In this series, we are discussing the events of World War I that led to the partition of the Ottoman Empire.
This is episode 5-26: Influenza and Damascus.
Before we get into the episode, let’s do a brief recap of where we are so far:
- Following the revelation of the Zimmerman Telegram, the United States declares war on Germany on April 2, 1917.
- In March 1918, Russia signs a peace treaty with the Central powers.
- A few weeks later, Germany transfers millions of soldiers to the western front and launches its Spring Offensive.
- Meanwhile in the Middle East, the Ottomans continue to lose ground against the British.
- Despite losing Palestine, the Ottomans defeat two British attacks on Amman in Transjordan.
And with that, let’s begin our discussion of the Fall of Damascus.
A Typhoid Epidemic
In December 1914, Enver Pasha led a force of nearly 100,000 Ottoman troops into the Caucasus region to face the Russians.
Both German and Ottoman officers advised against this plan. They warned Enver that his troops were not prepared for winter warfare. Furthermore, they added, the Russian position at Sarakamish was well-defended and not strategically vital.
Enver Pasha ignored their advice and went ahead with his plans. A month later, the Ottomans retreated from Sarakamish having lost nearly eighty percent of their men.