LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2495, 23 June 1915, Page 8

LETTERS FROM THE FRONT

HAWKE'S BAY MEN IN A TIGHT CORNER OTANE MAN'S STORY Tho following thrilling narrative is told by Private Charles Crispin in a letters to a friend at Otane. It is all tho more attractive and interesting in that it is original and bright and in bis own expressive language tho writer conveys a very clear conception of what the soldiers' life is on the fircswept hills of Gallipoli. Kasrnol Army Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, May 7. What do you think of the bhoys now, or to be more to tho point, what's left of the bhoys? Oh no, this isn't any picnic. Never mind; there were great rejoicings in Australia and New Zealand when they heard about our boys at the Dardanelles. I will just tell you how wo took what we had long asked for. We left Alexandria on an old Gorman tub, a prize named the Achaia, of 3000 tons, and drawing about eight feet of water. There was no proper accommodation for troops and we slept on the iron floor in the hold. As Fato would have it we struck rough weather, and it's only a shame how we rolled. Nearly everyone was sick. I have never seen anything like it bofore, but once more "your humble" de- | fied wind and rough sens and sto ten men's rations (bully beef and biscuits). On board I was appointed to a staff position—sweeping the decks etc., but though it may not sound like a position of honour, there was no drill attached, and that was good enough for me. I always was fond of drill. Tho fourth day out we reached Lemnos. At noon on Sunday, April 25, we passed the Point of Gallipoli, and there we were presented with the wonderful sight of battleships—British and French— subjecting the Turkish positions to a terrific bombardment, while British troops were landing under their covering fire. It was great Sunday sport. And we saw "Lizzio" in action. We were taken farther up the peninsula, and at 2.30 in the afternoon we anchored in a small bay, from the shores of which rises a ridge, the highest point being 900 feet. Here more warships wore bombarding, .and wo saw them silenco some small forts. New Zealanders Land. The Australians had forced a lauding and were lighting hard. They wero holding tho first small ridge. In the evening all the New Zealand troops, except the Wellington Regiment, wero on shore in action. We were to be in reserve and did not go ashore until the following morning, when in the darkuess just before dawn a destroyer hovo alongside and we were taken oft. Onco on snore we set about- digging ourselves in to protect ourselves from shrapnel fire. We had an easy time. The shrapnel was bursting over us continually, but wo were safo in our dugputs, and what's more, from tho side of the hill wo had a glorious view of the bay, full of transports and men-o'-war, also the "Queen Lizzie," which had como up. All day long—and thtt day was a perfect one—the warship* bombarded tho Turkish positions until we were almost deaf, while the "Q„E." was engaging herself with Kalid Bahr, at the Narrows, by indirect fire, and at a range of 12 miles. All her firo was directed by seaplanes hovering overhead. Altogether it was a wonderful experience for us—an experience that the soldiers in franco and maiiy others would like to go through, Whoncvcr the Q.E. fired directly over ns, the report was simply terrific. It shook tho wholo hillside, while we ourselves felt as -though our heads were being blown off. Altogether, Monday, tho 26th, was an interesting day.

By the way, we got to know how the Australins were received. It appears that about 6 a.m. on the Sunday boatloads of them were rowed ashore. As soon ae they were off the transports the Turks opened fire, for although the warships had been sweeping the hillside for hours previously the enemy were in strong force. Many Australians were shot dead and others woto put out of action while still in deep water. Fixing bayonets in the boats the survivors jumped overboard in a fow feet of water and many swam the remaining few yards. Then' with a yell they went for tlio. Turks, who were right at the water's edge. In fifteen minutes the Australians had cleared the hill and taken the first line of trenches. All this time the Turks were sweeping the place with shrapnel, while the boys hadn't got any guns to back them up, the Navy not being able to fire for fear of killing our own men, and there was no field' artillery.

Needless to 6ay the Australians' losses wero terrible. We saw them almost in rags and tatters. Who could help but admire them P • The fighting was hot all Sunday, and during the night, but it slackened somewhat on the Monday, except for the bombardment by the fleet. Monday night was a very quiet fne and we in reserve slept peacefully. Tuesday, April 27, up at 5 a.m., we went down to the beach for a wash, shrapnel still bursting, but we "cracked the old soldier," and took no notice—we were really shivering with fear. _ After breakfast we "fell in" and awaited orders. It was a more perfect day than Monday. The sea was like a pond; blue skies overhoad and bright _ sunshine. At 10 a.m. we were issued with more rations. Wo made our haversacks hold a four-days' supply.

At 11 a.m. we moved away to relieve the Canterbury men on the left flank. The day was getting hot, so we were allowed to shed our packs at the foot of the hill, and then we bad to got up It the double as the Turks were pressing and were only 300 yards away from our trenches. At the top we were given a spell and then the order: "Fix bayonets!"—Oh Hell! I wondered what would have thought of it. Well, wo had to charge through the scrub and this we did, and cleared 300 yards. The country is covered with thick scrub, and it is impossible to see more than 15 yards in front of oneself. Satisfying oursolves that tho Turks had retired a bit, we got tlie order to dig oursolves in and prepare for the night. First of all we had a biscuit as lunch. Then we set to and though the day was extremely hot, none complained, and we got on wall with tho trench. However, at 3.30. we got the order to advance and after all that useless digging, once more with bayonets fixed, we advanced as fast as' our legs could cary us, but once again the Turks wore faster than wo — no ); once have thoy stood to the bayonet. 'Jliis tirno wo advanced 600 yards, and gotting into somo'kind of a line wo got down in the scrub. Our platoon was on the left of the company, and llawko's Bay boing on tho flank, wo were at the end of tho line—a place I never did like. From onr position wo could not seo any of the enemy, but we fired all the same, and rapidly too. When trying to get in touch with the rieht we were politely told that, tliev had been blown out, and then wo realised that we wore not the only side in this scrap. Tliero were only forty of us left at our end, and tho two officers decided to hang on. _ The Turks wero pouring a hot fire into us, the bullets fairly whizzing through tho scrub, while our men were also being sniped from behind. Soon tho. Turks inriwl I'liu jihmiiiiel slid it was ] J-UCisis ftwv.ke'B ftuu' 1 - .wlulq aftl K,

our sorrows a few shells from the war-1 sliips dropped rhdrt. At 5 o'clock I stopped a bit of shrapnel, and when I looked down at the rip in my trousers I tluught my log must havo boon blown off, but I was very much relieved to find that it was still on, and that only a piece of flesh was missing—lucky boy. There were only a few men left, so our officers decidod to retire. I was told to ihrow all my gear away, as it would catch in the scrub, and then I orawlod back to the trenches. It doesn't sound much iu writing, but I little expected 1 would get there. Didn't the bullets ping? Not half! Crawl to tlie Beacli. After being bandaged up, I got down tho hill, and at the foot picked out my valise, as I had some shaving tackle, etc., I wanted. Tho packs lay just where we had left them five hours previously. Wo wero then a proud company ; how different now. At tho dressing station I was told to get into a boat, and then wo were conveyed to a transport out in che bay, where we arrived some time about 10 p.m. All the time shrapnel was bursting until w« got woll away from the shore. It's a long, long lane that- hasn't got a turning, but all the samo I never saw a real, live Turk. To sum the whole thing up: I spent Sunday on board, Monday in reserve, Tuesday noon went to the firing line, gained 600 yards, and slept out in tho bay at night, and how soundly, too, but I gave mors than a passing thought to some of the poor boys left up there for ever. We left the scene of operations . on the Thursday morning' (29 th), and that night 16 dead were buried at sea, Jour Hawko's Bay boys. We were nearly wiped out. Just consider, we go into action at noon, and that night 40 of us are on the same boat—goodness knows how many on other boats. Wo arrived in Alexandria at 7 on the Sunday morning, a quick trip. In the afternoon we left in Red Cross trains for this charming city, arriving iu tho above hospital at 8 p.m. Now we sit I and read about the fighting at Ga\tijjoli. I am glad to say the shrapnel miesed by kneecap. The wound is just above it on the left leg. Every day we have tho wounds dressed, mine with icdine, just fancy on an open wound. It doesn't half burn; I dread it. The doctor says it will be better in another week's time, t'hougli I don't t'liink so, because I could not walk a hundred yards on my leg .yet. We are fairly well off in the hospital—good food, plenty of cigarettes, which the European people of the city bring in. DISTRIBUTION OF CIFTS. By the last mail, a friend in Christchurch received a letter dated Cairo, April 17, from a member of the Wellington Mounted Regiment, who was reported last week to have been killed in action at the Dardanelles. The letter is interesting as showing the cheerful spirit of the young soldier, who was so soon to give his life for his country. The trooper wrote: —"Just a few lines to let you know that I am still well and in Egypt, I thought we would be out of here before now. It is altogether different to what I thought it would be. I thought we would get our training and then 'into it. 1 I think we will get out of here as soon as they get a landing in tho Dardanelles. I wish I had joined the infantry. "You said you were going to send me some socks. Don't do it; I can get all the socks I want. The letters sent from here about the hardships we go through, also about the food we get, and the complaints about not getting our mails regularly, as well as about gift stuff being sold in the canteens are all written by youths who should ncvor have loft their mothers' apronstrings. When gift stuff is distributed to 10,000 men thore is very little for eapli man —that is the whole trouble. We are getting os. a day and found in tho best of food and clothes. I think wo aro well enough paid. Let tho people of New Zealand give their gifts to the poor Belgians. Some write home about our officers. Personally, I think tho Now Zealand officers are a grand lot; there is no 'side' about them."

! A NEW ZfAI'ANDER AT HILL 80. FIVE MONTHS AT THE FRONT IN FLANDERS. Sergeant W. H. Whiter, of the King's Liverpool Regiment with the British Expeditionary Force in Flanders, writes as follows to his mother, Mrs. M. Winter, of Brooklands, Manakau: — "I expect you were surprised when wrote and told you I was over in France fighting for onr beloved King and country, which, thank God, I have the strength to do. I have been out hero live months now, and up to now I have escaped injury. We have lost a good number up to now out of our battalion since ire have been out here. . . '. Well, Mother, we have seen a bit since we have been out here, especially the cruel inothods the Germans are adopting in the present war. We were in the battle for Hill 60 —the noise and a more ghastly sight I never wish to see again. How our chaps (especially coming straight from offices) stood it I do not know. As soon as we got the word of command: "Stand by, and rapid fire!" the boys were top of the trenches, laying down as if there were not any Germans in front. When the Hill went up, and the Germans retired, those who were not blown to pieces wore mowed down by our Maxim and rifle fire. Very few of them got away. "The most pitiful sight I ever witnessed was the poor women and children flying from their homes with most of the household effects they could carry. They, did not know which way to go or where to go to, so we directed them, and comforted them as much as possible, and that is all we could do for. the poor souls. . . told me that they gave some cattle towards the Belgian Fund. Poor souls, tbfcy. deserve it. too. If ever a country suffered, Belgium has. What I have seen of it is terrible—the glorious buildings which have been brought to earth, and the women and poor children killed! It is too awful for words. We have been up in Belgium all the time. Ypres is in ruins now. Well, mother, lam living in hopes of, returning to England when everything is over, but one never knows what is going to happen."

Over a hundred men are waiting in the Wairarapa. district to join Reinforcements for the front (says our Masterton correspondent). The enlistment of reoruits is steadily proceeding. "Now, Gladys, get in off that gas-box, It's time all young girls were in bed; The nights are too cold for love nonsense, And you ha,vo a bad cold in your iead." "0 mamma, it's so warm in thia corner, There's no need to worry, I'm sure For Bertie's just brought me a bottle Of Woods' Great Peppermint Cure." —Advt.

Messrs. A. L. Wilson and Co. havo an eight-roomed house at Oriental Bay for sale. The house has a largo garden, and commands a splendid view of the bay. Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., luivo received instructions from the trustees in the estate of tho late Herbert Hodge to auction the sheep, cattle, horses and implements of the estate on the woolshed section, Te Horo, on Tuesday, June 29. Messrs. Dalgety and Co. hold a stock sale at Levin this afternoon. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co. announce a stock sale at Upper Hutt on Thursday.

MOTOR LORRIES AND PARCKL CARS. For immediate delivery, 1, 2, and 3ton "British" Motor Wagons, also f«mou9 "Wall" Parcel Cara, J. 1. FITZGERALD, Motor Importer,