TURNING THE TABLES ON THE TURKS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3983, 16 July 1915, Page 6

TURNING THE TABLES ON THE TURKS.

ALLIES OCCUPY TWO HILLS COVERING KEITH!A. ASH MEAD BARTLETT DESCRIBES jffTRECENT FIGHTING. VjWMY CLEVER IN DEFENCE g RUT WEAK IN ATTACK. * (United Press Association-Copyright.) (Received July, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, July 15. A shmead Bartlett says that a successful advance of our left wing was made on June 28. It seems to liavo seriously alarmed tlio enemy and caused him gravo anxiety for tlio safety of his right flank. Having brought up fresh troops whereof somo were raw Asian levies, ho had been counter-attacking vigorously ever since, making tlio most dosperato efforts to recover tlio lost trcnclios. Enver Pasha came from Constantinople and stimulated the faithful to fresh exertions. A great banner was hoisted at Aclii Baba. With bis arrival came also dissensions in tlio Turkish camp, for generals on tlio spot had gained experinoco of the futility of massed counter-attacks against the entrenched Britishers and opposed any attempts to recover the lost ground, arguing that ft would ho hotter to await our fresh, advance. But Enver insisted on a general attack along the whole line.

It is reported thirty fresh battalions were engaged in this move. The enemy were particularly severely handled on our left wing, being caught between our field guns and howitzers, and an enfilading fire from destroyers. In fact the enemy’s massed advances simply faded away before the artillery and accurate infantry fire. In our centre and right wing the Turks on occasions sapped up close and fought on more even terms, but in not a single instance were they able to maintain their lodgment in our trendies. Their artillery was inactive on 28th. It has apparently received fresh supplies for it has fired largely for the last three days, hut the fire was effectless. The Asiatic batteries were also active.

HOW THE TURKS ATTACK.

SURGE FORWARD IN IRREGULAR FORMATION.

ENORMOUS NUMBER OF ENEMY CASUALTIES.

Our troops had a bad time at the beach and the Lancashires in landing, but we were too well dug in to suffer except from direct hits. Our officers are loud in their praises of the extreme gallantry and indifference to death shown by the Turkish infantry. Superlative as" ho proved himself in defence his method at attacks were crude and wasteful. He did not possess a scientific knowledge of carrying out an attack like our infantry supported by artillery. Tlio Turks were clever in sapping and in the use of bombs, whereof they possess a large supply. But when attempts to carry positions at the bayonet point he was invariably beaten with enormous loss.

Before attack he masses several battalions in natural features of ground under cover and hidden from view. Then the mass surges forward in irregular formation slowly without apparent enthusiasm. At last our artillery, with early information had made concentrations to break up the gatherings before they had a chance of leaving cover. Sometimes a few of the bravest and most determined would reach our parapets, only to he shot- down, and the majority would scatter, leaving snipers in the broken ground who would causo most of our casualties. The net result of the Turkish efforts lias been an enormous number added to his killed and wounded.

During last week all along our line dead were lying in hundreds, while thousands of wounded have gone to Constantinople. From our standpoint Enver’s intervention has been a happy inspiration. His activity is possibly only temporary. He has taken an opportunity owing to Yon Sanders’ wound, to try his own methods of driving us into the sea. The Turkish recklessness in throwing away thousands of lives points to their having unlimited troops on the peninsula. In fact it would seom wo arc fighting the whole of the Turkish army, which lias been withdrawn from elsewhere and concentrated in Thrace and Gallipoli.

From captured orders it is evident the Turkish commanders are worried at the facility wherewith we have taken trenches. lii the last two advances drastic steps liavo been taken to prevent a repitition, the men being strictly forbidden, to retire and the officers being ordered to shoot them if they do. Any officer refusing to shoot tlio men is to he shot himself. Meanwhile the Turks have constructed four new lines of trenches of groat strength to the front of our left wing, whilst men are digging all round Aclii Baba and Krithia.

GERMANY TYRANNISING OVER TURKEY.

MOVEMENT TO THWART THE ALLIES.

ENEMY FEELING RESTRICTION OF COMM U NIC AT lONS. LONDON, July 14. Tlio successful attacks on the Turkish positions lias been confirmed. The British, on tlio right, in conjunction with the French on the loft, gained important ground, inflicring heavy losses on the Turks and Germans. ATHENS, July 14. The Allies, after four attacks, occupied two hills covering Krithia. COPENHAGEN, July 14.

Several German newspapers state that a Balkan League has been formed, Bulgaria taking the initiative. PARIS. July 15. “Le Temps” says the Gormans have constructed an aeroplane repairing workshop at Constantinople and a dry dock at Stem Bay to assemble submarine parts received via Bulgaria; also a shell factory at Chichli, almost enitrely staffed by Gormans. (Times and Sydney Sun Services.l LONDON, July 14. Tlio "Cologne Gazette” unconsciously reveals the tyrannic German methods governing Turkey. German officials are throughout the country and gendams guarding the railways at all important points. An Athens message states that anticipating an attack from the Allies submarines the Turks have installed defence stations on tlio European and Asiatic'shores of the Sea of Marmora. The Turks are experiencing difficulty in revictualling their troops on the peninsula on account of insufficient communication. ATHENS, July 14. The fleet is bombarding a position across the peninsula, including Kilid Bahr, and the Asiatic forts. The latter do not reply unless the warships approach close. EMPIRE’S LOSSES AT THE DARDANELLES. . NEARLY ■40,000 TO END OF MAY. (Published m the London Times ) LONDON, July 0. Mr Asquith stated in the House of Commons to-day that the naval and military casualties at. the Dardanelles

TURKS GETTING “NERVY.” A Home special correspondent (Mr George Renwick) at Mitylcne, in describing the feat of the El 4. says: The Turco-German fleet is now known to have been further reduced in strength as the result of the most daring and highly successful raid carried out by a British submarine through, the Dardanelles and into the Sea of Marmora. The undersea vessel sot off from the base several days ago, and had quite a number of narrow escapes during her three days’ adventurous trip. She ran many risks, not only from the mines which are always floating down stream in the Straits, but she had also to run the gauntlet of the land {batteries and f of the submerged torpedo tubes under , the rocky shores of the Straits. The Turco-German outlooks at certain of theso points were aware of our submarine’s presence. Her skilful commander, however, took her safely through the mine fields, past the torpedo-tube stations, and past the batteries, several of which opened fire on her. She had eight torpedoes on hoard, and not one was wasted. Two torpedo boats fell victims to her unerring aim, and a largo collier also was sunk Above all, no fewor than five transports were torpedoed and sent- to the bottom. Of the transports two were carrying a considerable number el Turkish troops. Altogether thc_ whole exploit was a brilliant piece of naval daring. >■ Other British submarines are acting effectively in the same region, _ and their close watch on the enemy's doings in the Straits is giving the -*uiks a bad attack of nerves.

CHAMELON SNIPERS. TURKS HIDDEN AMONG BUSHES AND TREES. Router’s Special Correspondent at the Dardanelles, in his account of the fighting on May 8, gives some curious pictures of the '1 urkish soldiers method;. , As the Turks get near our trenches cries of “Allah” are heard, and s'in.i soprano yells which our men take fo> cheers. As the wave of attack rolls back the high-pit;bed nasal cries which seem to 1 the note of assault change to deep-throated shouts and grunts, the drop in the scale seemingly corresponding with declining hope of victory. . , ... . The Turk shows a special aptitude for the art of sniping. After every advance days have passed before souip.rv snipers could be (neared They hide themselves in burrows with a week’s provisions and a thousand rounds, and at first worked much mis- * There arc talcs of snipers being captured with their faces and hands stained green and their c.otnes .nmg about with leaves in order to .simulate the vegetation in wmch they hide.

up to May 31 u t'l-e • —; M ">i. Officers. Killed ... 496 60? 7 Wounded ... 1180 226-12 Missing ... 92 6445 1722 3C914