A MOONLIGHT BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2479, 4 June 1915, Page 6

A MOONLIGHT BATTLE

COLONIALS' SUCCESS IN GALLIPOLI THE FiGIIT FOR QUINN'S POST A report lias been received from Sir lan Hamilton by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. James Allen), which elaborates somewhat the action at Quinn's Post, reported in the cablegrams a day or two ago. The report was in code and has been slightly mutilated. Tho report is as follows; — "May 27.—At one crucial spot, called Quinn's Post, on the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' right centre, is a precipitous drop of two hundred feet. From the listening gallery here the enemy's sappers were detected working nearly under the Post. Australian mining experts recognised the precise moment that tamping was in progress and then exploded a counter mine, with, it is believed, good results. "Simultaneous attacks were made on the Turkish trenches facing our right flank, one thousand yards north of Gaba. Tepe, on the left flank of the trenches opposite to our most northern post. In both cases the attacks wero successful and tho trenches wore taken, but only the latter was permanently held by us. At 3.30 a.m. the enemy exploded a mine under Quinn's Post, and then attacked and took a portion of the Post, which had been isolated by the explosion. Deadly Cun Fire. "May 29. —The action of yesterday was at tho same time more serious and more successful than was then realised. After blowing in Quinn's Post Turks effected a lodgment. . . . When the firing lino was retaken with the bayonets the Turks in support of the trenches surrendered. During the hand-to-liand fighting .heavy columns of the enemy advanced to mako good their local success. Visible in the bright moonlight to our gunners, these v.'ere able to bring a cross-fire at accurate and known ranges, the consequence being that the Turks got demoralisel and their second line of bombthrowers Hung their missiles into the first line. Our casualties were just, over three hundred, and the enemy casualties between fifteen hundred and two thousand. May 31.—Close fighting during tho past twenty-four hours at right centre and at the extremity north of tho position. In front of Quinn's Post two enemy's saps were rushed with the intention of filling them in, but the heavy bombing checked the work, and on'o party had to fall back. the other party still holding on betwonn our firing lino and the enemy's. 'litis fight necessitated considerable artillery support, the enemy replying vigorously, regardless of expense. The outpost raptured on May 2D on the left flank had to bo evacuated on account of the increasing losses. During this fighting the encmv has lost heavily."