THE ORIENT.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 September 1915, Page 5

THE ORIENT.

THE BRITISH ADVANCE. IMB. BARTLETT'S NARRATIVE CONTINUED. GENERAL HAMILTON'S STRATEGY. London, September 3. Mr. Bartlett says it was not through want of trying that we failed in the great strategic scheme for getting astride the peninsula northward of Anzac, by seizing the Anafarta hills and forcing the Turks to abandon their positions before Achi Balba and Kilid Bahr salient, Oiie corps faiLad in its assigned task of dashing through with a rush when the enemy was completely surprised and had only a few battalions of pioked gendarmes opposing us. Another point was that it was esslential for our troops to advance in very open order, an operation which involves troops becoming widely separated from their officers and comrades, and requires troops highly trained in skirmishing and self-reliance in every man dashing on to the objective of his own accord and not stopping for orders. REORGANISING FOR A FRONTAL ATTACK, When the first attempt to seize the Anafarta hills liad definitely broken down on the morning of August 10, time was required to reorganise the units, collect the wounded, and land ammunition and artillery ibelore a further attempt was possible. Not until August 21 was the army ready for'a frontal attack in this quarter. The prizes rewarding success were great and fully justified a supreme effort. lie Turks made full use of the ten days' interval. Knowing definitely where the main blow would fall they wtere able to release the divisions stationed round Bulair and concentrate at some threatened point. The hope of our effecting a surprise had vanished, and obviously only a frontal attack and sheer hard fighting could takte the lines between Hill 70, known as Burnt Hill, and Hill 112. The Turks, following their invariable practice, dug in up to their necks, and every dawn disclosed new trenches. The manner in which they| searched our beaches and camps with shell fire indicated that several fresh batteries had 'been brought to this point. The position of our line was hardly changed, but was secured Iby digging permanent trenches right across the low ground in front of Anafarta and out into the plain southward, connecting by a series of posts with the Australian left flank. Opposite our front the Turks dug two trench lines of immense strength, which they carefully loopholed. . THE OBJECTIVE. Our immediate objective on the left was the capture of Hill 70, which, lying in front of the main position, caused so much trouble in landing. Our centre and right planned to advance from a ridge in front of Chocolate Hill and from trenches on the plain, southward, converging in an assault which had for its main objective Hill 112. By a great effort troops were massed along a line from Hill 70 to Hill 112, A division of Yeomanry was held in reserve blehind Lala Baba. A brigade of infantry was ordered to attack Hill 70, and another to attack Hill 112, and three divisions were held in reslerve. The divisions holding the trenches on the plain southward were ordered to rush the trenches on thleir front, then wheel northward and converge on Hill 112 from the south.

Throughout the forenoon the troops rested quietly in the trenches, as calm as usual, fully realising their responsibilities. The task was regarded as the most difficult attack yet made, except the landing. Battleships, supported bv cruisers and monitors l , steamed in close in readiness for the preliminary bombardmlent. BOMBARDMENT BEGINS.

At three o'clock in the afternoon of August 21 the first gun was fired, and the next half-hour witnessed one of those terrible bombardments which have become commonplace on this bloody soil. The warships concentrated upon Hills 70 and 112, supported Iby field guns and heavy howitzers. Again the trienclies appeared to be swallowed up in smoke and earth clouds. The Turks did not show any, sign. No one left his position. The Turkish guns replied furiously, chiefly upon and behind Chocolate Hill, which was wreathed in bursting shrapnel. This soon set fire to the bush and scrub, which the breeze fanned furiously, spreading the flames with amazing rapidity, and frequently blotting out the position with clouds of rolling smoke and flames. At 3.30 a regiment crept forward and endeavored to form a firing line at the foot of Hill 70. This was the signal for a tremendous fusilade from the whole Turkish line. Simultaneously the regiment advanc ed against the south side, establishing themselves in the burnt scrub at the foot of Hill 70. The guns Btill thundered; against the trenches at the top, tat the Turks did not seem to care. Many stood up boldly in order to obtain a better view of the advancing khaki lines. I never on any battleship before heard such a din of Ships' guns, field pieces, bursting shells, and thousands of rifles. THE KHAKI lIUSH. At 3.30 p.m. those two regiments made a final rush uphill, onle from the west, the other from the south. Great solid masses of khalki, with bay|onets glistening, emerged from the burnt scrub and surged upwards. The artillery in a few minutes lengthened their fuses and shelled the reverse of th slopes, not one touching the trench line. The Turlc9 came out, firing furiously into the advancing lines. Some Turks wavered and abandoned the crest and ran down 'behind, but the majority stuck to the trenches determined to die where they stood. We got high up the hill, but machine-guns and cross fire brought the ibattalion to a standstill on thto north side. Some of the soutli siders reached the top and jumped into the trenches, where they died in bayonet fighting amongst the Turks, who never showed greater determination than in the hand-to-hand struggle. It lookted for a few minute 3 as if the hill was won. We were swarming just below the crest, and actually occupying a section of the trench line on thie south side, but a battery behind Hill 112 commenced to pour salvos of shrapnel at a range of only 1200 yards, which simply swept whole lines away and forced the survivors down the slope to slight cover, and finally back to the trenches ao recently left. THE ATTACK FAILS. The attack had failed, and Hill 70 was once more left to the Turks and

Fighting was equally severe on the right. At 3.30 p.m. the division rushed oat of the trenches and stormed the first linle under a fearful fire oyer ground without a particle of cover. It was found impossible to storm the second line of deadly loopholed and roofed trenches. The brigade holding tlile ridge in front of Chocolate Hill was driven off southward byi terrible fire. A solid 'bank of flame surmounted by rolling Mack smoke clouds swept across the hill. The heat was terrific, and many men placed in safety had to be hastily carried out and placed in the open. Thus the development of the attack was delayed. Another division wheeling towards Hill 112 was caught at short range 'by the Tuilkish second line upon the flank in the open plain. Obviously it was impossible to proceed with the assault unless this trench limo was taken. Fighting continued intensely throughout the afternoon. There was tremendous rifle fire, but we could not gain another yard. Meanwhile a battalion' and mounted division, hitherto in reserve at Lala Baba, were ordered to reattack Hill 70. These splendid troops were for the first time in action, led Iby men bearing some of the best known names in England. They moved out of cover, and had no sooner appeared in open order crossing Salt Lake than the enemy concentrated sheavy shrapnel on the exposed linos. 'Advancing in the open as if on parade they pressed on steadily, losing many, but never wavering. They formed up 'behind the brigade at Hill 70. It was now 6 o'clock, and every! available gun again furiously bombarded the crest. The Turkish battleries concentrated their fire on our trenches. The scene was majestic, but awful. The light was rapidly waning, the horizon being blotted out by smote and flames, and the trees, scrub, grass and homesteads were blazing. A (PERFECT INFERNO. The noise of the guns and the unceasing roar of thousands of rifles made a perfect inferno. The battalion advanced and seized the southern slopes, digging in preparatory to an advance towards the top. The shell fire now seemed to tell upon the Turks and many were observed streaming down the trench line, either because it had become untenable, or they were preparing to meet an advance. CHARGE OF THE YEOMANRY. The situation was unchanged for an hour, and then the Yeomanry again advanced in solid masses, forming up on the lower western and northern Blopes. It was almost dark and the attack seemed to hang fire. Suddenly the Yeomanry leapt to their feet and charged like a single man right uphill. They were met by a withering fire rising to a crescendo as they ieared the northern crest, but nothing could stop them. They charged with amazing speed, without a halt, from bottom to top, losing many leaders, including gallant Sir John Milbank. GAINING HILL 70. It was a stirring sight that was watched by thousands in the evergathering gloom. One moment they were below the crest, the next moment they were on top of it, the next they had disappeared into the trenches, bayonetting the defenders who had not fled earlier, while others who had not stopped in the trenoMine were pursued down the reverse slopes. From a thousand Hps a shout rose up: "Hill 70 is won!'' The night was now rapidly falling; the figures became blurred, then lost to shape, and finally disappeared. CEASELESS NIGHT BATTLE. A3 I left Chocolate Hill I looked back upon a vista of rolling clouds and huge fires, from Which came the incessant roar of rifle ffre. This was ominous, because tlhe question was whether we could hold Hill 70 throughout the night, in the fate of determined counter-attacks. The battle raged ceaselessly. Apparently the Turks were never driven off the knoll on the northern crest, whence during the night they enfiladed, with the use of machine-guns and artillery. A RETIREMENT. The Yeomanry who dashed down the reverse slopes were subjected to counter attacks, and t'hey lost heavily, and were obliged to retire. It was decided that it was impossible to hold Hill 70, and at daylight the troo,p6 were ordered to withdraw to theJr original position. Daylight thus found Hill 70 no longer in our possession. Nothing will lessen the glory of that final charge of England's Yeomanry, and thus ended the great fight. SLIGHT SUCCESSES. However, the Anzac troops achieved some successes, the Australian infantry finally driving the Turks from HiH AO, while our whole line is now linked up by means of trenchline instead of by isolated posts. THE FIGHT FOR HILL 70. ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE CHARGE. WEATHER GROWING COLDER. Received Sept 5, 3.10 p.m. London, Sept. 4. 'Router's correspondent at the Dardanelles says that Hill 70 is entirely scrub-covered, except ior a sandy gully near the top, forming a scimitarshaped scar without cover. The men in the afternoon reached the edge of the scimitar. The hill shook with the concussions of the naval guns, and gorse fires blazed at t'ne base of (he hill. At 0.20 the reinforcements of the Yeomanry advanced under a tremendous shrapnel fire, in full view, over the Salt Lake, an expanse of a mile of dry mud. flat as a billiard fable, and climbed tlie hillside. At 7.30 they launched an attack across tfle scimitar. As if running a race they swept across the gully with incredible rapidity, and vanished into the smoke and darkness on the hilltop. None doubted that the hill was captured, and there was profound disappointment when it was found to be untenable. The Indians on the northern flank from Anzac established themselves from Karaji Kaghala, in the hills, to Susalckuyu on the plain, where they touch the other corps. The summer is breaking, and the nights are growing colder. A strong north-easter is heralding the autumnal storms. The army will welcome any weather that will end the fly plague. A TURKISH REPORT. Received Sept. 5, 3.30 p.m. Constantinople, Sept. 4. S communique states: Our right wing of artillery dispersed an enemj battalion which was drilling. We silenced two hostile truns near Kerejedere

GERMANS SURPRISED.

AT BRITISH DOGGEDNE6S. Received Sept. 5, 3.10 p-m. Rotterdam, Sept. 4. German comments on the Dardanelles developments indicate that experts arc surprised, and warn the defenders against/ t/hcir former cocksiureness. They must not underestimate the British doggedness. The Britisli admitted that tliey expected to have many disappointments before the final success, and they did not expect important Anglo-French reinforcements to be sent. Italian help is more likely to gravely increase the Turkish difficulties. BY FIRE AND SWORD. TURKISH RAVAGES. Received Sept 5, 3.30 p.m. Athens, Sept. 4. The Turk's set fire to Ismld after massacring the whole population. [lsmid, population 20,000, is a station on the Anatolian railway, 50 miles south-east of Constantinople, and is situated at the head of the Gulf of Ismid. It is the residence of Greek &n4 Armenian bishops.] ADVICE TO ENVER PASHA. Received Sept. 5, 4.15 p.m. Amsterdam, Sept. 4. The Kaiser, ■ in decorating Etiv<"JM Pasha, wrote to him bidding him to continue to keep a good watch on the Dardanelles. A BRIDGE DESTROYED, Received Sept. G, 3.5 p.m. Athens, Sept. 4. Seamen landed in the Gulf of Imid from a British submarine and partly dynamited the railway bridge at Gebitze. Tlhey returned unharmed.