Dear Jun9333,
Sir Ian Standish Monteith Hamilton (1853-1947) is mostly known for his
perceived failure in Gallipoli, during the First World Warm during his
service as commander in chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary
Force. His leadership skills are an issue of much historiographic
debate: on the validity of the claims against him, on the sources,
etc.
The most comprehensive biography on Hamilton was written by John Lee,
and is titled "A Soldier's Life General Sir Ian Hamilton 1853 - 1947"
(London: Macmillan, 2000). Naturally, this is a great source for
leadership analysis.
The biography at The Hamilton Web site,
<http://www.geocities.com/hamiltonweb2000/_private/SIR_IAN_SCOT.HTM>
also discussed his leadership patterns, and more accurately, the fact
that "when the British cabinet had begun to favour the evacuation of
his force, he inopportunely reiterated his belief in the ultimate
success of the campaign."
Analysis of the Dardanelles Commission report, as extracted in "A
Change to Plan", in John Dillon's "York and Lancaster Regiment"
<http://www.btinternet.com/~NavRadar/yorkandlancs/change_to_plan.html>
reveals several leadership faults: dogmatism, inability to be open to
others' ideas and complete rejection of opposing views;
apprehensiveness; and of course, underestimation of the enemy, despite
past experience and intelligence.
It criticises Hamilton's decision-making, but also that of others.
Regarding Hamilton's apprehensiveness and hesitation, it states: "As
regards Sir Ian Hamilton it is inevitable that the capabilities of a
commander in war should be judged by the results he achieves, even
though, if these results are disappointing, his failure may be due to
causes for which he is only partially responsible.
In April, 1915, Sir Ian Hamilton succeeded in landing his
troops at the places which he had chosen: but the operations that were
intended immediately to follow the landing were abruptly checked owing
to a miscalculation of the strength of the Turkish defences and the
fighting qualities of the Turkish troops. This rebuff should have
convinced Sir Ian Hamilton that the Turkish entrenchments were
skilfully disposed and well armed, and that naval gun fire was
ineffective against trenches and entanglements of the modern type. We
doubt, however, whether the failure of the operations sufficiently
impressed Sir Ian Hamilton and the military authorities at home with
the serious nature of the opposition likely to be encountered.
During May, June, and July severe fighting took place, but
its results were not commensurate with the efforts made and the losses
incurred.
During July a plan of combined operations was elaborated,
which was carried into effect early in August. Sir Ian Hamilton was
confident of success, but was again baffled by the obstinacy of the
Turkish resistance. Moreover, the failure of night advances in a
difficult and unexplored country, which formed part of the plan, led
to heavy casualties and temporarily disorganised the forces employed.
Sir Ian Hamilton was relieved of his command on October
15th.
We recognise Sir Ian Hamilton's personal gallantry and
energy, his sanguine disposition, and his determination to win at all
costs. We recognise also that the task entrusted to him was one of
extreme difficulty, the more so as the authorities at home at first
misconceived the nature and duration of the operations, and afterwards
were slow to realise that to drive the Turks out of their
entrenchments and occupy the heights commanding the Straits was a
formidable and hazardous enterprise which demanded a concentration of
force and effort. It must further be borne in mind that Lord
Kitchener, whom Sir Ian Hamilton appears to have regarded as a
Commander-in-Chief rather than as a Secretary of State, pressed upon
him the paramount importance, if it were by any means possible, of
carrying out the task assigned to him.
Though from time to time Sir Ian Hamilton represented the
need of drafts, reinforcements, guns and munitions, which the
Government found it impossible to supply, he was nevertheless always
ready to renew the struggle with the resources at his disposal, and to
the last was confident of success. For this it would be hard to blame
him; but viewing the Expedition in the light of events it would, in
our opinion, have been well had he examined the situation as disclosed
by the first landings in a more critical spirit, impartially weighed
the probabilities of success and failure, having regard to the
resources in men and material which could be placed at his disposal,
and submitted to the Secretary of State for War a comprehensive
statement of the arguments for and against a continuance of the
operations." (Dardanelles Commission report: conclusions PRO CAB 19/1,
Public Records Office,
<http://www.pro.gov.uk/pathways/firstworldwar/transcripts/battles/dardanelles.htm>).
Lee's more sympathetic biography points out, that Hamilton requested
personnel, which was different from the one provided by Kitchener ,
and that his leadership had actually positive affect (See: Gallipoli,
Imperial War Museum,
<http://www.iwm.org.uk/online/gallipoli/suvlagreen.htm>). Even the
Commission report mentions that his bids for aid were not answered
(ibid).
You could also find biographical details on Hamilton in the following
sites:
Michael Duffy, "Who's Who: Sir Ian Hamilton" FirstWorldWar.com
(Updated - Thursday, 27 December, 2001)
<http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/hamilton.htm> is a very good online
resource.
"Ian Hamilton", Spartacus,
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/FWWhamilton.htm - much shorter
biography. Another short biography could be found at "Hamilton,
General Sir Ian Hamilton (1853-1947)" (From: The Churchill Era: A
Brief Biography), <http://www.chu.cam.ac.uk/churchill_era/background/person.shtml?Ian%20Hamilton>
"Hamilton, Sir Ian" Encyclopędia Britannica from Encyclopędia
Britannica Premium Service.
<http://search.britannica.com/eb/article?eu=39842>
[Accessed August 20, 2003]. - Requires online subscription/trail.
See also an interesting discussion in World War One discussion list,
at the University of Kansas servers, "Article on Gallipoli"
<http://www.ku.edu/carrie/archives/wwi-l/2002/04/msg00204.html>
I hope that answered your question. In order to answer this question,
I searched the Internet for Hamilton's name. If you need any
clarifications on this answer, please let me know before you rate/tip
it and I'd be pleased to clarify. |
