OUR ARMY IN ACTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2515, 17 July 1915, Page 6

OUR ARMY IN ACTION

THE GREAT FEAT PRAISE FROM CENERAL BIRDWOOD. Commendation of tlio New Zealanders i.s contained in a letter from General Birdwood to the ilon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, date May 15': ' "You will liave seen details of the landing at Gallipoli Peninsula," he reports. "The Australian Division was leading on this occasion, so naturally they camc in for most of the work; but the New Zealanders immediately followed in support, and they came in for an equally hot' time. . . I am exceedingly sorry about Colonel Stewart's death, as he was a gallant officer, and was doing well. Another officer (named) was wounded in the wrist, and refused to hand over 'his duties, and I hear he has now been wounded again while temporarily under my command. Without seeing the ground we had to fight over, it is impossible to realise the work that was dono by our troops. It is almost unbelievable that they could have effected a landing and' immediately secured the position we have. Nothing but-.absolute boldness and dash on the broad front on which we attacked could possibly have led to success, for it was only by a combination of these that we were enabled to rattle the Turks, and get them 011 the run before they were able to bring up their reserves and concentrate against us. Having gained our position, we had a very_ hot ■ time, end for three nights and. days we. did not-' gain a.moment's peace, the enemy doing his best to drive us into tho sea while we were still weak ashore.

"Wo are, I think, in for a great deal icoro fighting. IJut, whatever our future may be, nothing can detract'from tho achievement of tile Australians, and New Zealanders so far. I liavo just received a letter from a high authority, who writes: 'Tho 'achievement on Ciallipoli_ Peninsula will be quoscd as leng as history lasts.'

"At present we havo . . . before us a perfect Gibraltar of a position, known as the Kilicl Bahr plateau, which commands the Narrows, and which has its flanks thoroughly protected on . either side by tho. Dardanelles, so you will realise to some extent what the difficulties are before us. Tho Turks aro no mean fighters, and, as Uie Sultan of Egypt said to me on bidding mo goodbye: 'Wo niust .be prepared to meet here the flower of tho Turkish Army." "At tho beginning- of the month I had to send off tho New Zealand Infantry Brigade , and 1 an Australian Infantry Brigade temporarily, to help tho forces further south. Both these brigades are stilly down there, and I am delighted to think that they will be rejoining mo again almost immediately., I ■hear that both have dono splendid service there, but I fear they have lost heavily, so that they can only return in depleted numbers.

"Fortunately your have always such excellent reinforcements from New Zealand that we feel this loss less" than we otherwise would. Tile Ist and 2nd Reinforcements we have'.with us, and I hope tho 3rd will arrive immediatelyfrom Egypt. *1 need hardly say that those you have sent meet with our approval, both in physique and training. We are most thankful for thom, and look forward to welcoming tho 4th towards the end of tlio month."

Of tlio' Maoris, General Birdwood writes that ■he had "suggested they should join liini, and if that was approved tlio Minister could rest assured lie would do his best, to take any special care he could of thom.