I’m going to take a break from French colonial cavalry to consider what the BSF was doing at this time, using the Official History of Military Operations in Macedonia (Vol. 2 – 1935) by Capt. Cyril Falls.
Tag: BSF
The British Salonika Force (or Army) during the Salonika campaign, 1915-1918.
What next?
Under the Devil’s Eye describes the thoughts of a British officer after the two failed attacks at Doiran:
“The cost was far too high”
A second attack was ordered for September 19. Alan Palmer describes it in stark terms and adds a damning indictment of the British attacks.
“508 bottles of beer will be sent to you”
Early in the morning of September 18th this apparently inconsequential message was telephoned to each British Divisional HQ. It was the signal that the attack at Doiran was to be launched at eight minutes past five that morning, one and three-quarter hours before sunrise. The offensive opened with…
Continue reading ““508 bottles of beer will be sent to you””
Away from the Western Front Conference : 30th October 2018
On the centenary of the Mudros Armistice, which marked the end of the First World War in the Middle East against the Ottoman Empire, we are delighted to be holding a conference reflecting on the often-overlooked campaigns which took place all over the world between 1914 and 1918.
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Introducing Desperate Frankie
As we enter September we come to the centenary of the last month of hostilities for the BSF. September 1918 saw the final allied offensive – which for the British was the Second Battle of Doiran – which brought about the Bulgarian armistice at the end of the month. Continue reading “Introducing Desperate Frankie”
Celebrating Norfolk Day : a Salonika connection
Having lived in Norfolk for just 28 years I am still an ‘incomer’ but, even so, I would like to celebrate the very first ‘Norfolk Day’ of my adopted county. The challenge, then, is to find a Norfolk connection although this is by no means obvious as you won’t find the Norfolk Regiment – a fine county regiment – in the BSF’s order of battle. Continue reading “Celebrating Norfolk Day : a Salonika connection”
Kiwis in Salonika
Having been taken by surprise by Anzac Day and with nothing appropriate prepared, I will simply share this link to a fascinating series of articles about the New Zealand contribution to the campaign in Macedonia:
I know I have some interesting material on Australians in the campaign, but that’s for another day!
Happy New Year – Year of the Dog, that is!
The new Chinese Year of the Dog seems to have caused quite a lot of interest, so I don’t see why we should be left out and I know exactly the photo to use …
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1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in Salonika
If you look though our order of battle of the British Salonika Force you will not find any mention of the Northamptonshire Regiment. This being the case, I was puzzled to receive an enquiry from Simon Gale who has documentary evidence that his great-grandfather, of 1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, had been in Salonika. Continue reading “1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment in Salonika”
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 