Publisher's Synopsis
This documented historical narrative covers global military conflicts stretching from the shores of the Gallipoli Peninsula in the European part of the Ottoman Empire to a small town in the Australian desert. The novel presents a challenging and thought-provoking story that is based on a revised slice of history. It realistically reinterprets the background of a bloody political incident that occurred in Broken Hill on New Year's day 1915.On New Year's Day of 1915, a bloody terrorist attack took place in the Australian town of Broken Hill. The Australian newspapers reported that two armed Turks had attacked a picnic train and murdered innocent civilians. This tragic event bolstered the Australian government's recruitment effort, which had been having difficulty drawing a sufficient number of volunteers for the Great War. Soon after the Broken Hill attack, thousands of Australian and New Zealand volunteers joined the ANZAC forces with a burning desire to punish the Turks. It eventually became apparent that not a single Turk had been involved in the Broken Hill massacre. The suspects, originally from Afghanistan, had been killed immediately after the incident and buried in secret before dawn. All evidence of their innocence was promptly destroyed. Thus, the truth behind this bloody incident was hidden nearly for a century. What really happened in the tragic terrorist attack on Broken Hill in 1915? In his gripping new historical novel "A Prelude to Gallipoli," Omer Ertur pulls back the curtain on the little-known Broken Hill massacre and its explosive impact on Australia's involvement in the Great War. Ertur brings readers into the desert mining town of Broken Hill just as the Great War is breaking out. We meet a compelling cast of characters, including a light-horseman bent on avenging his friend's death and the two mysterious Afghan attackers. Vivid descriptions transport us to the Australian outback as the town becomes engulfed in terror. Delving into historical records, Ertur uncovers a shocking government cover-up. The attack initially blamed on Turks was actually carried out by local Hindus. Ertur reveals how officials manipulated the tragedy to fuel anti-Turkish sentiment and propel Australia into Gallipoli. Beyond the cover-up, Ertur draws parallels between state-sponsored terrorism in 1915 and global terrorism today. He explores how the Broken Hill incident shaped Australian identity and boosted military recruitment overnight. Meticulously researched yet gripping as a thriller, "A Prelude to Gallipoli" sheds new light on a forgotten piece of Australian history. It's a must-read for fans of narrative history and anyone interested in the complex roots of terrorism and nationalism. This historical investigation adds depth and intrigue to the narrative, making it informative and engaging. The book delves into the impact of the Broken Hill massacre on Australian nationalism, highlighting the efforts to spin the incident and stir up hatred towards the Turks. It explores the historical context and examines the incidents influence on Australian identity and the war effort. The author provides vivid descriptions of Broken Hill, a unique desert urban settlement in Australia. Through these descriptions, readers can visualize the town and its surroundings, enhancing their understanding of the setting and immersing them in the story. The book draws parallels between the state-sponsored terrorism of the early 20th century and contemporary global terrorism. By examining the impact of the incident on recruitment for the Great War and subsequent military campaigns, it prompts readers to reflect on the ongoing relevance of these themes in today's world. By uncovering this hidden history, the book offers readers a fresh perspective on the events of the time.