Lecture dedicated to military unit known in history as 'Dunsterforce'

The lecture was organized in the Parliament of the United Kingdom at the initiative of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society. It was dedicated to the participation of the unit known in history as the 'Dunsterforce', in various military operations in the South Caucasus and in Baku. The co-chairs of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society from Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva and Lord Herman, warmly welcomed the guests gathered in the hall. The lecture was attended by members of the executive committee of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society, well-known scientists and public figures of the United Kingdom and Azerbaijan.

Opening the event, the co-chairman of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society, Lord Herman, addressed the people of Azerbaijan: "We are both members of the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society, which is deeply concerned about the recent events, including the injuries of innocent people, human casualties and destruction that took place in the zone of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. We are looking forward to an early resolution of the conflict and the Azerbaijani people living in peace and safety."

Lord Herman also noted the important role of the 'Dunsterforce' unit in military operations in the South Caucasus, particularly in Baku.

British historian and lawyer Alum Bati delivered a lecture at the event. He received his education in law and history at various universities in the UK. Alum Bati is the author of numerous books and scientific papers in this field. He is the author of an article '1918: Azerbaijan in the War', published in the magazine 'Visions of Azerbaijan'. Bati served as general secretary of the British Business Group in Azerbaijan, he was an honorary adviser to four British ambassadors to Azerbaijan on issues of law. Bati is the only foreigner working in the Parliamentary Commission of Azerbaijan.

Alum Bati informed the audience about the history of the 'Dunsterforce', using archival materials, photographs and videos. The military unit was named after British general Charles Lionel Dunsterville in 1917. According to General Dunsterville's memoirs the detachment was known as the 'Dunsterforce'. Bati paid special attention to the military operations of General Dunsterville in Baku.

Major General Lionel Charles Dunsterville (1865-1946) was born in London and he considered himself to be a British Columbus in the South Caucasus. He received an elementary education at the Devon school where soldiers of the British army were trained.

The control over the Don basin, the Caucasus and Turkestan was of great military, political and economic importance and strategic plans for the UK government. It was the reason why Colonel Dunsterville was here. The situation after the fall of tsarist Russia posed new military-political challenges for the United Kingdom in the name of protecting the interests of the empire and its colonies. Dunsterville was to monitor the ports of Anzali and Baku, the west coast of the Caspian Sea, and in Tiflis he intended to establish a connection with the forces that wanted to cooperate with the allied states. In early January he received the rank of Major General and he was entrusted to establish the famous elite military unit 'Dunsterforce'. 

The formation of the military unit began in Baghdad and it was continued in Iran. At the time of his arrival in Baku the total number of the 'Dunsterforce' was about 1000 officers and soldiers.

The first historian of the 'Dunsterforce' was the English general himself. From 1911 he kept a extensive diary. In 1920 Dunsterville published a book in London 'The Adventures of the Dunsterforce'. The book was written based on the current notes, collected numerous documents and other materials. 
General Dunsterville wrote in his diary after a tense meeting in the Revolutionary Committee: "The city is in the hands of the Bolshevik government. As soon as they heard about our arrival they ordered us to be detained at any cost."

As a result of consultations with Baghdad and London, the General was ordered to stay in Hamadan and monitor all the activities of Iran and the presence of the slightest opportunity to advance towards the South Caucasus. The main aim was a British presence and the protection of the British imperialist interests in the region by all means and ways.

The services of Russian officers were in demand, especially those who had served in the Caucasian Army during the formation of the 'Dunsterforce'. Graduates of the Baku school of aviators were among General Dunsterville's recruits.

General Dunsterville's last place of service was Baku. A Russian officer of English origin Captain Bruijn was in Baku. Finally, Dunsterville spoke the Russian language. It was clear according to his books and notes that knowledge of the Russian language helped to establish an effective dialogue in Baku without intermediaries. It also helped the general to be always informed about all events.

On  September 17th the government of the Republic of Azerbaijan arrived in Baku from the temporary capital of Ganja. The speaker informed the audience that Baku was in the hands of the Bolsheviks and the Armenian Shahumyan. Therefore, there were huge casualties among the local civilian population. The liberation of Baku made a huge contribution to our national statehood. It is the brightest page of Azerbaijani history of the 20th century, written with the blood of Azerbaijani and Turkish soldiers.

The 'Dunsterforce' was unable to fulfill its main task – to ensure British control of Baku.

On September 16th Dunsterville received a telegram about his return to Baghdad. 

The 'Dunsterforce' was disbanded on September 22nd 1918 according to the decision of the Ministry of War. The personnel of the division was sent to serve in various military units.

After an interesting lecture they answered numerous participants' questions.

At the end of the event the co-chairs the Anglo-Azerbaijani Society from Azerbaijan and the United Kingdom, Professor Nargiz Pashayeva and Lord Herman, thanked the speakers for the interesting and informative lecture.