LIVING LIKE RABBITS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2503, 2 July 1915, Page 6

LIVING LIKE RABBITS

UNDER A HAIL OF SHRAPNEL LETTER FROM A DUG-OUT As showing the slow rate of progress tnado by the British and colonial troops against the solidly entrenched Turkish troops at Gallipoli, a passage in a letter received in Wellington casts some light. The first section of Australian and New Zealand troops landed before daylight on April 25. Tho letter tells the rest. "I first left the troopship after luncheon on April 30 (five days after the first landing), and was naturally much excited, and as soon as the order came packed all I required in feverish haste. Wo came ashore in a naval pinnace, and although there was a good deal of rifle tire splashing in the water all round, there was no shrapnel. Lately tho shrapnel fire has been pretty deadly, and wo were very fortunate in getting safelv ashore. As soon as we got ashore we had to turn to and dig a hole in the side of the hill in which to sleep. It was a scorching hot day— every day since the landing has been glorious—and hard pick-aud-shovel work was no child's play, but here you "have to got out and get under," or "go under," so we burrowed in like our own native rabbits, with the perspiration dripping off us and shots and shrapnel whizzing over our heads. The headquarters' office is situated in a gully facing the sea. on the side of the hill we captured 011 the 25th of last month. Bpth sides of the gully are punctured with dug-outs, and offices have been built of sacks filled with sand. Two other gullies further north are occupied by the headquarters 6taffs of the other divisions, and the same burrows are to be seen everywhere. "On May ] the shrapnel fire was so hot and nasty 'thtrt we lay in our dngout with the shells bursting over our heads, One lump of shrapnel spurted into our burrow, and cut tho blanket I was lying on. I have it as a memento of the gross impertinence of shrapnel. "Fairly Quiet." "The fire lias now slackened considerably, but the other night there was an attack, and our warships gave the enemy a terrible shelling. We have had very little shrapnel lire lately, and but for an occasional shot from our and the rifle tire things are fairly quiet. "Some'of the enemy warships in the Sea of Marmora have been shelling us right over here. One of them hit one of our colliers the other day. This is some fight!" Beach Still Raked by Enemy's Fire. "May 10. "Still alive and kicking, despite the shrapnel which, has for the past few days been coming down with a vengeance. For three successive afternoons the enemy has found it convenient to drop shrapnel on the beach. This clears the beac'h quick enough, but not always quite quick enough. lam still living in my little dug-out in the side of the cliff. It is now quite comfortable, and taking one consideration with another, our lot is quite satisfactory. For breakfast we have bacon, tea, and biscuits, as well as jam. For dinner (midday) we have a sort of hash made of bully-beef, potatoes, onions, and any other vegetables that stray our way. .It's quite appetising. This with tea, ol course. The evening meal consists of tea and biscuits and jam. 1 hail to stop my afternoon swim, as the Turks developed a habit.of shelling tho beach about 4 o'clock. «>We are becoming quite proficient in the art of dodging shrapnel pellets. .My chief. Colonel Lessbie, who has worked hard ever since the landing, and seems to have a charmed life. Ho has not been hit once, though he is always about when the shrapnel is flying." Matters Progressing Encouragingly. "May 14. "Tom Rae has been unfortunate. Ho worked 011 with his bad arm until he injured it further, and now he has been invalided to England, where he is going to remain until he gets better, when he will return to New Zealand. . . . Things are ijuieter now, and elsewhere on the peninsula matters are going on encouragingly, and I don't think it will be long before we attain our objective.'' Sergeant O'Carrol Smith, son of Mr. Henry Smith, Chilton House, . Wellington, writes from Gallipoli, wliere he is serving with the 3rd Brigade, Ist Australian Force, that he was in the final landing party on April 25, and says that for four daj's they fought without cessation, but that they are now settled down to trench warfare, and are splendidly fed and. looked after.