The Dardanelles.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 83, 6 August 1915, Page 5

The Dardanelles.

iMENTIONED IN DESPATCHES. HONORS: FOR COLONIALS. United Press Association. London. August •">. Sir lan Hamilton. in a despatch, mentions the following Imperial officers attached to the Australian and New Zealand Forces:— Australians: Colonels K. Carrutli- ' ers. N. Walker, and A. Skeen ; LieutColonel !)e Lotbiniere; Major Villiers ' Stuart; Lieutenant t\ Keeling. j New Zealandors: Major-General Godley. Lieutenant-Colonels Richardson. Plugge, I\ Stewart. Malone, and I'earless. Colonel Chayter. .Major Waite. C. Smith, Turnbull, Hart, 10. O'Neill, and Neale. Captains Walling- ' lord. Salmonson. and Craig. Lieutenants Newbould, Neshet, Cowan, and F. Wilson. Sorgeanl-Major Porteous. ' Sergeant Wallace. Corporal Salmon. ' and Singelton. Sappers Carlyon and Grimshiiw, Privates Teinpany, Stockdill, Findlay, Hayden. Swann, Com-' lie. C. Watson. Hean. and W. Henry.

Distinguished Service Medals have been awarded to the following New Zealanders: Lance-Corporal Fear, conspicuous gallantry on June !) and

10 at Gaha Tepe, in volunteering to demolish a Turkish blockhouse within twelve yards of the enemy's trenches, which could only be approached over machine-gun swept ground. Fear exhibited great skill in approaching and demolishing the blockhouse, being exposed to fire for an hour. Sapper Hodges, for great gallantry on June S) and 10, similar to Fear's exploit. Private R. .MeLood. lor conspicuous gallantry on May S. south of Krithia. He was one of a party carrying ammunition and advanced to the trenches under heavy lire, the majority being unable to proceed. McLeod, although wounded in the leg. performed his task and returned. Not having reported 'himself wounded, he was again detailed to cany ammunition, which he performed.

Private F. O'Connor. on .May 8, near Kritbia. for distinguished services in the firing line until severely wounded, losing his right eye. He was previously twice wounded, and his gallant example was of great value. Private (!. Wilson, during operations on May 8, south of Kritbia. for great gallantry in carrying important messages under fire. WORK ON THE FIELD. MR ASHMEAD BARTLETTS REPORT. London. August 5. Mi: Ashmead Bartlett, in a report, dated .Inly 16, said that the positions of the Australians and New Zealanders were unchanged. In six wceeks they had: occupied an area which ex-, tended only two thousand yards from the seashore northward, but in the interior the position had changed out of all-recognition, since the landing. The conosolidation process had made everything comfortable and secure. The stateinate cannot last for ever, and when the moment arrives for a big push all along tiie line the Colonials will certainly resume the active role, for which they are peculiarly litted by temperament and training. They are desperately eager to advance. They have obtained a complete local mastery, deciding whether the daily round shall be a truce or constant sniping, bomb-throwing and mining. Since (heir last repulse, the Turks have not been aggressive, but are content to sit in the trenches, and postpone a trial of strength with such a formidable enemy. Although r.ot so spectacular as thy periodical Ik" t-sJi advances, the Colonials' work Is equally useful, and has entailed enormous physical labor, besides inflicting heavy Turkish losses. The German commanders realise the ever-present danger that if the innumerable trenches are depict »d the Colonials will promptly break ihrough. The great Turkish attempts nave been an utter fiasco. Now that our tire trenches are impregnable, the danger ; period has passed; but the continuous fighting brings heavy casualties to both sides. ATTACKS AND COUNTERATTACKS. Local attacks and counter-attacks are incessant, and bomb-throwing, mining, and trench digging keep the Australians and New Zealauders busy. They have gained invaluable experience in this kind of warfare, as the soft, sandy soils entail constant repairs to collapsed trenches.

The Turks sometimes amuse themselves by shelling the entire section, which must then lie rebuilt along the ridge a few feet wide. The enemy is a lew yards in front of a sheer precipice, with shifting sand behind, and a glimpse through a periscope shows the Turks are in the same difficulties. With spades they are always shovelling earth lor dear life.

Our outer defence line is not a complete semi-circle, as the Turks hold i section. Shrapnel six weeks ago made it unpleasant to visit Quiuu's Post, and Courtenay's Post, but tolay the indefatigable energy of the men from "down under" lias enabled the reaching of the fire trenches to be accomplished in comparative safety. Flie Turks dare not expose themselves for a second longer than to snipe. Down Shrapnel Valley the New Zealauders' and Australians' Light Horse ire entrenched, and have obtained a complete lire supremacy.

They have cheeiTully laced the labor of bringing ammunition and

'stores, especially water, up to the ibarren cliffs. Of amazing physique. no European nation possesses anything to compare with them. The Pnissian Guard are picked men, bin are fat and ungainly compared with the colonials, who arc great, big-limo-'ed athletes, with not a pound of superfluous flesh among the lot. ttu\*

are not so much an army as a community, who have come together for ;i job. and have framed their own laws to (jury it out. They work in little groups and are united either by home [ties or mutual regard. These groups discipline themselves. When ord-n-d

to carry water they do not march I smartly at the obedience of a noncommissioned officer, but saunter J slowly, sit down, and light their pipes. contemplating the work. Probably, a millionaire, a cowboy, a doctor c a. clerk among them is the tin uiieial leader of the gang, and he presently ris,. s slowly, and says: "Well, hoys it's got to, be done; the quicker the better we get it over." Then they 'start work like niggers .never stopping' and never slacking until it is finished, THE NAKED ARMY. Not since the last charge of the Dervishers at Omdnrman has such a naked army been seen in the field. The British Tommy works sweating in a boiling sun without removing 'a single pack, but it is difficult to .find an Australian-or a New Zealander [wearing anything except a pair ol shorts and probablv these are only due to a feeling of decency. At first their coats went, then their shirts, underclothes, and boots. Their huge frames and giant limbs are burnt a dull brick-red. A learned entomologist, suddenly discovering them, would probably classify them as a surviving branch of the American Indians. Excellent sea bathing alone has rendered the campaign tolerable, and the procession of naked warriors beachwards increases at sunrise and sunset, regardless of snipers and bursting shrapnel. | QUINN'S POST NOW IMPREGNABLE. Owing to the proximity of the Hues at this point, hand grenades and trench mortars are the chief weapons. There was a very deadly struggle at Quinn's Post, which was long a Noman's Land, both sides waiting the opportunity. The skilled New Zealand miners finally captured it. and since have held it firmly. They have dug a network of trenches, tunnels and bomb-proof shelters* supported by beams. The Turks endeavoured to blow up this new defence, but the New Zealanders counter-mined, .and blew up the enemy instead. Snipers are forcing the Turks further back, and Quinn's Post is now impregnable. It is quite comfortable, and t't> underground living is popular, being coot, and there is excellent coyer. Many dead Turks are lying on neutral ground, in a maze of barbed-'wire. 'The Turks' first lesson is to hide, and never disclose his numbers. When the Australians .were tiring of inactivity, and wondering whether the Turks remained in any strength. a British aeroplane passed over, flyig low. The Turks could not resist, jumping up and volleying at the intrepid airman. The lifeless trenches fairly bristled with bayonets, showing the importance the Turks attach to the position. The Turkish guns are constantly shelling the Australian and New Zealand positions, and there is one gun the colonials are longing to have a reckoning with.