Alfred Rawlinson (1867–1934)

Officership, as described by Rawlinson in this book, is a long forgotten art. Rawlinson surely was one of the more colorful characters who penned his memoirs after the war (and in this case, after his captivity in less than auspicious circumstances after WWI ended.) This book is essentially 3 periods of time covered in three distinct sections within the book.
Section one covers Rawlinson's tour with Maj Gen Dunsterville in the British campaign through NW Persia, culiminating in Baku. If you have read Dunsterville's own book covering the same period, you will appreciate the additional narrative from one of Dunsterville's most important officers in the campaign.
Section two covers Rawlinson's time after the war serving in the intelligence corps in Anatolia and the Caucusus, monitoring Turkish compliance with disarmament. The anecdotes about his movements to and fro from one of these locations to another are a worthwhile read to better understand some of the conditions faced in that mountainous region.
Section three, picks up this thread and covers Rawlinson's eventual incarceration by the Turks in what was essentially a quid pro quo based on the British seizure of some Turkish officials.
Rawlinson surely distinguishes himself in captivity, looking after his men, and taking responsibility for their well-being as best he could.
What I found immensely interesting about Rawlinson's exploits, was his family connections, and how he was treated almost like a diplomat when he traversed from point to point (with the notable exception of his imprisonment.) The days of this type of officer are long gone, but Rawlinson surely paints a larger than life picture of the prototypical higher ranking officer of the period.
An excellent accounting of how a newly emerging Turkey flexed its muscles in the immediate area, based on the instability within Russia at the time, and based on a more limited British military presence in the area. A great read, and a worthwile accounting of a period of post-war history not covered to a large degree.… (más)