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Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 282, 7 May 1915, Page 4

OUR- IiABS* BAPTISM. It is a very stirring story that is told in our cable columns this morning of the landing ami subsequent fighting of our boys on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and serves to explain the enthusiasm of the authorities at Home that had its expression in the early congratulatory telegrams. Tllera is not one in New Zealand who expected our lads to do other than, well when they were put to it. If there were any apprehension felt as to how they would emerge from their baptism of fire, it was that their impetuosity might lead them from the control of their higher olTieers, and lead them into hot quarters But it was precisely that display of this quality of impetuosity that carried them through. It was no ordinary task that was set them. They had to wade ashore, neck deep, surmount the obstacles that the wily fienpan-officercM Turk had placed in their way, scramble up the banks, honeycombed with deep, spiked pits, under a terrific fire of shrapnel, machine-gun and rifles. Then they had to storm in the face of this hail of bullets the ridges held by the Turks. But they were equal to the task. One. can imagine how fit they were, after their long period of training, for this supreme effort, and how eager they were to show their mettle and cross swords with the enemy. Nothing topped them. They dashed into the Turks holding the positions, overcame them with the bayonet, and then 'proceeded to consolidate their positions. The casualties were heavy, as was to be expected from the nature of the charge, but very many were slight, and the men should soon, be back in the firing line. It was an auspicious baptism for our men, who since have had a great deal more of similar stern work to perform. It has resolved itself into a series of battles, but, assisted by the fleet, the troops have made steady progress all along their respective lines. iA- force is being thrown across the peninsula, probably near Bulair, the neck of the bottle, enabling the Allies to isolate and capture the Turks on the peninsula and prevent reinforcements reaching them. The colonials have been given the important part of converging on that position of the peninsula that dominates The Narrows, the key to the Dardanelles. Once in possession of this, the Allied navy can steam right through to Constantinople, which would fall an easy prey to the big naval guns, and the fate of Turkey in Europe would he sealed. Further news of the operations in the Dardanelles will he awaited with considerable interest and anxiety by New Zealandors.