THE DARDANELLES

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 59, 9 July 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES

L'.R lAN HAMILTON'S REPORT

United Press Association. London, July 7

General Sir lan Hamilton reports: I The enemy on the northern section begiui a heavy bombardment at four o'clock on the morning of July -1, but the attack died away two hours later without much .damage. About twenty 11.2 shells were dropped from Turkish battleships in the Straits in the southern section. The Turks kept up a heavy musketry lire throughout the night of the 3rd and 4th,,but did not leave their trenches. ! Their batteries at four o'clock in the morning started the most violent bombardment yet experienced, throwing live thousand shells. This was a preliminary to a general attack on our front, with special efforts at certain points. The principal effort was at the junction of the naval division with that of the French. Here the Turks drove back the advanced troops and assaulted a portion of the line held by the naval division. Fifty Turks gained a footing in our trenches. The naval , men held on, and our supports coun-ter-attacked, and hurled (the enemy out of the trench. - V—- ■ Another attack on our right was practically wiped out by our machine* gun and rifle fire. On our left the Turks massed in a nullah north-east of our newly-captured trenches and attempted several attacks, but they failed owing to the steadiness of our troops and the efEectiye artillery support. The enemy bombardment died down at 11 o'clock, though it was resumed at intervals. Not only was the result a, complete failure, but our losses were negligible, and no impression was made on our line. The enemy added largely to his recent heavy casaulties. It is plain from the disjointed nature of his attacks that the enemy is finding difficulty to drive his infantry to face our fire.

CONSTANTINOPLE REPORTS.

London, July 8

Constantinople is gloomy owing to the continued arrival of wounded Turks instead of British and French prisoners, whom the people were led to expect. There is much relief hecause British submarines are abstaining from torpedoing passenger steamers, but the transport of troops is greatly restricted. There have been frequent fires, causing grave disquietude, 2500 houses being burned last week, and there are fresh outbreaks nightly. The police have arrested maiiy foreigners on charges of incendiarism.

DESTRUCTION OF ENEMY SHIPS.

London, July 8

The Daily Telegraph's Athens correspondent reports that a French destroyer toured the coast of Asia Minor from Chios to Kioamba, and destroyed twelve vessels acting as supply ships to the enemy. The destroyer also set fire to the Virinen forest. Another French destroyer bombarded Tchesme and Adalia, destroying the lighthouse and Customs station, besides sinking twelve ships.

THE TURKISH REINFORCEMENTS.

(Received 8.55 a.m.) Athens, July 8

The Turkish reinforcements in the latest fighting on Gallipoli Peninsula included the First and Second Army Corps, who are the most warlike troops in the Empire, and are composed of Arabs, Kurds and Albanians. It is estimated they lost 20,000 killed and wounded in the recent attacks.