LAST NIGHT'S NEWS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 8203, 28 July 1915, Page 5

LAST NIGHT'S NEWS.

THE DARDANELLES

WHAT ADVANCES MEAN

LONDON, July 26. Mr Ashmead Bartlott's report continues: —- . i. r ' The territorials arc comm|, out, o} the fiery ordeal with a greatly, enhanced, reputation, and 'are settling; down .to the novel conditions. They have proved themselves to be- first-class fighters or great intelligence, and dash, and darmtn the first attack, on July 12, the Brigade on the right assaulted, and captured the third line of trenches bu. failed to establish a connection with the French on thoir right. Throughout.the day our heavy guns wore busj with a terrific bombardment till i o clock m the afternoon. . Against the left, where the Turkish line touched Achi Baba and tho Nullah, the Turkish positions looked appallingly strong —like a giant ploughed field with successive trenches -replacing tho furrows. In addition, the Turks on the right hold a regular rectangular redoubt perched on the edge of the ravine, clown which "thoy had placed concealed machine-guns. At 4 o'clock on the afternoon of July 12 ev/ory. gun was turned ou -the Turk-

ish trenches and redoubt. High explosives threw up great masses of earth, sand bags, and wooden beams to an immense height. Meanwhile not a Britisher or Frenchman was visible. At 5 o'clock the artillery lengthened its fuses and concentrated its fire on tho dead ground where the enemy was massing his reserves. At the same moment the Britishers leapt out of their trenches and surged forward. At the great redoubt and network of trenches the scene resembled a picture from the inferno. Our guns were shelling the works in; the rear, and made a grim background of earth and smoke. The ground resembled a gigantic steaming cauldron, but tho gallant brigade poured into the thick vapours without hesitating or looking backward. Individuals were soon smothered in the mist, and it was only possible to discern black dots rushing about with bayonets flashing in the shrouded sun. There was a continuous roar of musketry, the Turks resisting valiantly. \ When the smoke lifted, our' men wore everywhere in possession of the enemy's trenches. For n few minutes it looked an if tho redoubt would give trouble, but the Royal Scots never gave the Turkish, force a chance. They 1 swarmed un the escn/pment on all sides, and, jumping on the top, settled the argument with the bnyonet. Parties of tho Turks held out for an hour and a half in continuous fighting, but our; artillery made such a curtain of shrapnel that counter-attacks were impos-j-. sible. -.-.'■,- . . :'

By sunset the brigade had'raptured all the works attacked ondhe left, but were compelled to evacuate, two .captured trenches on the right. It was a great day for these soldiers-, who, desnito extre.Tno heat nnd their difficult task, foupht, like veterans.

The Turk haft' a partiality for nightfighting, when his inferiority in artillery is; not .annarent.- Throughout the night of the 12th rifln-fire was unceasing, and at dawn the noise was prescendo. The Turks brought up reinforcements, and attacked our weary men through the • communication trenches, with bombs and: bayonets. The Scots fought gallantly, but could not maintain all the ground they had won. They were driven out of two trenches, but clung stubbornly to the redoubt.

At daybreak the Staff examined the situation closely, and decided to' give the eneniy no rest, but follow up with another attack. The two exhausted brigades were withdrawn, and a naval division entered the front trenches. The field artillery at 4 in the afternoon opened fire on the shattered shambles of trenches, which were now knocked almost out of recognition. There was a high wind, and the bursting shrapnel throw up immense clouds of dust, obscuring the horizon. Our right moved forward at 4.30, amidst a terrible rifle-fire, regaining two of the trenches, but was held up at the third and fourth. It moved towards the right, advancing a long distance,, and skirting the enemy's works, but was unable to enter. Fighting on tho right continued for three hours. It was hidden from view, and it was impossible to know what was happening. Our attack on the left was completely successful. • It. was conducted with .the- utmost skill and dash. The infantry simply swept over everything, bayoneting all the Turks who did , not succeed in escaping down the saps.' The infantry finished their assigned task in' a few minutes,, but there was no stop- 1 ping them. They swept forward in small > parties as if they would 'never stop, despite shells and bullets. ' ,'lt looked as if• they intended to assault a fresh position,, but fortunately, the premature advance was checked in timo.

The Turks on our left were thoroughly demoralished by the final charge, and fled far to rearwards, to the foot of Achi Bnba, our shells pursuing them. At sunset we hold the whol.o of r tbe enemy's left, which was iirmly consolidated during the night.' Dospits every effort on tho right; we failed to take the last two linos. Wo consolidated the first two. Wo were opposed by three of the best Turkish regiments. Our infantry captured fIOO men.