Beneath a Turkish Sky ― The Royal Dublin Fusiliers and the Assault on Gallipoli

It was World War I’s largest seaborne invasion, and the Irish were at the forefront. Recruited in Ireland, the Royal Dublin Fusiliers were ordered to spearhead the invasion of Gallipoli in Turkey. Deadlocked in trench warfare on the Western Front, the British High Command hoped the assault would knock Germany’s ally out of the war. Using letters and photographs, this book tells the story of the "Dubs" officers and men as they set off on what was presented as a great adventure to win glory and capture Constantinople. Accompanied by the Royal Munster Fusiliers, packed aboard the SS River Clyde, the "Dubs" landed from ships’ boats on the fiercely defended beach at Sedd-el-Bahr and were met by a hail of bullets. The songThe Foggy Dew says, "It were better to die beneath an Irish sky than at Suvla or Sedd-el-Bahr." This book tells the story of the forgotten Irishmen who died beneath a Turkish sky in what was Ireland’s D-Day.

Philip Lecane is an author, historian, and committee member of The Royal Dublin Fusiliers Association. He has appeared many times on national radio discussing aspects of Irish military history.