NEW GALLIPOLI DISPATCH

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 June 1916, Page 3

NEW GALLIPOLI DISPATCH

9 SIR lAN HAMILTON o CORRECTIONS. The War Office issues a uispatch from Sir lan Hamilton! supplementing and correcting his dispatch ot December 11th last in regard to the Gallipoli operations. Tho War. Office also issues a list of GO corrections of uystakes, ot rank or name, which occurred among the names of Australian officers and men mentioned in the last dispatch. In his supplementary dispatch Sir lan Hamilton explains that he was unable to sot seriously to work upon his main dispatch until after his return home in October last and that he was hampered in preparing it By his separation from his late lien oral Headqua iters. He says:— My main difficulty my in the lack oi properly authenticated tacts relating to the actions and identities ot .some of the units which had borne the brunt of the fighting. In the Suvla Bay area especially so many senior commanders had gone in one way and another that it seemed as if'the story must be left half told. But now, atnoe my dispatch has been studied by many wno were themselves engaged, fresh Mght has been thrown upon several episodes hitherto obscure. I lave sifted tho evidence and have satisfied myself that full justice has not been done to certain individuals and units. The corrections are as tollowis-.-I.—ln the assault upon i urkish trenches between the Mai Tepe Dere a-nti the west brancK oi tho tvanli Dere on August 7th, the 125 th and 327 th (not tho 129 th as previously given) were the Brigades engaged. 2.—in- the description of the hunt fo" Lone Pine the praise given to tho s#nd Mew Zealand Battery undea* Major Sykes. should have been given to the let N'ew Zealand Battery under Majoi McCJilp. 3.—it was the 6th Royal IrisJi Rifles (not, as given, the 10th Hampshire Regiment) togefther with two companies of the 6th East Lancashire Regiment that_charged tip the slope with the bayonet at Chunuk Bair o" August 9th. 4.—Brigadior-Uenerai Hill's blst Brigade consisted ot sth Royal mni»killing Fusiliers, the sth Royal Irish Fusiliers, plus the Oth Royal Dublin Fusiliers and 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, which were temporarily attached thereto. Of these battalions the stt» Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers joined General Mahon, and were therefore not present during the fighting at Chocolate Hill. In addition to unite already singled out for commendation, the sth Royal Irish Fusiliers and the ' 7th Royal Dublin Fusiliers deserve special mention for the energy and boldness which characterised their attack.

6.—ln the attack on Hill 7(7. on August 9th, the 6th Royal Irish Fusiliers and the 6th Hoyal Dublin Fusilere of the Slst Brigade (both attached to the 32nd Brigade for this day's operations) rendered distinguished service. 6.—The 9tli Battalion Sherwood 'For- 1 esters had constantly maintained tout hearts mind a soldierly spirit in spite of the heavy losses "they had suffered when carrying out their costly duty of closing the big gup between the left of the Aileno troops and Chocolate Hill from August Bth to 14th. On August 21st the same battalion, together with the 6th Battalion Border Regiment, displayed a vigorous initiative combined with very steady discipline during the attack on Ismail 'Jglu Tepe. • Sir lan Hamilton makes espeoiai mention of the following officers:— Brigadiier-General R. >i'. M'xweJi, commanding the .l2nd Brigade. Me evinced coolnrsa aa well as energy throughout the heavy fighting of August, and stuck to his duty afterwards until, through sickness, lie was literally unable to stand. Brigadier-General H. uaggardi, commanding the 32nd Brigade. He was severely wounded on August 7th, out not before he had had time to give sure proof of leadership and; daring.