locations associated with the air war over Macedonia, including the German airfield and officer accommodation at Drama, RFC/RAF airfield locations, the German bomber squadron base at Udova and the site of the kite balloon incident that led to the death of German air ace Lt Rudolf von Eschwege. We also brought the air component into discussions of ground operations at Doiran and in the Struma Valley. This was a great tour with a lot of new ground broken both in terms of locations visited and stories told. The group was a good mix of tour veterans and new travellers and, as always, good camaraderie reigned. Many thanks to Mike, Jake and members of the group who shared narratives on individual casualties commemorated in the well care for CWGC cemeteries scattered across the former BSF sector of the front.
Finally, the annual round of Remembrance activities began at the Five Nations Memorial, Polykastro, on Sunday 29 September. Here I was joined by British Defence Attache, Captain Sam Law (RN) in laying wreaths to commemorate the British war dead. The SCS tour group also laid wreaths at the Doiran Memorial and at the British section of the Lembet Road Military Cemetery. In the UK, the Society laid a wreath at The Cenotaph just prior to our annual meeting and on Monday 11 November, SCS members gathered with National Trust volunteers outside the Sandham Memorial Chapel in Burghclere to take part in what has become a very important act of Remembrance for the Society. Thanks go to our Patron, Ann Straker, for laying the majority of the wreaths on behalf of the Society, to Apostolos Nalmpantis for procuring the wreaths in Greece and for all members of the Society whose sponsorship of wreaths makes our commemorations possible. Thanks also go to Jonathan Saunders and Darren Rolfe for joining me in attending the opening of the Royal British Legion’s Field of Remembrance outside Westminster Abbey on Thursday 7 November and to members who supported the Salonika plot at the Field through planting a remembrance cross and making a donation to the RBL Poppy Appeal.
SCS Members at the Sandham Service of Remembrance, 2024
SCS Chair, Alan Wakefield presenting the British Salonika Army plot to The Duchess of Gloucester at the opening of the RBL Field of Remembrance, 7 November 2024.
So, with the festive season now upon us, the Committee takes a short break before beginning to plan activities for 2025. It now simply remains for me to wish you all best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Let’s use 2025 to find opportunities to work and meet together to remember all those who served with the British Salonika Force and who remain at the heart of our fellowship.
Alan Wakefield
Chair, The Salonika Campaign Society
Salonika: The Battle Against Boredom
Yesterday, Dr Jake Gasson1 presented ‘Salonika: The Battle Against Boredom’ online from the National Army Museum2. If you missed the talk, or would like to listen again, you can catch it below or via this link. The talk begins at 15 minutes 24 seconds.
1Dr Jake Gasson is a National Army Museum Fellow based at King’s College London, where he is a postdoctoral researcher. He obtained a DPhil from Pembroke College, Oxford, specialising in the Macedonian front of the First World War. He is also the first recipient of the Salonika Campaign Society’s Philip Barnes Bursary. Jake joined the Society’s 2024 battlefield visit to Greece, delivering two presentations to the tour party while there. We recently published his article on Searching for Scapegoats: The ‘unreliable Zouaves’ and the Second Battle of Doiran. Jake will also be writing a piece for the The New Mosquito in the future.
2The National Army Museum is a leading authority on the British Army and its impact on society past and present, and has hosted many free online events in the past. You can support its work here.
A Gold Medal Cyclist: the story of Sergeant Michael Henry Margiotta
Regular contributor to these pages, Robin Braysher, first wrote about Michael Margiotta on 6th October 2018 – the 100th anniversary of Michael’s death in Salonika. You can now read a much fuller account by Robin of Michael’s life and service and how he was honoured by the King of Serbia to become “A Gold Medal Cyclist” at the excellent site: Away from the Western Front.
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 