Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University
Invited Lecturer
International Relations, Geopolitics
MA in History, PhD Candidate
Tbilisi, Georgia
nodiairakli@gmail.com
Abstract
The Battle of Sarikamish (December 1914–January 1915), fought on the Caucasus Front, was one of the most dramatic and tragic episodes of the First World War. The Ottoman offensive, led by Enver Pasha, while the Russian defensive forces were commanded by General Nikolai Yudenich, ended in a severe defeat and massive human losses.
The aim of this paper is to analyze the coverage of the Battle of Sarikamish in the British press, with particular emphasis on The Times, The Manchester Guardian, The Daily Telegraph, The Scotsman, and The Illustrated London News, and to assess these materials critically as discursive and politically mediated sources. Particular attention is paid to sources of information, mechanisms of transmission, bias, and propagandistic elements.
The study is based on an analysis of British press articles published in 1914–1915. The British press is considered not merely as a transmitter of information, but also as an instrument for constructing discourse, disseminating political narratives, and shaping public opinion. Accordingly, the press is examined simultaneously as a narrative source, an instrument of mass communication, and a component of wartime propaganda.
The research employs a historical-critical method involving content analysis, discourse analysis, identification of sources of information, and comparison with modern historiography. The analysis is guided by several fundamental questions: Who is writing? What sources are being used? What interests does the narrative serve? What is omitted? It should also be noted that the British press operated under conditions of military censorship, which had a significant impact on both the selection and interpretation of information.
From the outset, British newspapers portrayed the Battle of Sarikamish as a military success for the Russian Empire and a major Ottoman defeat. Several dominant themes can be identified.
The first is the narrative of Russian victory. Newspaper reports emphasized the successes achieved under the command of General Yudenich. Russia was presented as a stable and effective military power, with the British press repeatedly highlighting the “endurance” and “organization” of the Russian army.
The second major theme concerns the Ottoman defeat. The Ottoman campaign was portrayed as ambitious but inadequately prepared, logistically deficient, and poorly adapted to the severe climatic conditions. The operation was represented as one characterized by strategic miscalculations and culminating in a catastrophic retreat.
A third important theme is the narrative of German influence. British press reports repeatedly suggested that the operation reflected “German military thinking,” often referring to the wider military context associated with Otto Liman von Sanders. This interpretation served a broader political purpose by conveying a specific wartime message to the British public.