The Dardanelles.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 384, 2 June 1915, Page 5

The Dardanelles.

BRITISH CAPTURE TRENCHES. TURKISH ADVANCE CHECKED. EFFECTIVE BRITISH ARTILLERY. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Minister for "Defence lias received through His Excellency the Governor the following ea!.'o me'sage from 'ho Si cretary of Htat * for the Colonies (\r 1-onar Law) regard'in; the operation:- ill the Dardanelles:—On the 2(ith and 27th May nothing of importance occurred. On the 28th May we detected the engineers of the enemy working under one of our posts. Wo exploded a counter-mine, which was very successful. The same evening the Vurks ellVvted a lodgment ; ii ti:K»c Viu'.'iit trcue! es. On" troops counter-attacked with the bayonet, and recaptured the firing line trenches, whereupon the Turks in the support trenches surrendered. Whilst this was going on heavy columns of the enemy advanced to make good the temporary local success. They were visible in the bright l'noonlight to our gunners, and these were able to bring a cross-fire at accurate and known ranges to bear, the consequence being that the Turkish advance became demoralised, and their second line of bombthrowers flung missiles into their front line, completing the rout. The enemy's casualties were at least 2000, whereas ours were 800. On the night of May 2flth the Turks twice attacked the new post W" the night before, but without making any impression. On the night of May 2St.li the French army captured an important redoubt on the extreme left of the Turkish line, and consolidated tlie ground captured. On the night of M.iv 29th the Turks fired heavily on the new position, but did i:o!. advance {» p.ti'pk. being checked by artillery lire. Tie/ attacked the left; Hank of one o French divisions, 'nut were beaten back, ALLIES CONTINUE TO ADVANCE. ACCOUNT OF A KECK NT ACTION. London, May 31. Athens estimates the Ottoman army at the Dardanelles at '210,001). The 'Times' naval correspondent says it confidently! anticipated that there are adequate Admiralty dispositions -J meet the danger of submarines in the Dardanell-'s. Jt is improbable fiat.there is the slightest truth in American reports of the suspicion of attacks on merchantmen because Germany is increasing her output of submarines. Tlu; Central News correspondent at Athens reports that the Allies continue to advance against the, main positions on the Gallipoli Peninsula, aided by the fleet. The Press Bureau, reporting oil the Dardanelles action, states:—">Wc detected the enemy working under one, ol our posts on May 28. AVe successfully exploded a counter-mine. The Turks then effected a lodgment in the vacant trenches, hut we counter-attaekWl with the bayonet and recaptured the firing,line trenches, whereupon the Turks in the supporting trenches surrendered. ■Meanwhile heavy columns advanced in bright moonlight, and our gunners, with an accurate crossfire, caused the demoralisation of the Turks, whose second line and bomb-throwers flung missiles into their own first line, completing the rout. The enemy's casualties were at least 2000 and ours 3IM>. During the same night the Turks unsuccessfully attempted to recapture the position. The French captured ail important redoubt on the Turks' extreme right on the night of May 28, and repulsed subsequent attacks." SHELTER FOR SUBMARINES. SHELLED 15Y TILE BRITISH. - Received June 1, 10.15 p.m. London, June 1. Mitylene reports that British warships shelled Aviali, where an enemy submarine shelter was reported. AN ADMIRAL'S ESCAPE. Received June 1, 7.15 p-ni. Paris, May 31. Rear-Admiral Gue.pratte had a miraculous escape at the Dardanelles. A shell penetrated his cabin on the Jaurequibarry and missed his head by inches, but destroyed everything ill the vicinity. His uniform, which he was about to don, was torn to shreds, but Rear-Admiral Guepratte escaped seathlcss.