The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1932. THE EPITAPH.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times SATURDAY, APRIL 23, 1932. THE EPITAPH.

Though the Dardanelles campaign failed, it played a great part in the eventual fortunes of the war by hampering Germany’s use of forces on the Western Front in the spring of 1915. It helped to make Italy enter the war, kept Greece out, and forced Bulgaria. ■ to hold aloof for lAany month'/. Finally, tlie lighting on the Gallipoli destroyed the Dower of the Turkish army, and paved the way fur Allenl>,y’s victory in Palestine. Truly it may be said that those who fell at Gallipoli did not fall in vain.

Such is the epitaph accorded to those who fell on Gallipoli by the historian of to-day who taking the long view of fully a’ decade and a half, so sums up the situation in tlie Official History of the campaign. We are again approaching the commemoration of Anzac Day which marks the sacrifice of the Australian and New Zealand forces on the far-flung battle line. The issue of the? Official History of the great event in the early appearance of the Antipodean forces in the Great War. when they underwent their baptism of fire, is thuis very timely. The historian has revie,wed the Dardanelles cjunpaigu very fully, and delved into the inner official secrets of the negotiations and battle orders, the substance of which sent the forces on a difficult mission as part of a great campaign. Actually the mission was a gallant failure for the objective was not achieved. The enemy was not, defeated, though it wa.-i worsted. Yet the Turks had a great task to hold up the enemy, and were drained of resources of men and munitions, so that in the end the way was easier for the advance into Palestine. But to .achieve that degree of success, together with tire other oountiies on the credit, side, had no mean effect on the general trend of the war. The campaign was not planned with the care that it mignt have been, and indecision on the part of the high conmiaiKl marked the progress of the occupation of Gallipoli. But through it all the colonial troops acted with outstanding bravery and tenacity, and took all the risks of seasoned troops without flinehrng. it was a campaign full of the greatest difficulties mid drawback-fa from its inception, and (lie units experienced war in it.*- most serious form. The loyalty c-f the Dominions was lulls’ manifested in (ho way the troop.* held on to every advance despite the m-

ganioiifieu of a well directed dofem And (hen finally rt-une the rejtnjat, which was ;>• •■< :itii;!isix d ae: ending to tic- I-- - d tradition-: of (he Army. The defenders were h-l'l, and had not the knowledge that, there foes had dcd. Thi . led aVo called for In-,very and determination, ami examplilied tin- spirit of tile i oop- to Ttie full. Later in ollmr parts of ihe

(treat War. the New /'-aland troops eo’ii |,ol !ei i (hemsel-’e-i well. ! he.V had did itieiiislied service in many planes. ~,,,] were \\" 11 ill Ihe van when tfm final '-ease iv -omidd. \’l this

heavy liiihiii" look seri nis 1011. Many suffered liedi!s' ale' in health, oiliirf's whiell look toil ! Uer. Tin- pension |j^(... to day fell I he Pile o! perso-md loss and si life rinp Bid d was made i„ the fine spit jt of put t ?<>! i-sni and

those sacrifices should he respected and commemorated in all sincerity. -Monday is the great day of universal remembrance in New Zealand, and there is a call to old and young to honour the occasion in the fullest respect and regard for the memory of those who have passed away in the willing service of their country.