THE STRUGGLE FOR ACHI BABA.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 216, 29 May 1915, Page 3

THE STRUGGLE FOR ACHI BABA.

OFFICIAL DETAILS OF GALLIPOLI OPERATIONS. ACCOUNT OF SEVEN GaXS> HARD : FIGHTING. 3,000 CASUALTIES IN THREE DAYS. WELLINGTON, May 27. The following are extracts from a cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor, relating to the operations on the Gallipoli insula:"On May oth, after the arrival of fresh troops, which included part of a Territorial division, a general advance of the Allied troops took place at .11 a.m., against the Achi Baba portion. A heavy covering fire was maintained by the ships of the Allied fleets, but owing to the high wind, aeroplane observations were extremely difficult. During the nights of May 5 and May G a considerable portion of the Australian and New Zealand army corps had been transferred from Gaba Tepe, in order to take part in the attack. Very severe fighting took place all day, and by nightfall the whole Allied line had advanced from a thousand to fifteen hundred yards. The left of the Allied advance was stopped by a strong Turkish redoubt manned with machine-guns, with the result that after the conclusion of the day's operations the village of Krithia and the Achi Baba ridge still remained in the enemy's hands. Just at dusk, however, the French troops obtained possession of an important tactical point, which was thorough- , ly fortified during the night, to serve as a pivot for further operations. On the following day, May 7th, the attack upon the Achi Baba position was continued. The French troops on the right of the line improved their position and carried several Turkish trenches, while on the left a brigade of infantry, which had relieved the Territorial Brigade, succeeded just before .sunset in driving back the enemy nearly into Krithnia vilalge. The main position of Achi Baba, however, remained in Turkish possession. On May Bth the attack was again resumed. After heavy artillery, machine-guns, and rifle-fire, the French and British troops commenced to advance at 5,30 p.m., and a fine advance in the face of a heavy fire took place, but the main object, namely, the capture of Achi Baba, again failed. During the night the Turks attempted a counter-attack, which was everywhere repulsed with heavy loss. During the day's fighting against' Achi Baba, the Australian and New Zealand corps at Sari Bair in spite of having sent strong reinforcements to support the main attacks, successfully held their own and resisted all the attacks of the enemy. That part of the. fighting which took place in these three days caused three thousand casualties to the British troops, cf which fortunately a large proportion were only slight cases, and those will return quickly to their places in the ranks. It was clearly demonstrated that Turkish defences were strongly constructed, that to carry the position I) yopen assault was a very difficult operation, and that the capture of Achi Baba, which had been converted into a veritable fortress, must be achieved by the slow and methodical methods of I trench warfare. The French troops [throughout these operations had fought with magnificent courage and dash, and. had suffered heavy losses. During May 9th the ground gained everywhere was consolidated, and all progress achieved was brilliantly carried eut by the 15th and 16th Battalions of the Fourth Asutralian Brigade of Infantry, who attacked and carried j with the bayonet three lines of Turkish trenches on Sari Bair - and established themselves therein. A heavy Turkish counter-attack was launched at dawn on May 10th, which drove the Australians back to their original trenches. The guns of the corps were in readiness, and at 5.30 a.m. opened fire on the enemy, beginnng at a range of. 1100 yards, and coming down to 500. The execution done was terrible, and the Turks lay so thick upon the ground as to form an obstacle. During May 10th, 11th, and 12th, further Te-1 inforcements of French, British, and •Australian troops arrived at the Dardanelles, men from the Australian and New Zealand mounted troops having volunteered to serve on foot in support of their comrades at the front. Some much-needed rest was obtained by the troops, who had been fighting incessantly for four days. On the night of May 11th the Turks launched a determined attack on the Indian brigade, which was repulsed with heavy losses. On the night of May 12th the troops of the 29th Division, under Maor-General Hunter-Weston, undertook an attack on the extreme right of the Turkish front, which had so far proved impregnable. One brigade of infantry and artillery on he left centre of the Allitd line made a demonstration. Under cover of this a double company of Ghurkas crept under the precipitous sea cliffs and occupied a clef fc ia.-front of .the Allied ; line, where they., dug themselves in. With mach-ine-guns the Turks opened a heavy-fire,, but made ■ only a.~ half-hearted - attack. On the night:of May iSth the Turlc 'a. jaade three strong.ajijacks on this ad-

vanced position and established themselves yards of the Indian Brigade. However, the left of the Allied line was further advanced and straightened, and the position of the Indian Brigade made secure. On toe night of May 14th the Turks made an attack on .the French troops on the right of the Allied line, but were repulsed with loss. The Territorial Divison further advanced their trenches and gained several hundred yards of greund. On May 17th, ttie 29th Division again worked forward and established themselves in another line of trenches two hundred yards in advance. This had the effect of rendering the position held by the Indian Brigade very much stronger than before. The French troops on the right of the Allied line were attacked, but this was easily repulsed. The enemy also attacked the Australian and New Zealand corps, without success. The Allied artillery Was handled with great success, aided by aeroplane observations, and destroyed by direct hits a Turkish six-inch howitzer gun and exploded waggon-loads of heavy gun ammunition. They also demolished some new Turkish trenches and gun emplacements. On this day General Bridges, commanding the Australian Division, was mortally wounded, and his subsequent death caused an irreparable loss to his command. On the night of May 17th the Terirtorial Division advanced its line of trenches by five hundred yards. A further advance was made on the night of May 18th by the French troops, supported by the Royal Naval Division on the right extremity of the line, and by the 29th and Territorial Divisions in the centre. These advances were consolidated. On May 23rd the French troops attacked the enemy's. advanced trenches, but being heavily counter-attacked, after a severe bombardment they, with difficulty, maintained themselves. The enemy also made determined attacks upon the Indian Brigade and temporarily secured a footing in an advanced portion of the Indian trenches. A counter-attack was immediately organised and the enemy driven back, and every man who had reached our trenehes was hill'cd, including three 'German officers.