VIVID ACCOUNT OF EVACUATION OF ANZAC

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 6593, 22 January 1916, Page 3

VIVID ACCOUNT OF EVACUATION OF ANZAC

Given in Medical Officer's

Diary.

Rec Jau 21, 2.10 pm

London, Jan 20 There is no more vivid account of the evacuation of Anzac than that givgn in a medical officer's diary, which has been published in the Manchester Guardian.

Writing on December 10th,' the officer says : « We were astonished to | learn that we may be leaving with the guns. On the 1 lth we received orders to evacuate with the hospital eases. On the 12th we were told secretly to be ready to embark at any moment. The weather was dead calm. There was much excitement. It was a terribly difficult feat, as any hitch would mean a great disaster. On the 13th evacuation commenced. It was a desperate business. Many guns were shipped from Auafarta. The plain already had a deserted appearance. We live in expectatian of an attach at any moment. All stores were transported t'.jis evening to the embarkation point. The final scene will bo thrilling. The casualties are estimated possibly at from six thousand to ten thousand. Wo learnt later that the last troops to be withdrawn would be the old main body, Australians and- New Zealanders. They were the first to laud and the last to leave and played a glorious part."

On the 1-3 th the officer wrote : — "We expect to leave to-morrow night. The eve of the final retreat is a very trying day. The line is precariously thin. Only a few canaon are left, which fire a great deal to compensate for the others, If the Turks attack strongly nothing can save disaster. Their artillery Ims scarcely been fired for two days. Our warships are firing incessantly at Helles. Perhaps the Turks think we will try another assault on Achi Baba. The weather is due. We never studied the sky with, so much apprehension." "The 16th passed without event," wrote the officer. "It was an anxious night. The roads and saps seem deserted aud it seems impossible that the Turks do not realise what we are doing."

On the 17th the officer wrote :— "We have definite orders* to depart to-morrow uight. The suspense is trying. The Turks are extraordinarily quiet. Our few guns make a brave s'.iow."

On the 18th :—" The whole place seems deserted. We could not wish for better weather for the grand finale. Our aeroplanes are aloft; all day long and keep olf the enemy observers. The garrison has been reduced. I To-morrow the remainder will embark, or what is left of them. The evacuation hitherto has been a tremendous success. To-morr_>w night will be very critical."=

On the 10th:—"We left Anzac last evening and marched to the saps leading to the pier. No word was spoken, and not a match was struck a^ we proceeded rapidly and silently in the darkness, ail keyed up, fearing to hear rifle lire at any moment. A few shells burst near the pier. We embarked with wonderful despatch, the wharf beiug covered with sacks to deaden the footfalls. We re.ichfd Mudros early in the morning. We arrived in camp in the evening and slept deep and long, all being terribly weary from the strain. The first Anzac ' Diehards! arrived in the afternoon, and the last came in at five o'clock in the evening. They marched along a roacUa mile lung between lines of cheering troops Very proud they looked as the mcii cheered. None could forget those straiurd, exhausted, and dauntless faces. Their only casualties were three sprained aokles. Xhc troops are as full of fight as ever and will yet win some groat battles.!!