FORGING THE DAR DANELLES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3976, 8 July 1915, Page 5

FORGING THE DAR DANELLES.

■ ■ \ SUPER-HUMAN DIFFICULTIES OVERCOME. SIR lAN HAMILTON’S REPORT. A SPLENDID RECORD OF DESPERATE GALLANTRY. HOW OUR BOYS MADE GOOD THEIR FOOTHOLD. • ... . L n hi tJ~ jUj .VALUABLE ASSISTANCE OF THE NAVY.

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) LONDON, July 6

Sir lan Hamilton’s despatch dealing- with the earlier operations at the Dardanelles continues: We made a bold effort on the nig-lit of May 2 to seize a commanding- knoll in the front of the centre line, but the enemy’s enfilading- machine g'unf? were too scientifically posted. Nine hundred men were lost without advantage beyond inflicting a corresponding loss to the enemy. An attempt on the 4th to seize Gaba Tepe was also ,_imsuccessful, the barbed wire being something beyond belief, but a number of minor operations were carried out 3 such as the taking of a Turkish observing station, strengthening entrenchments, re-organising units, perfecting communication with landingplaces, also a constant strain was placed on some of the best of the enemy troops, numbering- 24,000, who were constantly kept fighting, being killed and wounded freely. The Turkish snipers were no match for the Kangaroo shooters, even at their own game. The assistance of the Navy here, as elsewhere, was invaluable. Admiral Tliirsby proved a trusty, powerful friend to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Meanwhile a French regiment disembarked at Kum Kale and captured 500 Turks, and the main French force disembarked at Sedd-el-Balir on the evening of the 26th. I ordered a general advance on the 27th to a line from Hill 236 to the mouth of a stream two miles north of Tek Kebar. This was accomplished without opposition, and relieved the growing congestion of the beaches, also giving us several new wells and affording a temporary solution of the water problem, which was causing much anxiety. Krithia Holds Out.

I decided to further advance on the 28th in order to make what headway was possible before the enemy recovered and was reinforced. General Hamilton records the courageous behaviour of the Eighty-sixth and Eighty-eighth Brigades. The few guns landed did not give adequate artillery support, and the small amount of the transport was insufficient to maintain supplies of cartridges. Hopes of getting a footing on Achi Baba had perforce to be abandoned for the moment. Had it been possible to push in reinforcements of men, artillery and munitions, Krithia should have fallen on the- 28th and much subsequent fighting would have been avoided. This reinforcing would have been feasible two days later, but the enemy meanwhile received proportionately greater support, so we have no reason to regret we did not hesitate or delay, especially as the line was appreciably advanced. The bulk of the artillery landed by the thirteenth, when the line was readjusted, the French increasing their length. The Turks delivered a series of desperate attacks at 10 o’clock in the evenins, before moonrise. Their formation amounted to three solid lines of men, the front being deprived of ammunition to make them rely on the bayonet. The officers had pistols firing Beng-al lights in red as an indication to where the Turkish guns were to lengthen their range; white to show the position of our own front trenches being stormed : and in green to show that the main position had been carried. Turkish Methods. The Turkish method of attack was to crawl on hands and knees until the time for the final rush. General von Zowenstein, in an eloquent exhortation to the Turkish attackers, called on them to make one mighty effort and fling back the Britishers into the sea. He said: “Attack the enemy with the bayonet and utterly destroy them. We shall not retire a step, otherwise our religion, country and nation will perish. Soldiers, the world is looking. Your only hope of salvation is to bring the battle to a successful solution or to gloriously die with the attempt. The first momentum in this ponderous onslaught fell upon the right. The Eighty-sixth Brigade held an unlucky spot, as *ll the officers thereabouts were killed or wounded. A Turkish bayonet charge made an ugly gap in the line, but it was instantly filled by Fifth Koval Scots, Territorials, who faced to their flank and executed a brilliant bayonet ch. rgc. The rest of the British lines held their own with comparative ease and it was"unnecessary to employ the reserves. The storm next broke on the French left, where the Senegalese were stationed. After several charges and counterattacks, the Senegalese began to give ground. The Worcesters were sent to hold the gap. Counter-offensives began at 5 o’clock in the morning, and the whole line advanced. At 7.30 a.m. the British left had gained 500 yards. Our centre had pushed back the enemy, inflicting heavy losses, but concealed machine-guns made it necessary to withdraw to former trenches.

Repulse of the Turks. The net result of the operations- was the repulse of the Turks and the infliction of very heavy losses. At first we had them fairly on the run. Had it not been for those inventions of the devil, machineguns and barbed-wire, which suit the Turkish character and Tactics perfectly, we should not have stopped short of the crest of Achi Baba. As it was, all the brigades reported a great number of dead Turks in front of their lines. We did not interfere with the Turks burying their dead under the Bed Crescent. Our losses, exclusive of the French, to Hay 5, were 177 officers and 1990 men killed, 412 officers and 7807 wounded, 13 officers and 3580 men missing. ' ! General Hamilton pays'high tribute to Admiral Rebeck and the Havy, who risked everything: to give their soldier comrades ;i fair run in at the enemy. “General d’Amade,” he adds, “has given me the benefit of wide experience in war and afforded the most loyal and energetic support. Ho troops could have acquitted themselves more creditably under trying circumstances and under heavy hisses than the French.” , . “General Birdwood was responsible for the execution of difficult and hazardous operations connected with the Australian and New Zealand landing operations, which were crowned with very remarkable success. This fact speaks for itself. General 1 hunter-Weston, untiring and as resourceful as ever was more cheerful as the outlook upon ocasions grew darker. He possesses special (nullifications as a commander of troops. “Field 'Major-General W. Blaithwaite was the best Chief of General Staff it'was ever my fortune to encounter in war. “I have many other names to bring under notice which will form the subject of an early separate report.”

TSOOPS’ ASTOUNDING SUCCESS. BRITISH PRESS RINGS WITH ADMIRATION. "MOST ASTONISHING FEATURE OF THE WAR.” SIR lAN HAMILTON’S GLOWING MESSAGE. (Received Juiy 8, 1 a.m.) . ' LONDON, July 7. “The Times” says the first overwhelming thought which surges up *on reading General Sir lan Hamilton’s stirring words

is pride and admiration for the gallantry and devotion of our heroic troops and those of France. General Hamilton’s references are vague, hut really mean that the transports carrying war material were ordered back tc Alexandria because they were defectively loaded and their con tents had to be taken out and rearranged. The public are entitled to know what excuse, if any, cat be offered for the fundamental mistake of trying- to force the Straits without military aid. Apparently Mr Churchill was responsible. The truth can have no effect at the present stage of operations. The task may require infinite patience, but unflinching courage which inspired our troops on the narrow fire-swept beaches will carry them to their goal. Sir lan Hamilton’s despatch is one of the most important and nobly-worded documents in European bistory. It is now evident that it was impossible to land at Bulair, because the cliffs were too high and steep. The most northerly landingjudged practicable was the spot where the Australians and New Zealanders disembarked. Even though it was impossible to get ashore the heavy artillery and supplies for the main force, the Colonials scrambled ashore and remain a thorn in the side of the Turks, but the principal army, with the heavy impedimenta. was hound to land at the extreme end of the peninsula. The .enterprise was extremely difficult, but not a wild cat scheme, and, with the exercise of pafience, skill and heroism those engaged mav look for final success. The “Morning Post” says the landing must rank as one of the finest feats of arms in history. The Dublins, Munsters, Hampshires, Australians and New Zealander?! have added to the imperishable traditions of the army the lustre of achievements worthy of their forefathers. “The Daily Express” says Sir lan Hamilton’s tribute to the Australians, New Zealanders, and Indians is fine and just and neither exaggerated nor understated. The Expedition’s object is not yet fully understood by the general public, but when it is the invasion of Gallipoli will rank as easily the most astonishing feature of all this astonishing war.

LATEST mm, ] ' — V. BIG BATTLE ON MONDAY. { p v: ALLIES 5 ATTACK LASTS ALL DAY. j. € TURKS SEND ARABS TO THE FRONT. P f.y (Received July 8, 1.20 a.m). §(• ATHENS, duly 7. After a heavy bombardment from the land batteries the $ Allies infantry at the Dardanelles at noon on Monday began an * attack lasting till evening. Ten thousand Arabs have arrived at Constantinople. The majority are being sent to Gallipoli. British aircraft bombed Smyrna and Coura.

“ MEME HAS BLUNDERED!” EXPEDITION DESCRIBED AS A BUNGLE. BRAVERY OF THE TROOPS UNAVAILING. . FRANK OPINION BA" “DAILY MAIL.”

(Received JulvS, 1.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 7. The “Daily Mail” says all the world knows the expedition was bungled. Despite the unprecedented bravery of the Bniish, French, Australians New Zealanders and Indians, we have hardly advanced through the hills and ravines. The landing at Gallipoli was a Bottbinck expedition started by politic* Mns who we¥e even unaware that the Germans had a submarine capable of travelling to the Dardanelles.