THE DARDANELLES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 26, 31 May 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES

OFFICIAL REPORT FROM PARIS

Unitut) Prsm Association. . (Received 9.5 a.in.) Paris, May 90. The official report from the Dardanelles states that the Allies’ plan was to land a large force on the coast, which was without natural cover, and having as possible landing places only a few small beaches which were dominated by heights immediate in the rear. According to an army order found on a Turkish officer, the Turks were convinced a landing under lire from the trenches and redoubts rising from Hie shore was out ol the question. The .British undertook the principal action against the Peninsula, the French carrying out a demonstration on the Asiatic coast until the British disembarkation had been effected. Details were given o: the landing of the French, Marine and Seugatese forces at a lew squan yards of a ledge under the over-hang mg black mass at Kum Kale whici was bristling with rifles and machine guns. Windmills in the vicinity wen crowded with mitrailleuse, while bat teries in the Tope commanded tin coast. A shell put out of action tin occupants of the First boats, but tin captain jumped into the sea and wad cd ashore, the Senegalese from i string of boats following, and tin ledge was instantly occupied. Mean while, a warship's gun destroyed tin windmills and the mitrailleuse, am the enemy were driven out of tin forts. Furious counter-attacks dail. ensued, and hundreds of the enenr wore killed. So demoralised wen they that they attempted to interfen with the withdrawal of the Frencl f when tne brilliant demonstratioi 1 terminated. THE AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES Melbourne, May 30. Though the authorities are makin every endeavor to expedite the Dai i dandles casualty list, there are ind i cations-that they are in arrears. Whil the local lists total 4539, Sir Georg I Reid’s cables stated that the Austra lian casualties included 550 dead am 5200 wounded.

Speaking in London, Sir George Reid said he was glad that General Birdwood’s head wound was not serious. Beyond this, there is no intormation that General Bird wood has been wounded.

GENERAL BRJEDGES’ DEATH

THE FATAL WOUND.

(Received 9.10 a.in.) Sydney, May HI

Captain Bean cables as follows: — General Bridges was wounded while on route to the firing line. I sually lie was careless of Ids personal safety to the point of recklessness, and would stand in full view of the enemy position. He was often chaffed to he more on refill by members of the staff. On the first day a man who was standing alongside him was shot dead. Latterly he had been more careful, and consented to take cover when shrapnel was breaking right over him. On the morning of his death it was noticed he was especially cautious in approaching the position ho would insnect. Acting on advice he ran across the exposed positions, and was making one of these runs with his staff when he was hit. ’I he bullet cut two (large arteries in his log. Help was instantly at hand and lie was brought to cover. But for the presence of a [doctor he would have died in a tew seconds so great was the loss of blood. [The General’s first words were: “Don’t carry me down. I do not want any of your fellows to rim into danger.” His opposition was overcame, and while the party were returning the Turks perhaps realised there was a wounded man and did not fire.

Captain Bean adds: It has been noticed that while not always a .scrupulous human fighter, the Turk sometimes acts very fairly anti humanely. General Bridges’ last words before he was placed aboard ship was: “Anyhow, I commanded the Australian division for nine months.”

Captain Dean pays a tribute to General Bridges as an able and strong commander who was wholly without fear. Brigadier-General Walker, orinnally chief of General Birdwood’s staff, succeeded to the command of tbe Division.

TURKS AGAIN REPULSED.

(Received 9.15 a.m.) Athens, May 30

The Turks, strongly reinforced, attempted to regain the positions at Gabatepe but were repulsed.