The Dardanelles.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 40, 22 January 1916, Page 5

The Dardanelles.

VIVID FT J FEY OF THE E VACUAi 'I I all. !■ {Unjtxu Dc.KmM Association. ( I,',’iub U, .1; Hilary Vd. No ncic \ i\ip • c •!ui ioI ti:e evncu-al-ion o l ,'.u ’/,■ ■.■ In: i*<•c.-n rnuleicd loan ihi;t given in a medical officer's diary, published in the Manchester Guardian, j W riting on lOtii December, be says: j“J am astonished to learn that we imay lie leaving with the gnus. December lltli ; Received orders to evacuate with' all hospital cases, j December 12: We have been I told secretly to be ready to embark at 'any moment. The weather is dead calm. There is much excitement, as it is a terribly difficult feat, and any mishap may mean great disaster. December 13th,—The evacuation is i proceeding steadily. Weather is (threatening, and landing is difficult enough. The final evacuation will be a desperate business. -Many gnus have been shipped. Anafarta Plain already has a deserted appearance. We live in expectation of an attack at any moment. All stores have been transported this evening to the embarkation point. The final scene will lie thrilling. The casualties are estimated at, possibly, six thousand to ten thousand. i have learnt later that the last troops to he withdrawn will be the old -Main Body of Australians and New Zealanders, the first men to land and the last to leave. They have played a glorious part. December to.—Wo expect to leave to-morrow night, the eve of our final retreat. It has been a very trying day; the line is precariously thin, and only a few cannon are left, which fire a great deal to compensate for the others. If the Turks had attacked strongly nothing could have saved disaster. Their artillery have scarcely fired for two days. Our warships have been firing incessantly at Capo Helles. Perhaps the Turks think we will try another assault on A chi Baba. The weather is fine and we have never studied the sky with so much apprehension.

December 16.—The day has passed uneventful, but it was an anxious uigiit. The roads and saps seem deserted. and it seems impossible that the Turks do not realise what we are doing.

December 17.—We have got definite orders to depart to-morrow night. The suspense is trying. The Turks are extraordinarily quiet. Our few guns make a brave show.

December 18.—The whole place seems deserted. We could not wish for better weather for the grand finale. Our aeroplanes are aloft all the day long and have kept oil enemy observers. The garrison has been reduced, and to-morrow the remainder will embark, or, rather, what is left of them. The evacuation lias hitherto been a tremendous success. To-morrow night will bo a very critical one.

December 19th.—Wa left Anzac last evening and. marched to a sap leading to the pier. Not a word was spoken and not a match was struck as wc proceeded rapidly and silently in the darkness. All were'“keyed up, and feared to hear rifle lire, or that at ain moment a tew shells would bmst neai the pier. We embarked with wondeiful despatch. The wharf was covered with sacks to deaden our footfalls. We reached Mudros early this morning and arrived in camp. Turning in we slept a deep and long sleep, as all were terribly weary from the strain. The first of the Anzac “Diehards’ arrived this afternoon, and the last .came in at Jive o’clock. Turning, thej ■marched down the road for a mile, between lines of cheering troops, and very proud they looked as the men cheered. No one can ever forget those strained, exhausted, but dauntless faces. Their only casualties were three sprained guides. The troops are as full of light as ever, and will yet win some great battle. liOiitiOii. January 20. t

Fifty Now Zealanders attended the House of Commons as guests of .) C. Wason. and evinced the keenest interest in the Dardanelles question. They were afterwards entertained at tea on the Terrace. In the debate on the Suvla Hay at fnir Mr Redmond asked Air Asqmt . whether, in view of the imputation, on the corps divisional commanders a. Suvla Hav contained m General Hamilton’s despatch, the Government would order an inquiry and mvestiga - the circumstances attending the <> s of life owing to the absence « art. ■ lerv and the failure ol the l-“tn support the infantry; also, whothu General Stcptord had asked for am ». Iqniry regarding the eicun.stanees » the landing at Suvla. ami .t such ... quiry would ho held forthwith I Mr Asquith said that the >o\c* ment, after careful consideration, ha,

oncluded that no such luqim.v was iracticahle at present., as officers on hi be needed to constitute a tnunal, and many nece-Onvv v.iinosss could not be withdrawn ivoin active 'nice. (Jencral ‘■topiord hid asked or an inquiry. Mr Dillon said that an opportunity Mould lie p;iven to the officers conerned to write their versions oi the natter, as some might he killed .n the war. .Mr Asquith said it was a most denote matter. All he would say and could do was his utmost to secure tinally an ample inquiry with lull .entice to all concerned. Sir H. d. Dal/.iell: Will you fiive •Hi assurance that greater care will bo .alien in the future selection of generals F Air Asquith: Every cave is taken. Mr Redmond: Is there any objection to members of the House seeing the War Office documents, which have already been shown to some members. Mr Asquith asked for notice of the jiiestion.