WITH THE AUSTRALASIAN FORCES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2501, 30 June 1915, Page 8

WITH THE AUSTRALASIAN FORCES

DRIVING OUT THE TURKS

STIFF PROBLEM GALLANTLY FACED

' (From the "Melbourne Ago" Special Correspondent.)

Alexandria, May 23,

Official accounts will give details of the events day by day during the first fortnight of the campaign on the heights of 'Gaba Tepe. One of the first things that confronted the leaders was tho reorganisation of the army. While the troops were hanging on like grim death to tne ridges and liills, there would be no chance of separating the units and getting the regiments back into formation. It was inevitable they should be mixed up. 'l'hat was hardly, ill the circumstances, a fault. 1. he collection of the units and the reorganisation of the brigades, once the line was strongly enough entrenched, was a comparatively simplo matter, and was done under the cloak of night— Thursday, five days after the landing. Then the leader.s had to be chosen. You can judge from the casualty lists that promotions were rapid. . Non-commis-sioned officers suffered more severely than any others. Tlie example of these men was an incentive to brave deeds. One fears that in their efforts to gain information they needlessly exposed themselves to the fire of sharpshooters, which found them too often as they sat, glasses in hands, with a slight screen, searching for the hidden foe, that they wight direct the (ire of the men. Tlie arrival of the 11-oyal Naval Division held in reserve gave the men who had first landed a chjince for a rost, a clean up, and a good supply of food. The battering the naval guns had given the Turks during the first three days had inflicted terrible losses, and they showed little- inclination to come on after the Tuesday night, ivhen they launched a fierce counter-attack. Roughly speaking, we held two ridges. They held the third, which ivould give us the command of the Turkish communications and the valleys lying adjacent to Kojadere and Boghali. I can but name it as Hill 971. Troops Dig Themselves In. The troops had been digging for dayß, nor did they stop at night. On the right flank the enemy's tire had slackened, and wire entanglements had been erected °by our engineers. Searchlights were turned on the Turkish trenches, and the guns from the batteries and warships hurled shell and shrapnel into the Turkish position. Blinded by the light and stunued by the fury, of the guns, that tore huge holes in the earth defences, tho enemy could only remain in his positions while our troops placed entanglements and effected strong defences. The trenches were now sand-bagged and covered. Communication trenches led to the second line a mile in the rear on the edge of the plateau that overlooks Suicide Gully. YVe could but pour in rur rifle fire and keep the machine-guns trained on the gorge on the left. The position of the Turkish guns on Hill 971 and the general contour of the country rendered the completing of our defences more difficult, but this was accomplished almost as effectively as on the other flank.

There were places where the Turks had trenches 60 yards from ours, and in some cases closer. Where tho flanks converged the enemy was further distant, t'he ridge which he held being 400 yards away and 400 feet high. On Wednesday or Friday the troops were placed thus: On the right, the First, Second, and Third Brigades (the third mostly' in reserve), the Fourth Brigade in the centre. On the right of tho left flank was the Auckland Battalion, holding Walker's Ridge, called after General Walker. Then the Canterbury Battalion on the extreme left, with the Otago troops in reserve. There also was the Naval Brigade. Front of Seven Miles. The Whole front is probably about seven miles and the firing line is about three niilos from the beach. An examination of the position of the Turkish trenches which have been captured by us discloses tho thorough manner in which t'hey prepared against any landing. So fai as Gallipoli Peninsula is concerned, Kilid Bahr is tho Allies' groat objective. What an important part the Australian trops have already played and are playing in this historic attack will be realised. South of the present position of our main army, south-east of Gaba Tepe, is a valley that runs north between the high hills through Kojadere, Boghaji, Yalova, and up to Gallipoli. Jt is in the main a broad valley, rising in parts several hundred feet. It carries crops, vineyards, and olive groves. Tho population consists mainly of Greeks, who at tho outbreak of hostilities departed, mostly of their free will and some under compulsion. South of Gaba Tepe, the is flat. There is a gentle slope that rises towards the hill above Jlaidos. On the right, towards the end of Gallipoli Peninsula, the cliffs are almost precipitous, and bar the way towards Kilid Bahr from the west, and run in a southerly direction 700 feet high, gradually edging to the shore. Tho valley reaches to Ibrahim on the south and Gaba Tepe on the north, and is V shaped. Opening off this our warships lie, perhaps five miles distant. Turkish Preparations Against Landing. Along tho whole length of tho sandy beach the Turks ran a double lino of trenches. They aro a complete defence of the shore, backed as they are by batteries of two to eight guns, with redoubts of immense strength. All these defences were located by our aeroplanes, and were shelled with dire results to the Turks; but they still bar tho way to the main hill, and protect the road which leads to tho southern end of tho peninsula and direct to Kilid Bahr fort. The treucECs north reach to Gaba Tepe, where was at one time a battery, containing, I believo, twenty guns. This headland is entrenched, and tho trenches continue north. It was a section of theso our troops found held strongly, but they liavo since fallen into our hands. Ou the beach there are mines and barb wire entanglements that stretch 70 feet into the water. This is the tirst lino of defence. Behind this is a second lino, where lie the main Turkish camps. From the town of Maidos the second lino trendies ran parallel to the first to the vicinity of Maghrnu, and continuintr thence to Aclii Baba and Tree Hill and Krithia, they lie at the foot of Kilid Bahr, encircling it ariioligst tliicli scrub on the south at Maghran, and running through orchards and olive groves ou the north, jusc outside of ■Maidos. Where the ground rises immediately behind Ibrahim lies a hill GOO feet high, and trenches run up over this and command tlie road that winds through Ibrahim. To the north is. tho main Turkish camp. An eight-gun battery is entrenched there, and nearly JOriO tents are behind this again. Ovcrlookiug the ''amp is a furl her bnlter.v protwting Maidas from div&a liunwl attach

SLIGHT ADVANCE MEANS VICTORY

The roads in this vicinity are good and numerous. A further "camp is at Kojadere, 011 which a party of Australains stumbled during the first advance. It lies 011 the main road to Gallipoli. Guns Mounted on Rails. The Turks have mounted a number of guns on light railway lines, which occasionally come into view. Tim guns are moved along the front with extraordinary rapidity when once they are detected by the observation airship. 'Ihe guns of the warships, I hear, have blown up several, The Whole distance across the peninsula at this point is a little over 6000 yards, so that the battleships from the Straits have been able to shell our xxjsitiou. It is said the tioeben .shelled the position. Certainly the Turks have heeu using some very heavy artillery, probably of larger calibre than 6-inch. Their gun positions' west of Kojadere, immediately in front of our line, have been well placed, and have been silenced with the greatest difficulty by the warships. The connecting up trenches the Turks built wero shelters that could be located with t'he utmost difficulty. In them has been found sleeping accommodation for officers and large quantities of ammunition. Several show signs of being mined ready to be blown up, but in the haste of retreat the Turks neglected this. There is a story current that one of our reconnoitring parties did not return from one of these dugouts. A further party was sent, and found the lost men enjoying a good meal in the dugout made ready for the German officers, who had retreated from the position. Cermans Among the Dead. A conservative estimate of the Turkish losses is 20,000. Two Turkish army divisions opposed to the Australian position have since amalgamated. Scores of Turks were left in the trenches which our troops took with the bayonet, and the ground we command ;s thick with them. There is a percentage of Germans among the dead. It is calculated that at the beginning of operations there were 8000 Germans in the army. A great many wero gunners manning the forts and batteries. Some belonged to the crew of the Goeben, w'hile it is known Germans have been coming through Rumania in a steady stream, 'The Turkish'force may' be set down at 750,000 at the beginning of the w-ar as the highest possible figure. A great many of these were poor troops. On the peninsula' they have probably 80,000 meu. The manner in whidh the reserves were hurried up, both at Gaba Tepe and Sedd el Bahr, shows that they have a large force available. The quickest way for the troops to be thrown on to the peninsula is by sea, and wo hear that transports have been sunk in tho Straits While engaged iu this work. It would bo possible to bring one of the armies available in Asia Minor across the Straits at a point above the Narrows. The Turks have very strong batteries available to support their fixed forts. Some guns are of large calibre, but many are not. They are well concealed, but when located tihey are doomed by the fire from the warships. A large percentage of the shells failed to explode, and many were found filled merely with gunpowder. The enormous quantity of ammunition used during tho first three days by the Turks suggested that their supply was limitless, but it was noticed on subsequent days that the volume of fire was considerably reduced.

As I gather tho details of the position as it was four days ago ,we are strong enough on the heights, with the support of the guns of the warShips, to stand any attack. The Turks at nightfall creep up to the top of the ridge and fire into our trenches, but once they advance further our rifle fire does fearful execution. The throwing of hand grenades has been attempted by both sides where tJhe trenches are close together, and the troops exchange opinions. The Turks cry, "Allah! Allah!" and the Australians reply with, "Impsheu, you blighters!"—a phrase learnt in Cairo. Turkish Prisoners Expect to be Shot. On being taken to the beach Turkish prisoners inquired when they wero to be shot. Tneir surpriso was manifest when they were told they were to be shot. Their surprise was manifest when they were told they were to be treated as honourable prisoners of war. They regretted their comrades did not know this, because they would soon cease lighting. 1 can vouch for this incident. The Turkish army is fighting hard and fiercely, but I hardly think bitterly, as far as the troops are concerned. News has reached Australian headquarters that captured Australians in Constantinople are being treated according to the rules of warfare. This news will be welcome to many who regarded the Turkish army as on the same plane as the savage tribes. Scores of horrible stories are repeated here, but the majority would not stand tracing to the root. Many persons believe, and some in authority still insist, that tuo Turkish army, aftor a certain point, will crumble. I think, however, that when Gallipoli is clear, there arc many moves yet left to tho combuied strategy of the scientific Hun and tfte wily Turk. The lirst month's fighting shows clearly that tile enemy is going to dispute every inch of ground, and there is no idea of rolying solely on the sevoral lines of fixed defence they have so skilfully prepared. Only the magnificent courage of the English troops enabled a successful lauding to bo made. If troops had held the enemy's | position, it is agreed on all sides, no I force could ever have been landed at Gaba Tope, Sudd el llalir, and (Jape ' Holies. livery dcvice had been cmployed to make the peninsula impregnable —wire entanglements at _ likely landings, land mines at less difficult points protecting valuable positions, trenches equal to any dug in Franco for winter quarters, gun emplacements, tunnels, observation posts and redoubts, which had been constructed in tho three mouths' preparation for our reception. Jiut the landing has been mado; the enemy has been badly shattered, acknowledging twice our casualties, and lie is slowiv and surely being driven back. Harassed at Every Turn. If you study a good map you will find tho Turk in an unenviaDle position. Only as long as ho can keep intact the heavy artillery in the forts or mounted on rails or mechanical vehicles, can lie keep the invading army atann's length. Steaming right up to tho Narrows, throwing shell', on carefully-planned positions along the length of the peninsula, stormed from hoth sides, he has to li'oov tlttt direct, iieree irotlUl rHtaekft oi the allied torcus. The Turks 6till on

Achi Baba, or perhaps 011 a hill slightly in the rear, are supplied with food and ammunition by land and si-a still, but both operations are harassed. Now, the thorn in the side of the Turk is tho Australasian army at Uaba Tepe. As tlie '01 ee I' 10111 the end of tho peninsula drives back the iiead of the Turkish army, this thorn presses closer into its side. The 'lurk dare not give ground, for an advance of a mile, the gaining ot tho ridge and knoll 971, the objective ol' cur force, means the dominance of the central portion of the peninsula.

Each week it is becoming more obvious that tiic Turkish army between Maidos and Krithia -or Achi Balm is being forced back against a wall of steel —a line of Australasian bayonets that cannot be broken or bent. As the pressure becomes stronger and the greater becomes the peril of the enemy, they may dispute every foot of tho way from Achi Uaba to Kilid Balir, but if they lose the battle, and probably their army, the Allies' force may be compared to a steel trap hinging 011 a point like Imbros. The teeth are the armour plates and tho bayonets, and the fire and shell bursts from the jaws of the trap. Either the Turkish army escapes by sea or it is crushed. In it escape it must bo badly broken.

Only a limited number of men can be brought into action on this contracted front, or they must be better than ours to win. Defeat means the capture of tlie forts in the Narrows, or rather it means the taking of Kilid Bahr, and automatically the other forts must be reduced. When the time comes to evacuate the positions a terrible problem confronts the Turks, for unless the retreat is strongly protected by heavy artillery, they will be faced by a foe from the nortli and the south; that is, from either flank, with the awful presence of a fleet in their rear, besides indirect fire from the immediate front. Artillery may cover the retreat of tlie main army, enabling it to reach safety by transports crossing either to Asia Minor or running the gauntlet of shells from the guns we may mount on knoll 971. In retiring up tho strait in this case it must mean that tliey will lose some, if not all, their heavier artillery. The situation, therefore, has three aspects. Guns Sheltered In Tunnels. It is declared that Achi Baba, 600 feet high, is honeycombed with trenches anil tunnels, and that nothing short of the destruction of the hill by the 10-ineh shells of the Queen Elizabeth can complete its capture. After months of bombardment there arc certainly guns 011 it not yet located. They must be sheltered in tunnels, for they disappear, and neither balloons nor aeroplanes can locate them. The hill, moreover, is mined at scores of points. It is ridged with trenches. The village of Krithia beneath is in our hands, so are the foothills. The Allied forces are spreading round the base, but on the west the hill is strongly defended, and the enemy is entrenched from this point north in a line running parallel to the shore, and passing within three miles of the position at Gaba Tepe, but the capture of Achi Baba -would give a sweep of the country risht up to the heights of Kilid Bahr. Hill 971. On the first dav of landing isolated parties of Australians reached a ridge which ends on the west in Hill 971. Being isolated parties, they had to retire'. The ridge is not a mile from the firing line. To-day it is our objective. From it we can sweep the valley leading to Maidos and Kilid Bahr. The whole of the Turkish land communications will he cut, and we will be able to pour our fire down into Bokhali, Kojadere, and Cojada, where lies tho Turkish camp. The Narrows, too, are under observation and control, but again the Turks have rendered what they regard as impregnablo this hill and ridge in much the same way a.s they have fortified Achi Baba. Neither hill is beyond the reach of the guns of the warships. It seems, therefore, that tho Turks have but two alternatives once, the Allies settle round the foot of- Kilid Bahr. Either they must turn back to try and force back the jaws of the trap shutting from the north and from the south, or they must endeavour to evacuate the peninsula. In the first event they will be crushed. In the second they will be broken.