THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1929, Page 3

THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN

TRIBUTES TO ANZACS

TURKEY WANTED ALLIANCE

WITH RUSSIA

LONDON, April 13.

The British official history of Gallipoli, in addition to extracts already published, reveals the interesting and hitherto unpublished fact that Turkey and Germany signed a secret treaty on August 2, 1914. Britain’s entry into the war completely upset Turkey’s views, and, fearing the consequences, Enver Pasha, on August 5, approached' the Russian attache with definite proposal for a R-usso-Turkish alliance against Germany. Russia did not inform England or France of this tor a few days. Shortly afterwards the German warship Goebeii reached Constantinople, after escaping from the British fleet in tho Mediterranean and the opportunity of gaining Turkey's support disappeared. Tho history of the succeeding weeks preceding the outbreak of war with Turkey is traced clearly and interestingly.

The hook reveals the unfortunate effect of the successful British bombardment in February, 1915, which warned Turkey of the inadequacy o) her defences without achieving anything definite. Documents are freely quoted tracing the stages by which the decision for a purely naval attack was reached. Turkey’s unpreparedliess is revealed by a description of the first day’s bombardment, when fifty men landed without casualties and demolished the forts at Takke Bunm, at which the 29th Division lost 3000 men in one day exactly two months later.

Most of the subsequent history is already known. The first mention of the Australians is enthusiastic: "The prowess of the Australian and New Zealand troops in the Great VI ar won lasting fame, hut it was on Gallipoli, above the beach which hears their name, that their laurels were first gained. It was there that they set up a standard of bravery, tenacity and resource which furnished an example for all who followed them.

“From the viewpoint of general physique these two divisions were tho flower of Australian and New Zealand manhood. All who saw them rn the early days of the campaign agree that they were probably as fine a body of men as ever stood to arms.”

The Third Brigade’s landing is fully described, and units and commanders particularised. The glorious story is again recounted in stirring language. The manner in which the difficulties of the ground and the absence of artillery jeopardised ami finally ruined the Anzacs’ fortunes is described. Summarising the situation on the night o! April 25 the history says;—“lt would appear indeed, that, despite the almost impossible task to which the mistake in selecting the landing place committed them, the. Australians and New Zealanders were within an ace of triumph, yet such is war. Seldom indeed has the mettle of inexperienced troops been subjected to a rune severe test. It imay well be doubted if even a veteran division could have carried out a co-ordinated attack at Anzac on April 25. The predominant feeling which that astonishing oattiofield must always arouse will be unstinted admiration for the untried battalions who did so exceedingly well.”

Full details are given of the vniious British landings, including that at V Beach, which was “cleverly conconed, happily opened, hesitatingly conducted and miserably ended.” The history is punctuated with stirring tributes to the Anzacs’ example. After emphasising the fact that the Anzacs’ territory was only a strip one mile and a half along the coast, and that its greatest depth was only a thousand yards from the sea, with an anchorage under hostile observation, the writer says:—“Only those who visited the actual ground and took in the incredible position from the old Turkish front line can fully appreciate the spirit of the troops who held it. That the Australians and New Zealanders never relinquished their grasp, that they made this apparently hopeless position impregnable, that, after awaiting reinforcements for three months, they attacked, re-attacked and very nearly won, is a story that will live for ever.

Referring to tile second battle at Krithia the history says:—“The gal-

lanl charge of this brigade (the I*ilTh Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Battalions, under Brigadier-General ,J. W. AleCay) was an unrecognised Balaclava charge, for it ended with the loss of over a. thousand out of two thousand engaged, including the brigadier and both stall' officers, who were wounded. The charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava, resulted in a loss of 247 out of 673.”

The book closes with a synopsis of the position at the end of the first phase of the campaign, terminating with the second battle of Krithia. Tin historian adds:—“lf the 80,000 lound fired on Aubor’s Ridge against tlm Germans on the following day had been available at Krithia, that 1 might well have carried Sir lan Hamilton on to the Narrows and tlie fleet to Constantinople.”

The history is a valuable addition to the Gallipoli Library.

PULMONAS KILL ’FLU GERMS.