A WEEK'S HARD FIGHTING IN THE DARDANELLES "

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 2456, 8 May 1915, Page 5

A WEEK'S HARD FIGHTING IN THE DARDANELLES "

ATTACK ON NARROWS FORTS

AUSTRALIANS AND NEW 2EALANDERS PUSHING FORWARD

, London, May 6. ine Daily Chronicle s" correspondent was before Gallipoli on Sunday. He states that the most prominent featuro of tho events since his last message is the great damage done to the Narrows forts by the guns of the fleet and the artillery or the land forces;.

Maidos was still 011 fire 011 Friday afternoon, and the British battleship Qneen Elizabeth was getting most destructive allots .into Bokul lvalessi, opirasite Nagara, until tho place took lire. Fort Chaiiak was on fire at midday on. Saturday, and it was evident that the fleet had made considerable progreoa/ 'J'lie Australians and New Zealantferß are pushing on towards the coast opposite Na<*ara. Tlie pitter-patter of the maphine guns on the hills can bo clearly heard in ihe Aegean Sea. The battleships at the entrance to the Dardanelles late on Saturday, shelled positions inland to facilitate the pro gress of tho French at Kum Kale. Tho week's progress is amply satisfactory in every way.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT OF THE OPERATIONS

COLONIALS ILANDED AT POINT-BLANK RANGE

. _ ' London, May e. In the House of Commons, replying to Mr. Bonar Law, the Premier (Mr. Asquith) detailed tho landing of the Allied troops at the Dardanelles. The operations commenced at three important points simultaneously, on April 25, 111 the face of much opposition from entrenched infantry and artillery. By nightfall 29,000 had landed. The Indains were held iip for a whole day, but eventually succeeded by a fine attack 111 taking up a position enabling them to cover the disembarkation of tho remainder of tho forces. The landing of the Australians and New Zealanders was opposed by heavy fire at point-blank rango, but they carried tho position with a rush. The attack was pushed forward with the greatost dash. Tjie French landed on the Asiatic side and advanced with great gallantry, Tho whole landing was magnificently supported by the naval forces. The losses during the operations were heavy. The disembarkation was continued 011 April 26. Every attack was repulsed. The troops on April 27 were firmly established across the peninsula. The New zealanders and Austialians defeated every counter-attack. By May 2 tho position everywhere had been consolidated. In tho successful. performance of this difficult operation, in the face of determined opposition, the troops displayed unsurpassed courage and skill. The operations are uow being continually pressed on under lughly satisfactory conditions.

AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM CONSTANTINOPLE

(Rec. May 7, 6 p.m.)

. London, May 6. An official message from Constantinople states that the landing near Gaba Tepo on Tuesday morning failed.—("Times"- and Sydney "Sun" Services.) ' . '

IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION BRIDGE DESTROYED. i

(Rec. May 7, 6.50 p.m.)

. Athens, May 7. As the result of a British aviator destroying the bridge at Pandemia, communication between Smyrna and the Dardanelles is interrupted, and the transport of Turkish troops and supplies is hampered.

WOUNDED ARRIVING AT MALTA

SPLENDID HOSPITALS FOR THEIR RECEPTION,

. , . Malta, May 6Many of the wounded from tho Dardanelles have arrived here. Large hospitals, staffed by English nurses, under Sir Frederick Treves, the King's surgeon, have been established. Tho ladies of Malta are forming a Nursing Association. . Arrangements have been completed to accommodate 8000 wounded ■ men. sixteen hundred are coming from Egypt. General Sir Tan Hamilton's family lias donated £7000 to the hospitals and to the British Rod Gross £10,000.