THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1924, Page 3

THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN

FURTHER NOTES FROM LORD WEMYSS’ DIARY. IUBTUALIAN AND N.Z. OAUI.E ASSOCIATION. (Received this day at 12 noon). LONDON. April 1. Lord "Wemyss in bis memoiis continues : Though the opening phases of the campaign did not result in the capture o ftlie plain of Kalid Bahr. the army gained a footing from which it was unlikely to be driven. A voluntary withdrawal without disaster seemed impossible. There!ore, we were committed to the very line of action which we ardently desired to avoid. The objective could not be gained without a far greater expenditure of effort than our commitments to France permitted.

An entry in the diary on the !otl>. ot May roads: “Two nights ago the Australians drove off the Turks with great slaughter. They behaved splendidly. I hear nothing but good of them.”

On the 25th. ho says: ‘Have just heard that Fisher and Churchill have actually gone. We must now pray that some sympathy and eominonsense will be brought to hear on matters here.”

On the 30th., Lord Wemyss records: “I learn that Jackson relieves Fisher. 1 think it is the best possible appointment, but cannot enthuse over Balfour being the first Lord. Churchill's name will he handed down as that of a man who undertook operations the requirements of which ho was entirely ignorant. Concerning Fisher, .1 will r sneak. It is now five weeks since landing, but we have made little headway. •More men.’ is always the cry from all. I hoar the Australians are an odd mixture. In some situations the;' are

quite magnificent,; in others, hopeless. Full of dash and resource they are, ns vet, imperfectly disciplined though I believe they arc a great deal better than they were.”