The Dardanelles.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 284, 10 May 1915, Page 5

The Dardanelles.

COLONIALS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED. "A THUNDIiKSTOIiM OF SIIKi.LS.'" « ') ' OUR'MEN REFUSE TO BUDGE. SI.IA.PIC WKLL UXIJKII I'J.UK. IXCKHSANT TURKISH ATTACKS. lieceived May !), 10.15 a.m. London, May 8. Continuing his narrative of the operations at tin? Dardanelles, Mr. Ashniead Uartlett, the war correspondent, who is the oilicial representative at the Dardanelles of the London newspapers, snvs that throughout the night of April 2(itli the Turks harrassed our lines by creep- »>« "P «nd endeavoring to snipe the. Australians in the sheltered trenches, hut never daring to press an attack, although they were in overwhelming numbers. The Turks paid dearly for their temerity, for one section of New Zealanders made a bayonet V'l large, driving oil' the Turks, whose disorder was obvious.

On the morning of April -7 the Turks l ad not recovered from the terrible hammering of the 2(ith and they had 110 stomach for another big attack, ttntrenehments were now iirnily established in a semi-circle along the front of the whole foreshore, which was being used for the disembarkation of troom, supplies, guns, and ammunitions. The colonials' position was also immeasurably improved bv the landing of fieldguns and several Indian mountain batteries.

The Turks evidently intended to drive the Australasians hack to'(he sea mi the UOtli, when they made a great <•011centration of infantry, and weru lima*in;,' in shrapnel fire, expecting to find th>' line thinly held and tin; men exhausted by hisses and exertion during the lamlinj;. I'lie Turks were soon disillusioned, for these Australasians xvere determined to die to a mail rather than surrender the ground so dearly won. Iv.-rry man knew the only hope of safety lay in victory, as it was impossible to reembark the army once the ring of hills commanding the beach were lost. Mo-it of the troops, when under fire for the first time, especially the volunteers with a few months' training, keenly feel the losses at the beginning, especially if they occur before they have time to settle down, but these colonials were the exception to the rule. Despite heavy losses the survivors were keen.

A RAIX OF SIIRAPXEL. Throughout the 27th the cwny resorted to new tactics 111 the hope of driving the colonials oll'shore and preventing supplies and reinforcements reaching the beach. The enemy 011 the l night of the 2(ith brought up many field guns, with which they opened a tremendous bombardment of the foreshore and the sea. They kept up an incessant lain of shrapnel on the trenches, but could no longer enfilade the beach, as every attempt to place guns was immediately checked by a few well-timed salvos from the warships. The Turkish gunners tried to put a great curtain of shrapnel over the sea between the warship-i and the 'transports and the shore presented an miming sight. Scores of shells were bursting and churning up the water like great hailstorms. Some fell far out but others made a great danger zone, through which the boats and trawlers had to pass.

This hail of lead did not make the slightest difference to the gallant crews of the pinnaces, boats, lighters, and tugs, who took as much notice, as if it was a tropical thunderstorm. The spectacular effect of the bombardment was magnificent, but the damage practically nil. The warships throughout the 27th incessantly fired at any of the enemy's infantry attempting to advance. Hydroplanes did excellent work directing the lire on the guns inland. The ships' indirect firing is daily becoming more efficient, and is now so accurate that nothing is allowed to live provided tho target is accurately spotted, Tho Turks frequently lire heavy guns from the other side of the peninsula, hoping to blow holes in the transports, but they have not yet succeeded. If a Turkish warship in the Straits makes an attempt, a salvo from the Allies' ships speedily forces her up the channel.

.SCENIC OF ACTIVITY ON SHORE. The scene ashore is one of interest and activity. One, lands in an avalanche of shrapnel and tinds the regiments waiting on the beach before moving into'the trenches. The fatigue parties are unloading boats and lighters, mule teams are endeavoring to drag field-guns, into position, Indians are conveying mountain guns, dressing stations are tending the woUnded, telegraph and telephone units are laying wires, and in the meanwhile landing parties from the warships have been busy building bomb-proof shelters. Thousands of hardy New ijealanders land Australians are concentrated on the ,-jhore of the Narrows, each engaged in some occupation, for as soon as be leaves the front trenches he is required for fatigue. Few have had more than a few hours' sleep for days past. The generals and the stall' ollicers l'arp no better than the men. General Birdwood told Mr. Bai'tlett that he could not sufficiently praise the .'jmage and endurance of the soldiers' qualities.- The manner in which the colonials bung on to the position day. and night was considering the heavy losses, the shortage of water, the incessant shrapnel to which, they, were exposed without cover, and a'so the enemy's incessant infantry attacks. After they -retired to a contracted line they set tiieir teeth and refused to bullae a foot. These colonials were extraordinarily good under lire, and they often exposed themselves rather than take the trouble to keep under the shelter of the dill'. A TOWNSHIP OF COLONIALS.

One of tlm 'strangest splits was "to see the number bathing in the sea with shrapnel bursting all round them, Tlii-t eulonial colony is assuming definite form. The whole face of the Will' is being ent with roads, dug-outs, ami bombproof shelters, and an ;miscc! townsliip is springing uj> as the troops slowly dig themselves in and make, themselves comfortable.

We are holding a semi-circular position of trenches, which are well made and provide ample cover, but the slightest exposure is almost certain to result in a hit from a bullet. This incessant sniping greatly .puzzles the men in the trenches and is a ready problem present apparently even when au advance post is thrown out, for the enemy's .sharpshooters remain behind and. snipe, unwary volunteers who venture out nightly in ordef to hunt for snipers, but so far they are unable to keep them under.

The cheerfulness of the men in the trenches is most marked, for they feel they have overcome the initial dilliuul-

I tics and paved the way to success. They j now occupy such a position and are iro thoroughly entrenched that nil the Turks in Thrace mid Liallipoli will never outrun them.

BRiTiSH CAPTURE A TOWN. BLOODY UP-HILL BATTLE MAGNIFICENT INFANTRY FIGHT. COUNTLESS HEROIC DEEDS. NEWS OF THE KILLED. Received May !>, 3.30 p.m. London, May 8. Renter says that the British landing at Sedd el-ISahr was of the bloodiest character. The position of the enemy was particularly strong. Ihe beaches which flanked a fort on the left of a high clilf left the landing parties to encounter a terrific lire. They ran tiie gauntlet for two hundred yards and survivors entrenched in the sand, where they remained for the rest of the day.

There were eouiitless deeds of the utmost bravery by the men bringing in the wounded struggling out of the water and across the bi-ach into shelter.

Soon hundreds of wounded were lying at one point. Another party landed at the eastern end of Sedd-el-Uahr and struggled up the c ili into a village, which was a jumble of broken, gaping walls afforded shelter foy the Turkish riflemen. The British compelled them to withdraw.

Meanwhile a force landed at Holies and carried wire entanglements with their bayonets. They stormed the promontory, and then- was a magnificent • nfantrv ;iic top of a plateau. It hrited till nightfall, when the Brit-!-hu.i reached an old fort on the ridge behind the Sedd-el-Bahr beachj the remainder- landing after dark.- a

'Hie enemy at midnight opened a terrific but harmless fire on the nh whose I'.U!!:; all (lily kept down the fire of the batteries, whieh the British shuttered. I here was a utronj; attack during the night on a ridge above the bench at Cape Hellcs. At daybreak we occupied the whole seaward, edge of the plateau. The Britishers displayed the utmost coolness throughout, and overcame an awkward series of wire fences. The infantry on a crest advanced along the ridge.

The troops 011 the beach stormed- a long hill and joined their comrades oil the ridge. They captured Scddd-Hithr and also the trendies on the top ridge. Many of the enemy were killed. Tie: ships' fire, found the trenches.

I he French landed at night and joined the Britishers on the ridge.

THE LAST DEFENCES. FLEET BREAKING THEM DOWN. BOMBARDMENT OF SMYRNA. Received May !), 4.30 p.m. Athens, May 8. Mitylene reports that the fleet is bombarding the last line of defence, es : , pecially Nagara. : A German aeroplane threw bombs otr the Allies on the peninsula. The reanl; was insignificant.

The Allies are bombarding Smyrna.

CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY. WORK OF NEW ZEALANDEHS. Wellington, Last Night. The following message has been received from General Godley by Colgnel Allen, Minister for Defence:—'"Your cable received and communicated to New Zealand units, who have all behaved with conspicuous gallantry and have upheld the honor and traditions of the Dominion." LANDING OF THE FRENCH. THE OV.PIUAL ACCOUNT. Paris, May 7. Official: A regiment of colonial infantry on April 25 and a battery "with 75mm. 1 guns, which h'ad been ordered to erehte 'a diversion on the Asiatic shore, landed at Kum Kali under the protection of the guns of the French ships. The disembarkation was carried out under good conditions and the force inarched ;to Yeiy-Shehr, where a fierce fight 'began at night and continued the following day. The Turks, who were greatly superior in numbers Buffered heavily and 500 were taken prisoners. v The re-embarkation of the troops was effected on the night of April 20 under support of the warships. Meanwhile large forces landed on the Gallipoii Peninsula.

THE ROLL OF HONOR. NKW ZEALAND CASUALTIES. DEATHS AND WOUNDED.; ! Wellington, Maj S. .The Secretary of the Poft and Telcgi'aph Uojnii'iiiK'iit furnishes file follows ing list of further casualties in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force: DIKI) 01>' WOUNDS. Auckland Infantry. iScrgt.-llajor J. K. Partridge. 12/iiSl, Private Frauds dames Median Otajjo Infantry, I'rivate W, Barrett, i'rivate W. J. limitin.ir. Private C. \Y. Edgar. I'rivate U. Patterson N/1082, Lance-Corp! (Icorge Ivipklirtin 8/411:!, I'rivate Stanley Pitkin Wellington infantry Private W. .1. (Irilliths. Engineers. Serjeant AV. \Y. Abbott. Sapper P. A. E. Warlmrton. ; SERIOUSLY WOUNDED. Auckland IJattaliai). Corporal 0. 0. A. Cowan, Canterbury Battalion. fPrivate J. Envin. S. W. Watts. WOUND!'!!). Otago Infantry. I* Lieut. E. SI. (iabites.

Wellington, Last Night. , Cabled advice has been received thia day from the Commonwealth military authorities that the following have bcea wounded in notion at the Dardanelles:— Private J. llacche, 4th Australian Infantry; next-of-kin, M. B. Hawhe, Mat* Oliice, (lisborne. Private li. Sutton, 12th Australian Infantry; next-of-kin, Mrs. Sutton, Hendt'rsun Street, Bluff. Private ,1. A. P. Edwards, 7th Australian Infantry; next-of-kin, Mrs, Edwin Edwards, Paeroa. Private K. C, Wright, 3rd Australian Infantry; next-of-kin, Henry Wright, ifcia Street, Wellington. WHY LISTS ARE DELAYED.

Wellington, May 8. The (iovernor has received the follow-i * 5 State;-"Willi reference to your teleing cablegram from the Secretary of gram of May 2 I may inform you that the lists of wounded which have arrived from ICgypt .are dispatched daily wititont delay. No lists of those killed in - action, except ollicers, had reached Egypt on May f>. The' lists of wounded are not cabled through from the front owing, to dillicnlties, but are made on arrival of the ships." Hia (iovernor referred to this matter, when speaking at the Orphans'" Clublast night. "I am afraid it will be sonic * time before we receive the lost of those New Zealanders who have been killed at the Dardanelles," he remarked. ''Names of wounded have come from the base hospital in Egypt but more serious items will not eonie through for some days yet." AUSTRALIAN CASUALTIES. Xvdncy, Mav 7. The eighth Dardanelles casualties list > s: —T j t. W. Hodgson, died of wounds; 235 men wounded. Received May 0, 4.31) p.m. Sydney, May 9., A further casualty lists from the Dai* daiie'lea reports: Died of wounds.—Lieuts. Curwen and Walker; Privates Meek, Williams, Gi'json. Dunlop, Wright, Healy. Wounded.—Captains ,1. Cy Stewart, ft jt \V. Dalk; Lieuts. May. Woodforde, Ben- }> nett, MaePhcrson, and Room. p Two hundred and eleven men were |i wounded. jj The Australian casualties nt the Dar- I dandles, at present notified total 48. i Private advices .state that Lieutenant p G. Stcen,, who was reported killed in ae- t tion, was only slig'itly wounded. I The eighth 'Dardanelles casualty list ij is «s follows:—Lieut. W, Hodgson, died I; of wounds. Two hundred and thirty-five § men wounded. ' . »

MI?. ASQUITHfi SON WOUNDED. | deceived May fl, r>.r> p.m. |j London, May 8. Mr. Arthur Asquitli, son of Mr. Her. bcrt Asquith, has been wounded. 1 ■. j A SLIPPERY TACTICIAN. . To be what is called a "slippery tactieion" is the ambition of every officer, general or regimental .(Writes A. Hpoae#. in the Dunedin Star). Sir lan HamU- 1 ton is, one would say, it slippery sort, ■ J but General d'Amade lias been something in the same tiiiCj not witlmutj success. Placing the whole of the Franti'ii Army t;n the'Plniim of Troy, on tjie KMatic sido, would be dangerous,. T|i»j French, the colonials, and. the Britiflc ' must to small 'in' numbers as eompiiwl with tli® vast Ottoman forees. ]fc jw important for the small force to nJaiH its flanks secure—to eliield'them by 4,tT ural obstacles; but those obstacles jda not exist on the Asiatic side of thq strait. In the first form in which ffjij news was presented; it \vas : made to «,pl pear that the French • had bee» d' !MH itely committed to the Asiatic Side, biit yesterday's intelligence _ made 'it a{WH» ent that this'is not so—at least', not jjM French transports did appear in f iMfj off lvmn Rale, but only a fraction vra-4 landed. Those who were went straight for: the: works at afn Kalo., , [IT I do not know whether the cleveinqsi of this-will be as apparent as it oiijifc to lie. The whole of the Allied f opt . from the New Zealanders in the i .irjbt to the French ; iii the ' south, mus , \pi regarded as one, each fraction nssii t(hjr thoother. That front seems to be dn|j(? ediby tile Dardanelles, but it is'jiot ly so. Wo have command of the sboj stml our forces call be swung to' this'wßi or that at any call. It is the old diwsfr tion of qperations by a waterway,jaM resembles the lake district' in: amid which Ilindenburg i 3 profiejehti We enjoy the advantage of- fast transit by sea at thp sout)ieriv ejid of :tiie sthM and the Turks have the same at its liorthorn end. It then/ becdiira# a question of who will find who iflTw inferior force on this side or that,Ti«4 it is likely that there will bsfin iWrl esting interplay of strategy. The Sat* was originally Napoleon's, and 1 [injjoiburg made a life study in working it out. Sir 1 lan Hamilton and (ieitefal d'Amude ave at it now, too. i !• ' \\ j.. * H>j OTTOMAN ( FOIICE AT THE STRAW.? "We slionte not experience any sive trouble .at the Dardanelles," w| the military contributor of The TinjW recently, "provided always that the ous nature of the task has not Mfii under-estimated." That last nrdvuitt must never be let out of sight. floiM picnic, and the Turk will fight witljHii customary sang-froid. How many Wei has he got on the spot? The iastjcMS dilution which the Tiuies expert able to make indicated the minimnty which British, French, New Zen 1 indent and Australians might expect i raeej* The Ist, 3rd, and st.li Army Corps were near Constantinople, as well as fortrcsa troops, three or four cavalry brigades, and some Kurdish levies, in all aboiSb 200,000 men. North of Constantinople there were the 2nd and most of the fltk Corps, with three cavalry brigades' ajijl frontier guards. The number of la'efi in a Turkish corps is such a (jambfe that it is often more than its own ofljcers know, .but still there can hardly,he less than 31)0,0(10 not far frojij the Dardanelles. It is therefore sure that'fedfaf- ' thing will have to be done to the isthmus of liulair, by which these troops can enter or quit the Uallipoli Peninsula. We do not hear much of tlif»t yet, and of course the avenue via v ßulalr is not the only one. There is tlie OgJ&om of water transit too. f

'HIE SEER. Hard as the job ahead of our troop# may be, one cannot believe that tho (iermans feel very sure of defending this waterway to Staniboul. I'iom ITqinc papers it seems that not Ion? eral Liinan von Handera sent oft his daughters and his savings to nii<<hj»Jst. Years before the war von der (.oty'fajecasted that the appearance of ev BritfeU fleet under tile walls of Stiamboui wpuld end the Ottoman Empire.:.-' Jt i$ v , c'oincidental that this seer should nowßijion the spot, with every clia,uce. of activity seeing the fullilmeut'. tif' Ibis owu ftrophecy., ■" '' '; \ j KnEUMATISM ' jjj Dr. Sheldon's Magnetic J.imn)en| removes move eases- of rheumatism <wpry | venr than all thi; so-called rfyeunpiwism ) medicines combined.., If. will, 'iMjnefiat® to yoiir very hemes; ,iiiid toothbiiiiidwibdue the pain. 'applicationf%ill relieve, and coiitinuediUM will feting about marvellous results, l'ricc, j|l/8 and 3/-. Obtainable everywhere.. _