EVACUATION OF ANZAC AND SUVLA BAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2650, 22 December 1915, Page 5

EVACUATION OF ANZAC AND SUVLA BAY

SKILFUL WITHDRAWAL TURKS KEPT IN COMPLETE IGNORANCE OF THE MOVEMENT / By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, December 20. The War Office announces that all the troops at. Suvla and Anzac, with their guns and stores,, havo'been transferred," with insignificant casualties. New York, December 20. A Reutor message from London states I "Official.— I The British troops at the Suvla and Anzac districts on Gallipoli have been withdrawn .to another sphere of operations." OPERATIONS ON OTHER PARTS OF THE LINE TO'BE CONv TINUED. ; London, December 20, 9.5 p.m. The High Commissioner reports:— • > From'the Dardanelles further details have been received of the evacuation of Anzao and Suvla.' Without the Turks being aware of the movement, a great army was withdrawn from the area occupied on the Gallipoli Peninsula, though in the closest contact with the enemy. By this contraction of front, operations in other parts of the line will bo more effectively carriea out. Major-General Sir Charles Monro gives great credit'for the skilful transfer of the forces to the Generals commanding and to the Royal Navy. IN CONFORMITY WITH THE PLAN OF THE ALLIES. (Rec. December 21, 9.35 p.m.) 1 Paris, December 21. Official: "The British, in conformity iyith the Allied plan, have withdrawn from Suvla Bay, whose strategic value had diminished by the new development .in the East. "The embarkation was carried out in the best- condition, and the troops were unmolosted by the Turks. STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. '' ... London, December 20. In the House of Commons, Mr. Asquith said the troops bad been successfully transferred in pursuance of the decision of the Cabinet made some time ago. ' ■ >. The operations reflected the utmost credit on Admiral de Roebeck, tho staff, and all ranks. '' THE MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY, . His Excellency the Governor yesterday received tho following message from His Majesty's Secretary of State, dated London, December 20: — "In order that they may take part in other operations, all troops hare been transferred fom Suvla and Anzac. . "The transfer was effected without loss of personnel or material." .. ABANDONMENT CREATES A SENSATION IN LONDON SERVICES OF AUSTRALIANS' AND NEW ZEALANDERS EULOGISED, London, December 20. The abandonment of Anzac and Suvla is the sensation of the day. The newspapers were hurriedly bought up as the newsboys with placards dashed into tho streets,' and later editions were in equal demand, in the hope of details beyond the bald War Office announcement. There is much speculations whether the withdrawal is the prelude to the complete evacuation of Gallipoli, and also whether the Anzacs mil be given a, temporary rest in protecting the Canal, or will be transferred to Salonika forthwith. . The newspapers are unanimous the services of the Australians and New Zealanders, and are printing vivid stories of their doings, reproducing diaries of the principal events on Gallipoli, and photographs of the Generals. ' . Experts generally state that the_ withdrawal from Suvla Bay was the only course after the surprise and the initial attack failed. Some newspapers express the opinion that Sir lan Hamilton reported to this effect, and that Lord Kjchener crniie to the same conclusion. The "Star" comments: "So ends t.he enterprise on .which the highest hopes were built. The troops were always within a few miles of victory. The final cause of their failure was their inability at, Suvla to fulfil their contract with Australians and Now Zealanders advancing from Anzac. "The Australians alone lost 25.000 men at Gallipoli; the movement, however, immobilised quarter of a million Turks." THE "ANZACS" HAVE WON IMMORTAL FAME. London, December 20. The ."Evening News" says:— 1 "Tho evacuation of Anzac is one of the sensations of the war. While itdoes not indicate a complete withdrawal, it proves that' the offensive which lias cost 200,000 casualties is ended. "It is a relief to know that the calculations of the experts regarding the probable losses during the retirement were not-fulfilled. * "The 'Anzacs' have won immortal fame by fighting liko demons against the best defensive troops in the world. When their ammunition was. exhausted they followed up the enemy with stones and fists. "During the Suvla Bay landing the "Anzacs.' by another glorious attack', gained the crest of Sari Bair. It was not their fault that the rest of the attack was a painful setback. AVhat lias happened since the Suvla landing is not known to tho public." ■■ SCENES' OF THE MOST BRILLIANT GALLANTRY. London, Decemher 20. The "Evening Standard" congratulates Sir Charles Monro on the success nf the withdrawal which tbrcato.iiufl to bo » VWWionl action tvitfe ti'flgio po|s» 1 sibilities, The operation required miiitsry. skill of a high order,

The "'Pall Mall Gazette" says: "Tho insignificant casualties is particularly welcome news since the operation of re-embarking troops under lire from apowerful and well-posted enemy was one of much difficulty, and which was widely believed must bo attended with tho heaviest losses. The abandonment of hard-won positions cannot fail to arouse painful emotions, as Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay were the scenes of the most brilliant gallantry on the part of British, Australian, New Zealand, and Indian forces, which will bo linked to memories which will always bo sacred in the annals of British warfare." WITHDRAWAL WILL RELIEVE THE FLEET AND MERCANTILE SERVICE. (Roc. December 21, 8.5 p.m.) London, December 20. The "Pall Mall Gazette's" naval expert says the withdrawal will relieve tho Fleet and the mercantile service of a heavy strain. There have been too many small expeditions. The position at Seddul Baluis protected by-a double lino of ships, and it may be assumed that the position will be held, otherwiso its evacuation would have preceded that of Anzac. The "Globe" says: '.'Oil sentimental considerations the withdrawal Anzac will be received with regret,, but sentiment does not count in war. There have been changed situations since the participation of the Bulgars, which has resulted in a new situation being created which necessitates the withdrawal from Turkish soi', which has been hallowed by the blood of so many of our Empire's sons." The "Daily Chronicle" says: "The withdrawal is a most sore wrench for the Australians and New Zealanders, whose heroism has made Anzac immortal, yet few of them but feels that it is truer loyalty to withdraw'and fight elsewhere than display an obstinate valour in a hopeless position. The wisdom of the original landing at Anzac is doubtful, as it drew off men badly needed at the other eiul of the Peninsula, and was the most difficult and most costly position to hold, but.it was not the fault of tho Anzac men that the movement failed. The fatal slowness of tlie Suvla Bay commander ruined the whole plan." A WONDERFUL ORGANISING FEAT. (Rec. December 21, 9.35 p.m.) London, December 21. "The Times" says: "The ease with -which the withdrawal was, effected will bring intense relief. It was a wonderful organising feat, which will be found to be as extraordinary as the heroic landing. Tho immortal 29th Division and the glorious Australian and New Zealand Army Corps share the chief honours of some of the noblest and most tragical pages of tho British Empire's history. The Australian and New Zealand courageous dead lie on the abandoned cliffs, but their memory will never fade." Other newspapers emphasise the relief felt, and praise the brilliant achievement of withdrawing scathlessly. ADVERSE COMMENT OF THE WITHDRAWAL DEPRECATED "UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE PROPER THING HAS BEEN DONE." Interviewed by a Dominion reporter yesterday on the subject of the_ withdrawal of the Allies' troops from Anzac and Suvla Bay, the Prime' Minister (the Right Hon. Mr. Massey). said:— "Tho telegram is not quite so explicit as wo should like, but most people will agree that under tho circumstances the proper thiug has' been done. It may. bo that mistakes havo been made,' but it is better to face the position and be done with it for tho time being than go on with what is commonly believed to have been ah error of judgment. It is a matter for sincere congratulation that the transfer has been effected without loss of - life.

"I trust this will not bo made an occasion for a repetition of, the bitter criticism and display of personal political animosity of which wo have had far too much during the present conflict. I do not suppose anything has encouraged the enemy so much as the idea which has been allowed to go forward tliat the BritisTi people were seriously divided in their opinions witli regard to the conduct of the war. Whatever mistakes, or whatever our domestic differences may he, they can stand over until tha end of the war, but let us present a united front to the enemy, and let the world sco that every mistake and every reverse only increases our determination to see tlio _war through to a conclusion which will be satisfactory, to Britain and her Allies."

SIR lAN HAMILTON'S REPORT ON THE SUVLA BAY OPERATIONS. •, London, December 20. Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. H. J. 'Pennant (Under-Secretary for War) said that Sir lan Hamilton's report oil the Suvla Bay operations had •liqcii received, and the Government was considering it. Thero would be no avoidable delay in its publication. > TURKEY URGED TO DRIVE THE ALLIES FROM THE DARDANELLES. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, December 20. The "Petit Journal" says it is reported from Constantinople that Germany has advised Turkey, to undertake an offensive in order to drive off the Allies from the Dardanelles. Important German forces.are shortly arriving at Constantinople. Tho "Journal" adds: The offensive so far has not shaken the Allies' position. ' 1 v.'""