THE TASK AT GALLIPOLI.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1915, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE TASK AT GALLIPOLI.

On DESCRIBED BY AN EXPERT. COLON ML 0. S. RICHARDSON'S TRIBUTE. TO Nh'U Zh'ALAND COMRADES. , A recent letter from Colonel 01. „S. l!i»-h;mlsou. the brilliant artillery soldier, who is revered in New' Zea

note was written to relatives in Auckland, and to them we are indebted for the opportunity to keep New Zealanders | in some personal touch with a man who | is held in affection 'by many and ad- | miration toy all. He is A.A. and Q.M.G. of the Royal Naval Division now operating in Gallipoli. It was only tlic other day that Gunner 'McConachie, of Nelson, made reference to Colonel Richardson in one of his letters from Gallipoli: "I met Colonel Richardson," ho said. "I was doing sonic work here the other day," he wrote, " when Colonel Richardson passed on his way to the front trenches. He stopped, looked at me, and said: 'lsn't your name McConacliic, and don't you come from Nelson? On his return, lie stopped me and had another chat with me." That sort of thing is typical ot Colonel Richardson. He is known as the man who never forgets thoso he lias worked with. FROM ANTWERP TO EGYPT. " In February I left England," Colonel Richardson says, in explanation of the fact that he had almost forgotten when and what he last wrote, " and went to Malta, and from Malta to Egypt, where our troops did a turn on the canal defence, and I had a renewal of acquaintance with the New Zealanders at Cairo. Then we left for Skyros, another Greek Island, and on April 21 we left for the attack on the 'Dardanelles. ON THE BULAIR LINES. "I was on the Canopus 'bombarding the Jiulair lines the first day. The next day I took part in the landing, and have been at it ever since. We are now tuning an editing time—every day under heavy shell-dire. "This campaign has developed into otic of trench work. Wo are all dug in. Whether in the front line or in reserve, the spade and pick are one's 'beat friends. "My division has fought well and lost, heavily. Our casualties the first week were '-'SOO, so that I have seen the horrors of war, and do not want to see thorn again after this one. The German Emperor and hTs eliquc have something to answer. "Everything is, however, going well, and although we have a hard nut to crack in this rough country, I am sure we shall be" successful. AN UNFORGETTABLE SIGHT. ''The New Zealanders and Australians havt» done splendid work, and earned the admiration of all. Their advance in the last battle was a sight I shall never forget—shrapnel, rifle fire and machine guns pouring through their ranks, while they advanced without flinching. Their losses were heavy, but losses always are in a modern war. The South African war was a picnic compared with this. Every day here there is more fighting than in sonic of the battles of S'oulh Africa. A TYPICAL DAY'S HAPPENINGS. "The interest of this campaign is beyond your conception. Example: Yes-

terday, C a.m., German aeroplanes dropped bombs in the bivouacs; from 7 a.m. till mid-day, lots of shells all around us; the French attack on our nght, gam a trench, and arc then driven back; aiternoon attack on our left, kill jOO Turks; 1 ,p.m„ submarine sighted, —— transports leave at full speed* battleship and destroyers chase and ftrc ai supposed submarine—they did actually fire at a dead horse floating in the sea; night—ri«e fire and guns all night. 'This is a typical day. Every day is lull of absorbing interest-fighting casualties, and stories of remarkable escapes. lam about a mile and a-half in the rear of the front trenches, where we are treated to shrapnel, black Manas and a few overs from rifles. lam quite fit and well, but will be glad when we get this job over. ACTII BAD3A LIKE MOUNT EDEN. 'The country here is very nice, and the climate not unlike Auckland, and the hill we have to take, Achi Bate, not unlike Mount Eden, but higher. All wars now assume the conditions in ■Prance, i.e., siege. Trenches and barbed wire, with modern rifles, have caused this, and our work will be slow but sure."