DESPERATE FIGHTING ON GALtIPOLI

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2551, 27 August 1915, Page 7

DESPERATE FIGHTING ON GALtIPOLI

CRUISERS PENETRATE THE DARDANELLES FOUR TROOP TRANSPORTS SUNK BY BRITISH SUBMARINE • - , ' By Tdegrftpl-Piesa ABaooiation-Oopyiißht m . ~.. , Athens, August 25. ' , ,? f t llO , Alll K cruisers penetrated the Dardanelles 011 Sunday last and successfully bombarded the batteries at Kathanea. . Desperate fighting continues on the sector KitziaAri Burnu Last week a British submarine sank four large sloops that were transporting troops from Lapsaki to (xallipoh. BIG TRANSPORT SUNK BY FRENCH AEROPLANE •i '• xx ~,, lt • , •„ , Paris, August 25. A communique states: "At the Dardanelles the British left wing in the northern zone has made fresh progress during the past few days carrying about 900 yards of the enemy's trenches. Operations in the southern zone have been confined to artillery actions and patrol encounters. • "A French company oil the night of August 23 successfully surprised a Turkish listening post. A. counter-attack was repulsed. "Our aviation squadron, despite violent iiro from the enemy's batteries, successfully bombarded' the landing-place at Akbaslii Bay, on the European coast, north of Nagara.. One of our aeroplanes sank a big Turkish transport at Iher moorings. 1 /TIE GREAT BATTLE ON GALLIPOLI SANGUINARY STRUGGLE FOR THE HEIGHTS. The High Commissioner reports London, August 25, 9.55 p.m. The War Office reports as follows on the progress of the fighting since August 6 on the western extremity of Gallipoli"There were two separate lines of attack—first from the old Anzac position, principally delivered Bv th® Australians and New Zealancjers, and the second, from'the new landing at Suvla Bay, where, a fresh army was employed. An attack was also made from Cape Heilcs tsw:yr<Js Krithia. "There was very severe'and continuous fighting, with, heavy losses on both sides, and our forces have'not yet gained their objectives in either sphere though a decided advance has been made, greatly increasing the area held. ' "The attack from Anzac, after desperately-contested actions,, was carried to the summit of the Sari Bahr .and Chanuk Bahr ridges, dominating the positions, but owing to the attack from Suvla not making the progress especte<j, the troops from Anzac were unable 'to maintain their position" on the actual crest Ijne, after repeated counter-attacks being forced to withdraw to positions boloir. -These positions were consolidated effectively. The Attack at Suvla. "The attack from Suvla was not developed quickly enough, but the ground gained in both attacks was sufficient to enable the lines to connect along a fiont of over"l 2 miles. ''Further reinforcements arriving, we Tenewed the-attack on August 21 on the centre of the new extended line. The Anzac troops, on the left, successfully advanced threoquarters of a mile, and oil the rest of the battle front tile advanced Turkish trenches were stormed, all the divisions reaching point's on the slopes of the hills forming the enemy's centre, but after several hours' sharp fighting were unable tq gain the summits, and were withdrawn to the, original front. "The "ground gained and held is of great value, but the public nmst not suppose that .the true objective has been gained. Further serious and costly efforts are required before we can gain a decisive victory." _ The Press message on the above subject is a'duplicate of the High Commissioner's, with the following addition:— "Tho great power of a defensive under modern conditions explains the difficulties facing our troops; once the advantage of a surprise is lost in close fighting, which is attended by the varied fortunes of repoated attacks and counter-attacks. In all phases of these battles the losses inflicted on the enemy wore undoubtedly, much heavier even than our own." THE NIGHT OF THE LANDING AT SUVLA ■ 0 I DESCRIBED BY MR. ASHMEAD EARTLETT. (Roc. August 26, 10.15 p.m.), • London, Angtist 26. . Mr, Asl)in6«ld Bartlett (the war correspondent) writes:—^ <{ For nearly threo weeks prior to August 8, and since the last attack by our right., wing on j Achi had been almost an cnliro cessation of the fighting in Gallipolj. During this period both sides strenuously prepared for a tremendous rjjash of arms. _ Up to. the present timn, wc had been continuously engaged in a.' ( strnggli3 against heavy on a restricted front, which did not permit of strategic movements for turning oui, the enemy from positions, and necessitating' frontal attacks." The arrival of,the premised rciiiforwmeftU from JJjjg* '<Qjarl has now wublcd Sir lan Hamilton to undertake a flankitm ffoycjaeai qu (

a grand scale. ' ['Jans were laid, in tho hope of surprising the Turks, and obtaining a firm foothold before tlioy could bring up reinforcements. "In this it seems that we have been successful. There was general rejoicings among the troops when it was known that the period of preparation had ended, and the hour for action had arrived. Throughout August 6 dense.' musses of fully-equipped infantry moved to t-lie quay and embarked, whilst covcrine parties were taken on board two cruisers. The troops wore in excellent spirits and full of fight. These* men have not the physique of the colonials. but were trained to the hour, and were as liard as nails, 'l'hey marched away, cracking jokes, and singing familiar songs. On the previous day Sir liin Hamilton had issued a stirring proclamation to the Army. .As the stm went down oil August 0 the culm waters rellcctcd a stirring spectacle. livery warship, destroyer, and traiisiiort was crowded with soldiers, Hacked like sardines. Behind lay a forest of deserted tents, the last home thousands would ever know. It was a grand sight, but one coulcl'fiot overcome a feeling of a great tragedy in'tlio lives and homes of many in England, who would bo eagerly waiting for news. All lights on board-were extinguished, and at sunset a heterogenous collection of weird craft lay in absolute darkness. > 'Throughout the early hours of tho night, and up to tlio moment of. tlie landing at Suvla. Bay, none knew their destination. It was a terrible country to land in a. country lor air operation of tho sort to which tho Australians and Aew Zealan tiers were peculiarly suited. It was a pitch black night, arid about two o clock 111 the morning tho first lighters made for the shore. Three beaches had been selected, but eventually only two were used." . A Carefully Rehearsed Plan. "None who have not seen the landing of a large army on a hostile shore nave any idea of tlie enormous preparations and relieareal which precedes such a movement._ For three weeks this was going 011 incessantly, the division practising embarking and disembarking until every officer and man knew the exact role he had to play. Nothing was left to chance; everything was worked out to the minutest detail. On August 6 the preparations were complete. Ti;|e> main movement, had been preceded by a general bombardment of the Turkish trenches round Aclii Bab;!, and in tho afternoon a division successfully carried several lines of Turkish trenches, but thisj however, was really a feint to hold the enciny round the mountain and frighten him from moving his troops to reinforce the other positions. • "The brigade landed on tlie northern spit, and advancing along the Kigldogs ridgo gained sonic three miles of front, and entrenched,and held their ground all day. Simultaneously a division disembarked 011 tho southern • spit, the enemy holding the small hill of Lala. Baba 011 their immediate front. There was a short, sharp fight before the hill was rushed at tile point of the bayonet. Afterwards 1 a group of Turkish snipers caused some casualties. At dawn both divisions had firmly established themselves, holding both spits and the low, narrow neck running across the front of tho Salt Lake. "At daylight the Turkish artillery shelled the neck and landing places, a couple of batteries _jn action firing accurately, but the shrapnel burst high, and caused feiv casualties, while the common shell, bursting in the soft sand, did little .damage. The precision with which the mass of men landed was most • remarkable, and the country may be proud of hearing how they faced tho enemy under heavy shell-fire for the first time. "While these operations progressed, heavy firing was heard at Aiizac, showing that the Australians and New Zealanders and the other divisions were advancing, which was. of. the utmost importance in order to secure a sufficiently wide front quickly for tlio deployment of the troops advancing against the Anafarta Hills. "The operations were splendily carried out, and battalion after battalion moved across the narrow causeway fronting tho Salt Lakqj 'under heavy shellfire, unwaveringly. Our cruisers furiously bombarded the enemy's positions, but were unable to.locate acourately, and silence his fire. Our Field Battery and Mountain Battery took up a position at Lala'Baba, and rendered effective support. . ' ' "One division passed the causeway, wheeled id the right towards the Anafarta Ridge, and found themselves in broken, woody ground, where the advance was temporarily checked. Simultaneously a brigade of the same division moved southward. "At 11 o'clock in the morning a Taube endeayoured to bomb the ships, . but missed them all. Late in the afternoon the wind sprang np, and a violent downpour of rain threatened to interfere with the landing, but the cooler htnidsphero refreshed the troops. The advance w'as continued, and we swept inland under heavy shell and rifle fire, the long lines keeping formation as beautifully as on parade. The Turkish gunners vainly tried' to cheek the advance, but ,tlio line swept forward 'midst clouds of smoke and dust blown up by bursting shells, and finally joined up with the infantry, who'had advanced from tho - other side of tho/lake. Before darkness fell the two battalions captured the advanced position of Yilghin Burnu. This ended the day's fighting, and a successful landing! .We had everywhere penetrated three miles inland." TURKISH'OFFICIAL'COMMUNIQUE.. * (Rec; August 26, 11.30 p. 111.) Amsterdam, August 26. , A Turkish communique states : "The enemy on Sunday evening, near Ari Burnu, after heavy grenade, machine-gun. and rifle firo, attacked Kaulivua. Our counter-attack destroyed the majority of the enemy, who made a similar attempt 011 Monday near Yecliil Tepe and SanRU Bail', but retreated after suffcrine severe losses." LOUD PEACE CLAMOUR IN .CONSTANTINOPLE. (Rec. August 26, 10.10 p.m.) Rome, August 26. Italy's declaration of wot has.caused confusion and demoralisation at Constantinople. The Turkish Ministers have made further offers to Bulgaria, but the people are loudly demanding peace. COAL SHIP SUNK IN! THE BLACK SEA, , ' Pritrogracf, August 25. Russian torpedo-boats sank a large coal-laden sailer, bound for tho Bospliorus. SERBO-BULG ARIAN RAPPROCHEMENT ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, August 25. Servian papers favour, an agreement with Bulgaria. M. Pashitch (the Premier) made an explanation ,on Servia's foreign policy- in the Skuptchina. It is understood he declared himself in favour of making a concession to Bulgaria, trusting to the judgment of the Entente. IMMINENT MOBILISATION IN GREECE. Rome, August 25. General mobilisation in Greece is imminent. M. Vonizelol (the Premier) is energetically preventing contraband trade in favour of Turko-Germany, and suppressing German corruption. '