The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1915. THE FIGHT FOR SARI BAIR.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1915. THE FIGHT FOR SARI BAIR.

Xo one can read the thrilling and graphic account of the terrific struggle for the possession of the Anafarta Hills at Gallipoli, as penned by Mr. Ashmead Rartlott, the British official press correspondent, without feeling deeply moved. For four days and four nights Englishmen, Australians, Xew Zealanders, Maoris, Gurkhas and Siklhs were in what is described as the most ferociously sustained soldiers' battle since Inkorman. Botli sides, apparently, fought to a standstill, for on the night of August 10, the fighting had dwindled down from mere exhaustion of both armies and the impossibility of further effort. But in those four memorable days, that will' assuredly go down in history as an achievement almost without parallel, what stupendous feats of daring were performed, and what marvellous exhibitions of courage and determination were shown! The record is one that covers the participants—including the enemy—with a glory that will live in history. It has proved to the world most emphatically what the British Empire means. Side by side with the forces of the Motherland fought the dusky warriors from India, tlhe Natives from New Zealand, and the hardy and intrepid sons of Australasian Dominions, fighting like lions, rushing forward to the attack with the fury of fanatics, or creeping onward with grim determination to' out wire entanglements so as to pave tihe way for their comrades' sweeping movements. The desperate hand-to J hand fights in the trenches called forth all the courage and physical effort that were possible in the bravest of men, and the awful scene of carnage must have tried the strongest nerves—trenches choked with dead' and wounded almost to the top, and the fight still carried by the survivors o.ver the heaps of slain. Officers and men—heroes all—forgetful of all else but the achievement of the goal. How galling, therefore, it must have been to the intrepid heroes to have been robbed of the full fruit of their historic efforts can easily be imagined. They reached the final objective, obtained a view of the promised land, but eventually had to withdraw to the lower spurs. It was a most bitter disapp,ointment, but there was no alternative, the only consolation being that the failure to hold the crest was not due to any fault of the overseas forces, wOiose marvellous hardihood, tenacity, and rec-kless courage were the outstanding feature of this notable four days' fierce struggle. This is by no means the first time that the New Zealanders have distinguished themselves, but never have they earned such glory and renown, nor will their part in this memorable event ever lie forgotten. On the Roll of Honor their names should have a specially prominent place. The toll was heavy, but not in proportion to the severity of the conflict. Such deeds as they performed make one doubly proud of our New Zealand boys. Many of our bravest men have found a last resting place among the Anafarta hills, but their deeds will be held in reverent memory, and tihe deepest sympathy felt for the bereaved relatives. We can say with Schiller:— ''Farewell, fallen brothers, tho' this life is o'er, There's another, in which we'll meet you once more!"