FIGHTING AT THE DARDANELLES

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 338, 15 November 1915, Page 3

FIGHTING AT THE DARDANELLES

RECENT FIGHTING ON GALLIPOLI SPECIAL ORDER BY SIR lAN HAMILTON. WARM PRAISE FOR OVERSEAS TROOPS. THE SINKING OF THE SOUTH- . LAND. (From Malcolm Ross, Official Correspondent with the N.Z. Forces.) Galliopii, Pth September Since the brilliant capture of Knoll 60 there has been little lighting on the grand scale in the Anzac zone. The contending forces have been engaged mainly in a desultory shelling of each other’s guns and positions, in bombing and sniping from the trenches, and in strengthening the positions taken on the one hand and still held on the other. On some days there is practically nothing doing, and the war seems to have taken on quite a gentlemanly aspect. But all the time we know that the rival forces are carefully watching each other, and are making all possible preparations for eventualities.

Aii appreciation of the excellent work recently accomplished by the Australian and New Zealand troops has been conveyed to them in a special order issued by Sir lan Hamilton, the text, of which will be read with some degree of pride in New Zealand. It runs as follows;■—

‘ ‘ General Headquarters, “Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, 7th September, 1915.

“The Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, desires formally to record the fine feat of arms achieved by the troops under the command of Lieut.-General Sir W. It Blrdwood during ' the battle of Sari Bair. “The fervent desire of alii ranks to close with the enemy, the impetuosity of their onset, and the steadfast valour with which they maintained the long struggle—those will surely make appeal to their fellow-countrymen all over the world.

“The gallant capture of the almost impregnable Lone Fine trenches by the Australian Division, and the equally gallant defence of the position against repeated counter-attacks, are exploits which will live in history. The determined assaults carried out from other parts of the Australian Division’s line were also of inestimable service to the whole force, preventing as they did the movement of large bodies of reinforcements to the northern flank. “The troops under the command of Major-General Sir A. J. Godley, and particularly the New Zealand and Australian Division, were called upon to carry out one of the most difficult military operations that has ever bee', attempted—a night march and assault by several columns in intricate moun tainous country, strongly entrenched, and held by a numerous and determined enemy. Their brilliant conduct during this operation, and the success they achieved, have won for them a reputation as soldiers of whom any country must bo proud.

“To the Australian and New Zeaalnd Army Corps, therefore, and to those who were associated with that famous corps in the battle of Sari Bair • —the Maoris, Sikhs. Gurkhas, and the new troops of the 10th and 13th Divisions from the Old Country —Sir lan Hamilton tenders his appreciation of their ports, his admiration of their gallantry, and his thanks for their achievements. It is an honour to command a force which numbers such men as those in its ranks, and it is the Commander-in-Chief ’s high privilege to acknowledge that honour.

“W. P. BRAITHWAITE, ‘ ‘ Major-General, “Chief of the General Staff. THE SOUTHLAND INCIDENT,

The only other incident of special interest to Australia and New Zealand that has recently occurred relates to the torpedoing of the Southland, formerly a Dutch steamer, by an enemy submarine about 25 miles from Lemnos. The submarine fired two torpedoes, the first taking effect and the second just missing the stern of the vessel by a few feet. The troopship had on board a new Australian Division and some 35 New Zealanders, the latter being artillery reinforcements. The troops were quickly got into the boats, and. though a number of them were in the water for an hour or more, there was little loss of life. Wireless messages wore sent out for assistance and several vessels responded. Only three Now Zealanders lost their lives, one being killed instantaneously by the bursting torpedo, and the other two drowned. The crew at once took to the boats, but some 25 of the. colonial troops gallantly went below and stoked the ship into port, where she was beached in a sinking condition. The gallant conduct of these men and the splendid behaviour of the troops generally was worthy of the best traditions of the race, and. upon the circumstances becoming known at Anzac, was made the subject of the following special) order fror Army Corps Headquarters:—

“Army Corps Headquarters, ■ 7th September. 1915

"In welcoming the 2nd Australia', Division to join the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, the Genera] Officer Commanding, on behalf of all of their comrades now serving on th<Peninsula, wishes to convey to them our general feeling of admiration fothe gallant behaviour of all ranks on board the transport Southland, wliethat vessel was torpedoed on the 2nd inst.

“ All troops of the Empire new serving with the Army Corps have hoard with pride of the courage and discipline shown at a moment when the nerves of the bravest were liable to be so highly tried. Not only was there not the slightest confusion on the parr of the troops, who quietly fell in prepared to meet whatever fate might lie in store for them, but later on, when there was a prospect of the Southland ■being able to make her way under her own steam, and volunteer stokers were called for, men at once came forward for this duty, and successfully helped in getting the Southland into Mudrcs.

“The 2nd Australian Division knows well the high reputation it has to live up to to carry on the brave

j deeds done by those whose have been

lire earlier in the campaign, but with men like those on the Southland we are fully assured that our new comrades are going to prove themselves equal in all ways to the old hands who have fought so well.”