Instead of Galipoli, Antioch

  • Thread starter Deleted member 1487
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Deleted member 1487

Let's have an intellectual exercise. For whatever reason, the British do no invade the Galipoli peninsula; instead they land near Antioch and attempt to push inland to Gaziantep, Turkey's 6th largest city. This invasion point is near Cyprus and would have a secure supply line and the birthplace on Enver Pasha, Adana, is located nearby. Would an invasion there work any better than at Galipoli. I can imagine the reasons for wanting to attack there, including attempting to cut off supply to the Arab regions and further attacks on Suez. This was actually suggested and I am trying to determine if it would have been better for the Entente or even the Turks. Thoughts?
 
The campaign against the Turks was going well on every front, taking Galipoli and ultimatly Constantinople was the logical place to go. It opens up supply lines to Russia, knocks the Ottomans out of the war (likely bringing Balkan nations in on the allied side) and frees up troops. However attacking on a new Syrian front poses little advantage in terms of potential gain from what I can see
 
Kitchener actually considered also an attack on Antioch. This attack could have had the effect of a complete paralysis for the Ottoman Empire, destroying its internal supply lines. But it was not enough to knock out the enemy. The Dardanelles were a more attractive perspective. If you cross Dardanelles you can reach Costantinople, knock out the enemy, open a life line for Russia and open a new front in the Balkans against Austria-Hungary. Dardanelles operation was a great idea (probably the best plan of First Wolrd War), badly executed.
 
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Deleted member 1487

Alright, let's say that Bulgaria is in the war as of 1914, Serbia is out and supply lines between the CP's heavy hitters and the Ottomans is open and running. Regardless of the POD, would the invasion of Antioch then be more logical and perhaps the best option available for taking the fight to another front?
 
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