Baku 1918 (Dunsterforce and the Race for Oil in World War I)

A highly illustrated look at the desperate race for resources between Britain, Germany, Turkey, Russia and local forces in Azerbaijan.

Against the background of the Armenian–Azerbaijan war, the Russian Revolution, the Ottoman invasion of Armenia and World War I, Baku suddenly found itself at the centre of a geopolitical minefield. After signing a treaty with Germany, Russia's withdrawal from the war left Germany and Turkey with access to the oilfields at Baku. Extremely critical to keeping the war machine moving, oil was a precious commodity. Worried about Germany and the Ottomans having access to the oilfields, Britain assembled a multinational force under Major General Dunsterville, called Dunsterforce, and they set off to Baku to stop the Turkish advance.

Weakening relationships between Germany and Turkey saw both countries trying to keep the other out, while also fighting off the British forces, the Bolsheviks, and the White Russians. The rise of Bolshevism in the area, supported by the Jangalis, was a concern to Britain as well, who worried it might spread towards their interests in central Asia and India. With stunning artwork, detailed maps and period images, this book dives into the highly political campaign to secure oil in Baku in 1918 and explores the long-reaching consequences of involvement in that area.