FREYBERG’S ADVENTURE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 12 January 1931, Page 8

FREYBERG’S ADVENTURE

THE GALLIPOLI SWIM TOWING CANOE WITH FLARES PERIL OF THE RETURN The “raft” used by Lieutenant-Colonel “Tiny” Frey berg, V.C., was among the treasured possessions of the Royal Naval Division exhibited at a recent reunion, of the Royal Naval Reserve at the Crystal Palace. The “raft” is really a canvas canoe, but its purpose was not to carry the gallant soldier when he landed with flares off the Bulair lines in Gallipoli, but to carry the apparatus. Freyberg swam and towed it.

The story of the famous exploit was described at Auckland last week in detail by Major-General Sir George Richardson, who was staff officer of the Royal Naval Division when it took part in the Gallipoli adventure (reports the “Herald”). Part of the general plan of operations, lie said, was that a feint should he made at Bulair, north of the Anzac position, in order to keep part of the Turkish Army in that locality and thus assist the landing troops at Anzac. It was decided that throughout April 25 transports should hover about Bulair and that at night someone shoujd swim ashore and place lights at regular intervals along the beach to give the impression to the enemy that they were to mark points of landing for various battalions

Freyberg voluntered for the task. General Richardson was unaware of Ids capacity as a swimmer .and said a, very strong swimmer was required. ‘But I am one,” said the modest giant, affectionately known as “Tiny.” “J. have swum 12 miles down the Wanganui.” So he got the honour. A canvas canoe was made by the engineers, a little thing about three feet long. It was filled with hares and sealed to protect its cargo from the wet and fitted with braces to enable the officer to tow it.

After dark Freyberg was conveyed inshore by a destroyer and alone into the night lie set off to perform his chosen duty. On the ships the sailors and soldiers waited. In a little over lialf-an-hour the first flare appeared and then others, until they knew that the job had been done. There was no firing, but Freyberg reported that he had heard voices and as it was subsequently ascertained, a highly-trained body of Turkish troops was in position, hut the Turks refrained from firing in order not to disclose their position. The feint certainly succeeded in its purpose because a. considerable body of the enemy was kept at Bulair to meet the possiblo landing. Frcyburg set off again for the destroyer, but it was in darkness and he could not find it. He swam for a considerable time and began to feel cramp, which might have caused his death, but as he stated soon after regaining the ship, a large fish leaped out of the water and brushed by his shoulder. “I got such a fright,” he said, “that tire cramp pains vanished and I was able .to swim on until eventually I found the ship.” The following morning the transports which had made the feint turned back toward Cape Helles, where the troops landed, but on the way they left boats at Anzac because it was considered quite a possibility that an evacuation would have to be made. ‘ ‘That is another story which will bear telling some day,” sail'd.Sir George. ‘ n, .