WITH THE FIFTH.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1916, Page 3

WITH THE FIFTH.

NIGHT LANDING AT OALLIPOLI. FIRST ACTION DESCRIBED. "We had always been taught at Trenthaui tha'fc firing at night was useless, and that practically every attack was made at dawn,-'' writes Sergeant L. A. Burns, in describing the night landing of the Fifth Reinforcements at Gallipoli. "Yet here was rifle fire and artillery fire proclaiming that a most extensive attack was being carried out in inky darkness. "We rcjached Lctmios Island on August 8," he says. "A huge liner was lying in harbor with troops on board. They had just arrived from England, and they lined the decks and trigging to cheer us. That evening we were packed like sardines on steam trawlers. Two or three of us crouched together on the upper deck to try flnd keep warm, and spent 1 the four or five hours' trip singing sentimental songs. No smoking was allowed. . . . Tlio operation of landing was dangerous, and the captain of the trawler swore and cursed at us for not being quicker in jumping on to the lighters. The sea was choppy and it was a most awkward transfer.

"We arrived at a jetty (in Anzac Cove) without a casualty, and clambered ashore. Right off the mark we went for a three-mile march to reinforce the New Zealanders on No. 3 outpost. Dawn was breaking, and while marching along the sap onNtlie beach several men were hit by stray and snipers' bullets. Having arrived at the outpost, we were ordered to sit down and eat. Dead bodies, English and Turk, with hideous gaping wounds, limbless and headless, disclosed that there had been a sharp tussle at that spot. I was tired beyond words, and these sights gave me a nauseating feeling hard to describe, but much to my surprise I didn't feel any of those 'funk' sensations that wo talk about. I felt that I wanted to get into it and get it over. Alas, the getting ints is easy enough, but the getting over is another matter. The first New Zealanders I met were A. E. T. Rhodes, of Christ's College, and 'llacky* Vincent. Later in the day I met Lieutenant Gordon McCallnxi, of Addington. He was jt.st back from a charge, during which, he said, lie had found much difficulty* in pushing a bayonet through a Turk's generous supply of clothing. "It was just after dark when we vere ordered to join our companies in the firing-line. Mr. Thorn, the officer in charge of the remainder of our company, procured some rum and a welcome ration was issued. We loaded our rifles and started off, but before we had gone far it was impossiblo to distinguish between platoons or companies. We climbed Die hill and then reached the comparative safety of a track at the bottom of a valley. "Tommies" of Kitchener's Army lined the track along its whole length of about a mile and a half. Mules, tended by Indians, passed and repassed us, loaded with water and ammunition, and being hastened to the firing line. Wounded men were lying on stretchers, and the bearers were doing their best to neb them away, while others, ;iot so seriously hit, were helping each other down tho hill. The \mules had to no watched. Several times, between compulsory tfalts, I found myself jammed between a mule loaded with ammunition .boxes and a high, steep bank, and only by pushing with «ny whole strength could I save myself from being seriously squeezed. At other times we had much difficulty in saving men on stretchers from being trampled on. Our line had been broken up by these causes, hut we at last neared tho top of the hill, and there word was passed back to halt, and it soon became evident that the Turks' '.winter-attack had been repulsed, and we were to stay on tho road until daylight. Exhausted as we all were, the noise of the guns failed to keep anyone awake. That was my first experience of war, and it made a lasting impression on me. "At daybreak we received orders to advance to the crest of a hill called the Apex, in extended order. An enemy battery found us out and in a few minutes casualties had occurred. . . . Then we went to a green slope called Rhododendron Kidge, and spent most of the day in organising and being appointed to our different companies. I met fellows of the main body and heard sad news of many others." ,