MOST SUCCESSFUL BATTLE YET REPORTED.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3978, 10 July 1915, Page 5

MOST SUCCESSFUL BATTLE YET REPORTED.

BRIGHT POSSIBILITIES OPENED UP. STIRRING REPORT BY MR, ASH ME AO BARTLETT.

ARMIES GREATLY HEARTENED BY THE VICTORY.

G ALLANT SCOTTISH REGIMENTS IN ACTION

(I niter! Press Association.—-Copyright.! (Rceivec! -July 9. 11.10 p.m.) LONDON. July 9. 99 r Askmeail Bartlett, the famous war correspondent, who is representing- the British press as war correspondent for the Dardanelles operations, states that the lighting- on June 28, called the “Battle of (fully Ha vine,” was the most successful engagement .yet fought on the peninsula. We made a good triangular wedge on the left wiuy. each side being- a mile in extent. Our losses were comparatively small and our success was mainly due to the tactics adopted and an enormous improvement in the support which the artillery afforded.

Instead of a general advance, Sir lan Hamilton selected a section on which every available gun was concentrated. The worl.s chosen for the assault were battered to pieces with high explosives, while twenty minutes of shrapnel fire cut the -wire eat a glements to pieces. : lur success had a most inspiring effect on the whole army and opens the brightest prospects if the gunners are kept supplied with unlimited ammunition. The French lent some trench mortars —deadly weapons dropping bombs with thirty or seventy pounds of melignite vertically into the enemy's trenches. At short ranges these had a terrible effect. The Splendid 29th. The brunt of the fighting was borne by the 29th Division, whose deeds m Gallipoli assure them a place in history equal to that of Wellington's Peninsula veterans. Some of the Battalions ait* without a single officer who landed on April 25. but have been brought up to strength by drafts from the depots, and are commanded by many young officers. Nevertheless^ the division attacked with unsurpassed dash and vigor. The 156th Lowland Brigade also came out of their first battle with flying colors. Tlje First Borderers at 10.45 a.in. captured “Boomerang Fort/nilinost without opposition, the survivors being dazed "after the bombardment. The Artillery then lengthened tlm range to prevent the Turks rushing up reinforcements and simultaneously the Scottish Borderers, Inniskilling. Fusiliers and South Wales Borderers, of the 87th Brigade, rushed the first two lines of trenches between the gully and ravine and the sea. The Turks made an effort to check the advance, hut the 87th swept irresistibly forward. Meanwhile, on the right oi ihc gully and ravine, the 4th and 7th lloyal Scots made spirited attacks and captured two lines of Turkish trenches. Though two other battalions of the Lowland Division met with enemy opposition and suffered severe losses, they were enabled to make their objective good. Fresh Troops for the Fray* At 11.30 the 86th Brigade, led bv the Second lloyal Fusiliers, passed through the trenches captured by the 87th Brigade and swept forward upon two more lines of trenches. They presented a magnificent spectacle, the men never wavering or losing their formation under heavy artillery and rifle fire. Meanwhile the Indian Brigade on the extreme left moved along the c-lilfs and reached the green knoll which was our extreme objective. Several companies of the Lancashire Fusiliers advanced to the nullah which runs from the gully and ravine from the north and dug themselves in, thus connecting up the advanced positions with the 86th Brigade. This closed the morning’s work. All the positions on the extreme right were captured in under an hour and a-half. The Turks , showed no disposition to counter-attack and their artillery was extremely sparing of ammunition. The British artillery, throughout the afternoon, put a screen behind the Turkish firing lines to prevent reserves coming up. \ We made a further attempt at 5.30 p.m. to capture trenches on the right facing Frithia village, but, were unsuccessful. Turkish Night Attacks. The great difficulty in Gallipoli is to hole the captured positions against night attacks. The ground is so broken and provides so much natural cover'that the enemy, who know every detail of the configuration, are able to creep up in the darkness. The Turks reverted to those tactics on the night of the 28th but without success. _ There was no fighting on the 29th, tin- enemy being exhausted, and our men were enabled to make good their positions and to run connecting saps to the position on tin* right, thus forming-a diagonal line facing the enemy. The Turks, on the night of the 30th attacked the green knoll on the coast, but their columns were dispersed by mildest rovers. Two battalions of Turks further to the right also had no .success, though some, skilfully u-uag cover, reached to within ',30 yards of our trenches, but were annihilated. Mr Bartlett opines that the enemy’s powers of resistance have been appreciably weakened and that they have recently been losing faith in the German star. - Their infantry is dissatisfied with the artillery support and is afraid to move in the day time. DESPERATE UNDERTAKING, SIR lAN HAMILTON’S REPORT REVIEWED. SPLENDID BRAVERY OF THE COLON 3ALS.

BRIGHT LAURELS OF THE BATTLEFIELD

{Received July 9, 11.50 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. The ‘‘Daily Mai!” comments that the desperate character of the undertaking at the Dardanelles stands out from every line of Sir lan Hamilton’s despatch. The paper says the valor of Die Australians who dashed unhesitatingly at the Turkish trenches equalled that of our heroic regulars and it is a welcome thought to all that the Dominions have shared the laurels of Hie hafctlefield; n the latest Gallipoli fighting included. the First and Second Army Corps, ;the most warlike •troops of the Empire, composed of Arabs, Kurds and Albanians. It is estimated they lost '19.000 killed and wounded in recent attacks. b ... vi / , A' ' • • '... . ■ o' . . ; ,0... . /;L'L- ; .

GALLANTRY OF THE AUSTRALASIANS. THE -NAVY’S WARM PRAISE. A PLEASING LETTER. “WE ARE PROUD TO CO-OPERATE !” (Received July 10, 12.45 a.m.) LONDON. July 9Admiral Thursby, of H.M.S. Queen, writing to General Bird-wood, expresses the navy’s intense admiration of the gallantry of the Australian and New. Zealand troops m the dashing way they took the position, .which will become historic and adds: “Please convey to all ranks the honor we feel at being allowed to co-operate with the Australian and New Zealand army corps.” HOSPITALS FOR OUR WOUNDED. ARRANGEMENTS SPLENDID AND ADEQUATE. FAMOUS BRITISH SURGEON’S REPORT. FINE WORK OF AUSTRALIAN DOCTORS. (Received July 9, 9.45 p.m.) LONDON, July 9. Sir Frederick Treves, the eminent physician, states that he has visited the hospitals at Malta, Cairo, Alexandria. Port Said, and Mudros, and he unhesitatingly says the arrangements are adequate. Many of the beds are unoccupied and there are plenty of doctors and nurses and a number of operating surgeons of the highest class from England and Australia. The work of the Australian Red Cross is simply magnificent. Sir Frederick adds that he had an opportunity of seeing in the freest possible manner all the arrangements made in the Mediterranean area for the reception of sick and wounded from the Dardanelles. The Royal Army Medical Corps maintained the high reputation it had earned in this campaign, while, of the vast Colonial Medical Corps, he can use no stronger terms of praise than by saying the Australian army doctors have done as well as their comrades in the fighting line. The casualties were very great, heavier, he imagined, than ever anticipated, and, owing to the sudden arrival of lar (,, e convoys of wounded, there had been periods of severe pressure and urgent stress, just as in the early days of the campaign in France. These dire emergencies were met heroically and with no little success, especially when it is remembered that the distances covered arc great and communications are nc‘ mo easy and the difficulties in connection with transport are often insurmountable. TURKISH PRISONERS’ STORIES, JUBILANT AT RELEASE FROM GALLIPOLI. ALLIES WEARING THE ENEMY DOWN. ANTI-GERMAN FEELING IN TURKEY. LONDON, July S. The “Chronicle’s” Mitylene correspondent states that Turkish prisoners who have arrived at Mitylene are well fed and jubilant at rescue from the inferno at Gallipoli. They.declare that the spirits of the Turks are dropping, necessitating the most frequent changing of the first line troops so as to maintain the front continuously with fresh troops. Frontal attacks have been discontinued. The large number of prisoners is an excellent indication of the wearing-down efforts of the Allies. . Prisoners relate that anti-German feeling is more intense. Many German officers have been shot in the hacks in revenge for shooting with revolvers hesitant Turks. The quays at Constantinople are almost deserted. Shipping is massed at the Golden Horn, not venturing seaward. The Anglo-Russian blockade has paralysed trade. Spying is rife and terrorising is worse than in Abdul Hamid’s days. ° A strong element is ready for a revolution to overthrow the military party and German overlords. There are many anti-conscription riots. Intense fighting continues at Gallipoli. The trying heat has not daunted the Allies, who are digging towards an important underground fort at Tree Peak, resembling “The Labyrinth'’ in France. . _ The Turks have introduced a new strategy at Kritlua. When the Allies by a dashing night attack, captured the first two trenches facing the ruined village, the Turks at dawn exploded mines, crumbling the parapets, and exposing the defenders, raking them with machine-guns. The Allies instantly jumped up and stormed the Turkish trenches.. Aftei ten minutes’ desperate hand-to-hand fighting they ejected the Turks capturing the machineguns. . Aeroplanes on both sides have been dropping pamphlets Some intended for the Allies were carried by the wind and landed in the Turkish lines. , The Turks endorsed “Wrong address —try the Australian lines,” on the aeroplane messages, and threw them to the Australians, who threw them back, marked “Returned to sender as woods'not up to the sample of known truth.” The Turks again returned them. The Australians then tied the missives to hand-grenades and threw them back, finally silencing the lurks. It is believed that Enver Pasha came under a hot'New Zealand fire, narrowly escaping. , The surgeons remark on the slightness of the Allies wounds, few wounded succumbing. THE FLEET ONCE MORE-

TEEMENDOIIS BOMBARDMENT REPORTED. ENVER BEY COMMANDING THE TURKS. DISCONTENT AMONG THE ENEMY. (Received July 10, 1.20 a.in.) MITYLENE, July 9. It is reported by Turkish soldiers that General von Sanders’ wounds has caused Enver Bey to assume command in Gallipoli. An intense bombardment at the Dardanelles was m progress from midnight on Sunday until 7 o’clock on Tuesday morning. It was audible for fifty miles and gives the lie to the printed statement thrown broadcast into the Australian lines that the fleet has abandoned them. ... The Anglo-French have almost surrounded JVrithia ana the ' Allies’ line is so advanced that the enemy’s artillery this side ’ o f the straits is unable to drop shells on our encampments, though they are still subjected to shelling from the Asiatic sidef. A few days ago Enver Bey renewed his attempt to expel the Australians and was not only repulsed, but the Australians pushed their lines further inland and southwards and now include Cape Gaba Tope. . Turkish desertions are increasing daily. Prior to her torpedoing, the Carthage landed her entire cargo of ammunition. It is reported that 500 Turks and a German officer of high rank were captured on Tuesday and brought to Mudros.

THE ALLIES’ CAMPAIGNS. GERMAN ATTACKS EASILY REPULSED. ENEMY CAUGHT BETWEEN TWO FIRES. MINE WARFARE AT NOYON. DEVELOPING TO FRENCH ADVANTAGE. (Received July 9, 9.4,5 p.m.) JAVRLS, July 9. Official: A German attack against a trench which the British captured on July G south-west of Pilken, was broken up with very heavy losses, the attackers being caught between the lire of the British artillery and our field guns. A very violent German counterattack was launched north of S'ouehez station in an endeavor to retake tho trenches we captured on Wednesday evening.

The Germans only succeeded in occupying 100 metres out of 800 metres. Mine warfare in the Noyon region has developed to our advantage. AT THE LBYRINTH. INCESSANT BATTLE SINCE MAY. “OUR LIVES FOR FRANCE.” (Received July 9, 11.10 p.m.) PARIS, July 9. “Eye-Witness,” describing the fighting at the “Labyrinth,” narrates, that on a front of barely ten miles, hundreds of thousand of men have been incessantly engaged since the beginning of May in attacking and defending the watershed whence the Scheldt Hows. The Germans have brought the best of their troops to defend the entrance to- the Lens plains. Their garrison at Souchez is fighting superbly at Buvalbottorn, and they need all their discipline to withstand t-lie fury of the French attack. A divisional commander recently complained that bis men were not taking elementary precautions, and the men replied with affectionate respect: “Well, general, wo arc here to bo killed,” and cheered when the general retorted: “Yes, my children. You anci I are here to be killed, but- wo must so contrive our death that it is useful to France U»

The Germans sometimes burrow sixty feet iri their regular system of so-called “communication bowels.” There is also a great concentration of heavy artillery on the slopes of Angras and Bois deFolje. Much of the fighting in the underground galleries is by the light of torches and electric Hares and attacks are made with hand-grenades, which fill the galleries with poisonous fumes and end in desperate hand-to-hand encounters. An officer in charge of a machinegun section narrates that after a week of Apache warfare, in which the Germans were fighting with automatic revolvers and knives, the Germans organised a night attack. The French moved their machinecums to ai barricade in the main stiect. When the Germans debouched fifty metres distance they filled the whore street and fell one after another when the guns-Taught them. It was a terrible moment ot slaughter. FIGHTING IN AFRICA. U MON FOR CVS 7 SPLENDID WORK. deceived July 9, 9.45 p.m.) CAPETOWN, July 9. Official. Colonel Myburgh has reached Tsumeb, thirty miles north oi Otavi, capturing on route GOO prisoners and some guns, and releasing British prisoners. Colonel Brits, in an immense westerly detour, took 150 prisoners and released the remainder of the t men troops captured. GENERAL STEMS. IMG EIRE AT CHARLOTTENBURG GERMAN CHEMICAL FACTORY DESTROYED.

LONDON, July 8

Berlin papers report a big fire at the United Chemical Works at Chariot ten burg. - Travellers report that two thousand military trains crossed the Rhine at Cobleutz, Mayenco and Mannheim in connection with the westward movement of troops. A Berlin telegram states that the Germans confidently expect- Count Zeppelin’s 77tli birthday (July 8) will be celebrated by some daring raid on a British town. Lord St. Davids, in the House of Lords, suggested the appointment of a Government committee to consider suggestions from any source lor an improvement of tho public set vice during the war, with a view to cflicioitcy aud economy. Lord Crewe replied that every effort had been made to introduce business methods and scientific knowledge in the conduct of public affairs. Major Archer Slice, in the House of Commons, asked whether the Government would consider the question of selling interned Austro-Germau merchantmen, to compensate tor damage done to our own mercantile marine.

Mr liunciman replied that the suggestion had not been overlooked, but it was not proposed to adopt it at present. Suggestions are being made to Mr Botiar La will at in view of Sir L. F. Borden’s proposed visit an opportunity should he given to the Premiers Jot 5 Pile self-governing dependencies to assemble in London at an earl'- date for the purpose of conferring regarding the conduct'of the war. The Pelrograd press states that a conference of . Austrian and German representatives at Vienna to discuss territorial compensa(ions grautable to Roumania resulted in failure. 'I ho representatives were unable to reach tangible results. *• A New York message reports an ex-Germano-Swiss frontier has been reopened. The Germans refuse to disclose the military reasons which necessitated the closure. A New York message repors an explosion in a Canadian munitions factory caused by a cordite cutting machine jamming. Seven people were killed, including Mr Dent, British Government Inspector of Explosives, and seven injured. An attempt which was made to blow up the police headquarters failed. The perpetrators escaped. (Received July 9, 11.20 p.m.) Generali Gourand’s right arm was amputated during the. voyage. Ho is also suffering from a fracture of the right thigh and the left leg. IDs chndition • is satisfactory." Prior to their sailing the War Office stopped 31 New Zealand nurses'. AMERICAN WIRELESS PLANT. : SAYVILLE SPYING ’STATION. NEW YORK, July 8. The United States Government has taken over control, of the Sayvillo wireless plant. A suspicion exists that German spies were using code to inform Berlin of developments of military importance. *»■