A WAR STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 12 October 1929, Page 3

A WAR STORY

“LANCASHIRE LANDING,” Gallipoli.

When our troops made their landing upon the Gallipoli peninsula on April 25, 1915, the storming of W Beach, between Cape Helles and Cape Tekke, was the task olf the Ist Lancashire Fu'siliers. The beach is flanked by cliffs on either side, ,and beyond the sand dunes in the centre there is high ground. The Turks ha<l skilfully entrenched and wired this naturally strong position.

Eight picket boats, each towing four man-o -war’s boats packed with Fusiliers, rushed in towards the beach.

The Turks withheld their fire until the foremost ..of our men were about to land. Then from right and left and front a hail af bullets from hidden rifles and machine guns swept over the boats, but nothing could stop the brave souls who survived. Under the cliffs on the left it was possible to land at a spot screened 'from the Turkish fire, and a few of the boats were directed to this flank. Soon a party of Fusiliers had .climbed the cliff and routed the Turks manning the defences there. In the centre a resolute advance drove the enemy from his trenches beyond the dunes. On the right a fresh advance scaled the cliff and held it. So in little more than an hour W Beach, henceforth to be known as “Lancashire Banding,” was won. So hard was it to award individual honours where all had displayed such gallantry that the battalion was called, upon to name six .of its members to receive the Victoria Cross.