BATTLE OF BARI

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 4 September 1915, Page 5

BATTLE OF BARI

AUSTRALASIANS' FECKLESS BRAVEeV CORRESPONDENT'S THRILLING NARATIVE THF RFTHFHT 1111 b IIV I BBfaaUd — i—,,. , ■ . .-< THEY MOVE WITH DELIBERATION SAFE II TEN DAYS I'LL* illi fl||f Bjlfl ii HI I V U&■lfH a |a ULnlflA-NI ft Mil 10 rt&ht AMERICAN EXCHANGE MARKET MANIPULATION

BATTLE OP SARI BAIR. ' A THRILLING NARRATIVE. ANZACS' RECKLESS BRAVEST. UTTER DISREGAED FOR LIFE. FALLEN CHOKE THE TRENCHES. THE TUEKS LOSE 7.000. LONDON, Sept. 2. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, in a despatch •dated the 9th, states: Since the grcav est battle in Gallipoli closed on the 10th both armies have been busy consolidating their positions, replenishing their ammunition, and reorganising their units, which became intermingled

, cover of darkness. There has been no finer feat in the whole war than the manner in which the troops destined for the main movement against Sari Bair deployed for the attack. A direct attack was not attempted, as it would have entailed immense losses and probably failure, because the Turks posted on the hills surrounding Anzac held the inner position in a vyce. Therefore the only stacks were on Lone Pine, sorties from Quinn's Post, Russell's Top andPor. Post north-eastward of Anzac in order to hold the enemy in the trenches. The Australians' most advanced ■>utpost was beyond the fisherman's hv.i. The intervening gap of flat ground was connected by a wide gap which it wag impossible to cross iu daylight. Millions of rounds of ammuntion and thousands of shells were carried to the advanced posts along the °;ap in the daytime ,or along the beach in the night-time. This operation, together with the arrival of strong Australian reinforcements, was kept a profound secret. Before the Australians could deploy over the wide front of spurs and ravines giving access to Sari Bair it was necessary to tak? a number of outlying posts. This involved a preliminary move due north over broken ground in total darkness, then a wheel .due east for the purpose of assaulting the main ridge. As on the previous night the warships thredout their searchlights and bombarded the Turkish positions. The Turks did not suspect an infantry attack, and when the searchlights were playing on another position the AustraMans dashed forward, capturing a succession of outposts. By daybreak the whole force was slowly "moving towards the main Sari position in the face of great difficulties, harrassed by snipers, and checked by the difficulties of the ground and the scarcity of water. At dawn on the 7th the left of our line had reached the Asmadere positions. The Indians had advanced a long way towards Chunuk Bair and had reached the farm, whilst the New Zealanders were on the Rhododerdron spur ridge; it was decided to postpone the farther advance until nightfall. The Turkish snipers everywhere harrassed our lines throughout the day. The advance was resumed at four in the morning of the Bth. The Australians' left adavneed from Asmadere to Abdelrah Mahair, whence it was hoped that they could wheel? to the right and attack Kojachemen. Little or no progress was possible in this attack. The Turks were in groat strength and at one time threatened to surround the force which had withdrawn to the original position at j Asmadere, where they held out the day J long against determined attacks. Throughout the day and night the , New Zealanders, although thoroughly ! exhausted, maintained their hold on i Chunuk Bair. Two other regiments relieved during the night. The Turks, strongly reinforced, desperately attacked at dawn on the 10th, from Chunuk Bair, Hill G., hurling themselves, regardless of life, against the two regiments. They desperately resisted, but were driven by artillery fire and sheer weight of numbers further down the slope. The Turks, following - up this success, charged right over the crest towards a gully southward of the Rhododendron Ridge, with a view to penetrating between our line and Ihe Anzac position, but they reckoned without our artillery and ship guns. The New Zealanders determinedv i>?~ saulted Rhododendron Crest and "gained the south-western slope of Cliunu?c Bair, the Indians advancing on their left. Again exhaustion, the "scarcity of water, and the numerous wounded compelled a cessation until nightfall. It was then planned that three col-

in the rugged mountainous country.

I visited the ground where the Anzac Corps advanced by desperate efforts for four days to reach the crest of Sari Bair, commanding a ridge giving access to the highest peak, namely, Hojachemen, which is torn asunder by a giant ravine. The New Zealand Infan try Brigade, the Ghurkas, and other battalions almost reached their objective, but were unable to hold on from no fault of their own. A battailon of Ghurkas actually reached the crest plateau, but at the same moment the Turks, taking advantage of the confusion, counter-attacked with great force and drove the Ghurkas back to the lower spurs.

Survivors who obtained views of the promised land describe the waters cf the Dardanelles as lying beneath with Turkish transport steaming southward. The position also looks down -on the Narrows to Kilid Bahr.

There was bitter disappointment at relinguishing the crest when it was almost in our grasp, "after so many months, but there was no alternative. The Anzacs fought like lions, and actually accomplished a feat almost without parallel in climbing those heights, although handcapped by the failure of another corps to make good its positions on the Anafarta hills further north for the purpose of checking the enemy's shell fire. When details of the complicated operations are sifted they will) form one of the most fascinating pages of the war's history. It was a combat between giants in a giant's country. An outstanding fact was the marvellous hardihood, tenacity and reckless courage of the Australians and New Zealanders, but we wiU not forget the part played by a division of the new English Army.

The Turks massed their forces and counter-attacked desperately for three days and nights. They frequently retook sections, only to be driven out. Ther was an extraordinary struggle almost entirely underground. Both sides paid utter disregard to life, and the wounded and dead choked the trenches almost to the top. The survivors carried on the fight over the

heaps of corpses. Despite the most determined courage of the reinforced Turks., the Australians held their ground, and finally tno Turks wearied of the struggle. The trenches were no v.- merely battered shambles. The removal of the dead and wounded occupied days. The bodies of a thousand Turks and C 01... ... onials were removed from the trenches, and hundreds more were outside. The Turkish losses in this section alone are •estimated at 5,000, chiefly incurred in ■ counter-attacks. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, continuing, says: Although the capture of Lone Pine entailed most desperate hand-to-hand fighting that has yet taken place on "the peninsula, it was merely a diversion, and preliminary to ike main movement northwards, which com■iiaenced on the same evening under

i umns of New Zealandcrs and Indians, ' ami another brigade, should finally .v,sault Chunuk Bair at daybreak on the 9th, preceded by a naval and land bombardment. The advance of the third column was delayed by the broken ground and the resistance of the enemy. Meanwhile, the Gburkas gallantly swarmed the slopes and reached the crest, and obtained a vision of the other side. Unfortunately, they were unable to retain the position in the face of violent counter-attacks and shell-lire. Meanwhile, a great Turkish force counter-attacked and compelled the other brigade upon the left to withdraw to the lower slopes. The warships and land batteries plainly observed the great charge of four successive lines of infantry i?i close formation, and caught them in a trap. Their momentum down the bill prevented them from recoilijg in time and they were swept away by hundreds by the terrific storm of high explosives, shrapnel, and common shells, from the ships' guns, howitzers, and field pieces. Never since the commencement of the campaign has such a target delighted the hearts of outgunners. Huge shells from the warships throw hvore chunks of soil skywards, minjrled with human bodies, which fell in the deep ravines. Evo-i tin's concentration of the artilWv might not have checked them, but ten machine-guns rattled at. ?hort ranjre until the guns smoked with heat. Hardly a Turk reached the hills again. Their • lines got mixed up. Those seeking to retitre clashed with others who were pressing forward. Some tied back over the crest towards the safety of the trenches, others dashed downwards to the ravines, where the shrapnel searched them out. The eit're division yn's a few minutes. The Turks thus paid r terrible price for their success in re- ! gaining the crest. Portions of the line on Rhododendron Crest were compelled to give ground, the Turks fighting desperately, realising the preeariousnes? of their position. The magnificent, conduct of our officers saved the day. Generals and Colonels fought with bayonets alongside the privates. Nobody knew how his comrade was faring amongst the scrub. Many commanding officers were killed. Gradually, our lost ground was regained and at nlgnr-" fall on the 10th the fighting died down through sheer exhaustion of both armies, and the impossibility of ftr her physical effort. Thus ended tlv most ferocious and sustained soldiers' battle since -Inkermann, that lasted ■■

landing. Our centre and right were in front of Chocolate Hili, and from the trenches on th e plain southward, were converging in an assault wihich had for its main objective Hill 112. By great effort the troops massed along the line from 70 to 112. A division of Yeomanry was held in reserve behind Lalababa. A brigade of infantry was ordered to attack Hill 70 and another to attack Hill 112. Three were head in reserve. The divisions holding the trenches on the plain southward were ordered to rush the trenches on their front, to wheel northward and converge on Hill 112 from the south. (Reed noon) LONDON, Sept 3.

The correspondent says it was not through want of trying we failed in the great strategic scheme for getting; astride the Peninsula, northward of Anzac, by seizing the Anafarta 'hills, and forcing the Turks to abandon the position before Achi Baba and Kilid Bahr salient.

One corps failed in it? assigned task of dashing through with a rush Avben the enemy was completely surprised, and We <had only a few battalions and picked gendarmes opposing us. Another point was that it was essential for our trocps to advance in very open order. This operation involved troops becoming wid'eily separated from their officers and comrades, and inquired troop s highly trained in smashing and in self-reliance; in every man dashing on the objective on his own account and not stopping for orders. When the first attempt to seizure on Anafarta ihills definitely broken down on the morning of th e 10th, tim.3 was required to reorganise units, collect wounded, and to land ammunition and artillery brfcre further attempt was possible. Not untijl {the 23/5t wals the army rteady for a frontal attack in this quarter. Prizes rewarding success were great, and fully justified a supreme effort. GERMAN PPEACE PROPOSALS^ AN EXTRAORDINARY SUGGESTION (Reed 8.55 a.m) WASHINGTON, Sept 3. Peace proposals., believed to eminate from Germany, have been placed before President Wilson. It i s understood also that tl'he Pope is forwarding a lett-r, attempting to induce America to intervene with a view to stopping bloodshed. It is believed an effort is pending to induce leading neutrals to act on Germany's behalf. THE HUNS' PIRATICAL WORKLONDON, Sept 3. , I For the week ending- the Ist September there w,er e 1333 arrivals and ' departures.. Three vessels were sunk, aggregating 6757 tons. 'TWO MORE STEAMERS SUNK. LONDON, Sept 3. Th e steamers W{hltefield and Savona were submarined and sunk. .Three of the crew of the latter perished. DANES PROHIBIT SUGAR EXPORT. COPENHAGEN, Sept 3. The Government has prohibited the export of sugar. LOYAL INDIA. ' i SOME MUNIFICENT GIFTS. A SPLENDID EXAMPLE. j FOR OUR OWN PEOPLE. SIMLA, Sept 3. Latest gifts from Indian Princes include: Maharaja Holykar, of Indore, one lakjh of rupees for providing comforts for Indian Princes on service; Maharaja of Scindia and Gwalior, one lakh to the Minister for Munitions; Maharaja Bhvanahar, the use of workshops and State Hosptal for wounded Indians; Roni Dahr, £7OO to the Queen for relief of wounded; Chief of Sanoli, 30,000 rupees for the purchase of motor ambulances; Prime Minister of Nepal, 340 Nepalese mechanics to manufacture munitions; Maharaja of Kolhapur, 3„000 rupees, subscribed by officers for motor ambulance; Rajah of Manipur, four motor ambulances; Junagarah Durbar, three armed aeroplanes; Rajah of Bariya, a State hospital for wounded Indian's; Thakjur Sahib of Morvi, Avcrkshops to manufacture munitions; Malharaja of Newa, a second aeroplane for use in Mesopotamia; Maharaja and Mabarani of Bikanirs, £IOO to relief funds.

few hours. Englishmen. Australians, New Zealanders, Maoris. Gurkhas, and Sikhs were engaged in the terrible combat on the bloodstained hilfis for four da3-s and nights, at a height of 900 ft, whither supplies were carried up paths which did not exist, except on the map. The operations resulted in the extension of the Anzac's position. There is no longer the stifled feeling of troops crowded into a restricted area. The line now rum northward Until it links up with the corps before Anafarta. We hold the foot-hills, are established beneath the crest of Chunuk Bair, and are securely dug-in on the summit of Rhododendron Eidge and are awaiting events complacently, in a manner characteristic of Colonial and Britisher, not downhearted, and wilding for another try. The incompleteness of our success was not the fault of those troops advancing .-Prom Anzac. A little less dead weight ;,f Turkish numbers would have enabled the Anzaes to consolidate the short and desperate grip they had. Chunuk Bair is a scene of desolation. Between the Ines masses of Turks lie where they fell, many thrown out their trenches to make room for the living. At one point an Australian, an 'Englishman, and a Maori and Gurkha are lying side by side, marking the highest point the ImperaD forces have attained on the peninsula.

(Reed 10.30 a.m.) ' LONDON. Sept 3. The Turks made full use of the ten days' interval, and knowing definitely wher e the main blow would fall, were able to release divisions stationed round Bulair and concentrate at some threatened point with a hope of our effecting a surprise would vanish. It was obvious that only a frontal at- j tack and sheer hard fighting would 3 take the lines between Hill 70, known as Burnt Hill, and Hill. 112. The Turks following their invariable practice were dug in up to the necks and! early dawn disclosed new trenches. Tfae manner they had searched our i beaches ana cam Ps with shell fire in-' dicated that several fresh batteries; had been brought to this front. The position of our dine wasi hardly changed, but we secured by digging in permanent trenches right across the low ground in front of Anafarta and out into the plain southward, and connecting b,y a series of posts with the Australian left flank. Opposite our front the Turks had dug two trench lines of immense strength which they carefully loepholed. (Reed 12:30 p,m) f>rr : }r:' J ' ■- ■■;.■ lonbon, sept 3. Our immediate objective on the left wa<, the capture of Hill 70. which was lyinrr in front of our main position and which causal s» ranch trouble on our

INDIA PROHIBITS EXPORT. HESSIAN CLOTH AND BAGS. (Reed 8.55 a.m) CALCUTTA, Sept 3. The exportation of hessian cloth and bags, except to Britain, is nrohibited. At tlhe same time the Government is arranging- for a increase of output. There fe no prohibition on the export of s&eldng goods.