EXTRACT FROM TURKISH ORDER

Bruce Herald, Volume LI, Issue 68, 2 September 1915, Page 4

EXTRACT FROM TURKISH ORDER

FROM THE ' PENINSULA PRESS.' Sapper J. W. Hamilton, of Mataura, who has been invalided home from the Dardanelles, lias received a copy of the 'Peninsula Press,' which is printed by the printing section of the Roval Engineers at the Dardanelles. The paper, which is printed on a single sheet about 14in long and Sin wide, contains interesting official war news from which we take the following:— The following extract from Turkish orders shows that the Turks have passed the limit of their resources in trained men and have to fall back on recruits who join the ranks without any preparation: "The men of the Ist ancl 2nd Companies of the 127 th Regiment, in order to learn how to load and fire the rifle and to take aim, must have their practice cartridges in small quantities.' The Turk is a stubborn defender of prepared positions, though there are times when he fails to satisfy his leaders, who complain of trenches "lost through carelessness." Colonel Rifaat, who commands the 11th Division, declares that "it is our principle not to lose any trenches captured from the enemy." To enforce this principle he hais issued the following order : "Henceforth commanders who surrender these trenches, from whatever side the attack may come, before the last man is killed, will be punished in the same way as if they had run away. Especially will the commanders of units told off to guard a certain _ front be punished if, instead i of thinking about their work, supporting their unite and giving information to the higher command, they only take action after a regrettable incident has taken place. I hope that this will not occur again. I give noticetthatt t if it does I shall carry out the punishment. I do not desire to see a Mot made on the courage of our men by those who escape from the trenches to avoid the rifle and machine-gun fire of the enemy Henceforth I shall hold responsible all officers who do not shoot with their revolvers all the privates who try to escape from the trenches on any pretext."—(Signed) Colonel Rifaat, Commander of the 11th Division. "The Commander of the Ist Batl talion.—The contents will he communicated to the officers, and I promise to carry out the orders till the last drop of our blood has been shed."—(Signed) Hassan, Commander of the 127 th Regiment. (Signatures of company commanders follow.)