THE DARDANELLES

Taranaki Daily News, 6 August 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES

..l WORK ON THE FIELD. MR. ASKiIEAD BARTLETT'S REPORT. .Received August 5, 10.30 p.m. London, August 5. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett, in a report, dated July 16, said that the positions o{ the Australians and Ne-w Zealanders were unchanged. In six weeks fliey tiad occupied an area which extended only two thousand yards from the senshore northward, ibut in the interior the position had changed out of ail recognition, since the landing. The consolidation process had made everything comfortable and secure. The stalemate could not last for ever, and when the •moment arrives for a big pusli all alpng the line the colonials will certainly resume the active role, for which they are peculiarly fitted by temperament and training. They are desperately eager to advance. They have obtained 1 a complete local mastery, deciding whether the daily.round shall 'be a truce or constant sniping, bomb-throwing and minTHE TUBUS WAITING.

Since their last repulse, the Turks have not beeu aggressive, but are content to sit in the trenches, and postpone a trial of strength with such a formidable enemy. Although not so gpeetaeular as the periodical British adTanccs, the colonials' work is equally useful, and has entailed enormous physical labor, besides inflicting heavy Turkisßi losses.

The' German commanders realise the ever-present danger that if the innumerable trenches are depleted the colonials will promptly (break through. The great Turkish attempts have been an utter fiasco. Now that our fire trenches are impregnable, the danger period has passed; but the continuous fighting 'bring} heavy casualties to both sides. HOW THE DAYS ARE SPENT. Local atta/.ks and counter-attacks arc incessant, and bomb-throwing, mining, and trench digging keep the Australians and New Zealanders busy. They have gained invaluable experience in this kind pf warfare, as the soft, sandy soils entail constant repairs to collapsed trenches. The Turks sometimes amuse themselves by shelling the entire section, which must then be rebuilt along the ridge a few feet wide. The enemy is a few yards In front of a sheer precipice, with shifting sand beliind, and a glimpse through a, periscope shows the Turks are in the same difficulties. With spades they are always shovelling earth for dear life. Our outer defence line is not a complete semi-circle, as the Turks hold a seotion. Rharpuel fix weeks ago made it unpleasant to visit Quinn's Post and •Courtenay'a Post, 'but to-day the indefatigable energy of the men from " down under" has enabled the reaching of the fire trenches to be accomplished in comparative safety. The Turks dare not expose themselves for a second longer than to snipe. 'Down Shrapnel Valley the New Zealanders' and Australians' Light Horse are entrenched, and have obtained a complete (Ire supremacy.

POSITION AT QUINN'S rOST. NOW IMPREGNABLE.

Owing to tlie proxinity of the lines at this point, hand grenades and trench mortars are the chief weapons. Xhae was a very deadly struggle at Quinn's Post, which was long a No-nian'a Land, both sides waiting the opportunity. The skilled New Zealand miners finally captured it, aad since have held it firmly. They have dug a network of trenches, tunnels and bomb-proof shelters, supported by beams. The Turks endeavored to blow up this new defence, but the New Zealanders counter-mined, and blew up the enemy instead. Snipers are forcing the Turks further tack, and Quinn's iPost is now impregnable. His quite comfortable, and the underground living is popular, being cool, and there is excellent cover.

Many dead Turks are lying on nctural ground, in a maze of barbed wire. The Turks' first lesson is to hide, and never disclose his numbers.

When the Australians were tiring of inactivity, and wondering whether the Turks remained in any strength, a British aeroplane passed over, flying low. The Turks could not resist jumping u-p and volleying at the intrepid airman. The, lifeless trenches fairly bristled with bayonets, showing the importance the Turks attach to the position. The Turkish guns arc constant!!' shelling the Australian and New Zealand positions, and tlicre i,5 one gun the colonials are longing to have a reckoning with.

HOW THE COLONIALS WORK

Received August 5, 11.45 p.m. London, August 5. They have cheerfully faced the labor of bringing ammunition and stores, especially water, up to the barren cliffs. Of ama-zing physique, no European nation possesses anything to compare with them. The Prussian Guard are picked men, but are fat and ungainly compared with the colonials, who are great, biglimibcd athletes, with not a pound of superfluous flesh among the lot. They are not so mudh an army as a community, who have come together for a job, and have framed their own laws to carry it out. They work in little, groups and are united either by home ties or •mutual regard. These' groups discipline themselves. When ordered to carry water they do not march smartly at the obedience of a non-commissioned officer, but saunter slowly, sit down, light their pipes, contemplating the work. Pobably. a millionaire, a cowboy, a doctor or a clerk among them is the unofficial leader of the gang, and he presently rise? slowly, and says: "Well, hoys, it's got to be done; the quicker the better we get it over." Then they start work like niggers, never stopping and never .slacking until it is finished. "

THE NAKED ARMY. Not since the last charge of the Dervishes at Omdurnian has such a naked army been seen in the field. The British Tommy works sweating in a boiling sun-without removing a single pack, but it i» difficult to find an Australian or ti New Zealander wearing anything except a pair o-f shorts, and probably those are only due to a feeling of decency. At first their coats went, then their shirts, underclothes, and boots. Tluir huge frames and giant limbs are burnt a dull brick-red. A learned entomologist, suddenly discovering them, would pTobably classify them as a surviving branch of the American Indians. Excellent fo a bathing alone has rendered the campaio-n tnVraMe, and the procession of naked warriors beaJlnvards inn-eases at sunri-c and sun=et, regardless of snipers and bursting shrapnel.

MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,

HONORS FOR COLONIALS. Received August 0, 2 a.m. London, August 5Sir lan Hamilton, in a despatch, mentions the following Imperial officers attached to the Australian and New Zealand forces: —Australians: Colonels R. Carruthers, N. Walker, and A. Skeen; Lieutenant-Colonel De Lotbinicre; Major Villiers Stuart; Lieutenant P. Keeling. New Zealanders: Major-General Godley, Lieutenant-Colonels Richardson, Plugge, P. Stewpt, Malonc, and Tearless, Colonel Chaytor, Major Waitc, C. Smith, Tmnbull, Hart, E. O'Neill, and Neale, Captains Wallingford, Salmoneon, and Craig, Lieutenants Ncwbould, Neabet, Cowan, and E, Wilson, Sergeant-Major Portous, Sergeant Wallace, Corporal Salmon, Saunders, Abbey, Barratt, Steedman, and Singleton, Sappers Carlyon and Grimshaw, Privates Tempany, Stoctahll, Findlay, Hayden, Swann, Comrie, 0. Watson, Hean, and W. Henry. DistinguisSied Service Medals 'have been a-wrded to the following New Zea-landers:-~Lance-Corporal Fear, conspicuous gallantry on June 0 and 10 at Gaiba Tepe, in volunteering to demolish a Turkish blockhouse within twelve y«rd9 of the enemy's trenches, which could only : be approached over macliine-gun swept ground. Fear exhibited great skill in approaching and demolisHiing the blockhouse, being exposed to fire for an hour.

Sapper Hodges, for great gallaittry on June 9 and 10, similar to Fear's exploit. Private E. MeLcod, for eon<epicuous gallantry on May 8, south of Krithia. He was one of a party carrying ammunition and advanced to the trenches under heavy fire, the majority being unable to proceed. McLeod, although wounded in the leg, performed hi* task and returned. !Not having reported himself wounded, he was again detailed to carry ammunition, which he performed. Private F. O'Connor, on May S, near Krithia, for distinguished services 5u the fifing line until severely wounded, losing his rgWt eye. He was prevously twice wounded, and his gallant example was of great value.

Private, G. Wilson, during operations 'on May 8. south of Krithia", for great gallantry in carrying important mes--.sages under fire.

ITALY TO CO-OPERATE,

ON LAND AND SEA. Received August 5, 8.23 p.m. Paris, August 5. An Italian officer has arrived at British headquarters in the Mediterranean to concert measures for Italy's military and naval co-operation at the Dardanelles.