WITH THE AUSTRALIANS AND NEW ZEALANDERS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1915, Page 7

WITH THE AUSTRALIANS AND NEW ZEALANDERS

DEFENCE OF QUINN'S POST s TURKISH DEAD TOO THICK TO COUNT {By Telegraph. —Press Association.-— Copyright.) (Received June 23, 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, 22ndrJune < Pouter's correspondent at the Dardanelles writes that on the 22nd May he Jvlsited the trenches of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which j repelled a Turkish attack on the 18th. The opposed lines were mostly from 50 to 200 yards apart. The scene can only be viewed through a periscope^ and even then one must be prepared to have the instrument smashed. Snipers fire directly they see it. Turkish dead were everywhere, a few yards from the "trenches, in some places too thick to count. THE SNIPER'S PARADISE. Fighting was hottest at two parts of the trenches called "Quinn's 'Post' 1 ftnd "Popes Head," the latter a hill 450 feet high, forming an islandin the line of jfoe trenches, and separated by a deep gully on each, aide from the rest of-j>he line. This is a poradiss for Turkish snipers. IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT A HEAD OUT. The attack began at midnight, with a bombardment of unprecedented vigour by shells of all calibres. It was literally impossible to put a head out of a dugout till the hail of shrapnel abated, but the damage was slight. Heavy rifle-fire followed at ' three in the morning, and an attack was then made in •great fprce on the whole line. j The main objective was Quinn's Post. lAt some points the Turks- reached the trenches, and were shot down; many being actually killed> in the trenches. ""The* attacks were repeated afc short intervals, with the same disastrous results. , v LAST GRAND ATTACK. The- enemy made a last grand attack at midday on the 19th, after another . thundering bombardment with every type of projectile. Our casualties were 1 singularly few. The Turks again gallantly attacked Quinn's Post, but wither* ed away before a blast of rifle and maxim fire. j Prisoners said the Turks brought a fresh division for this attack, and' j apparently half of it was sacrificed. ■" \ ABUSE OF THE RED GROSS. After the battle, a Turkish officer, with a doctor and stretcher-bearers, (appeared, facing the Australian and New Zealand 'tranches. The Australian divisional commander went out to meet them, and they asked for an armistice ' Jo remove their dead and wounded. " As night was approaching and the enemy's trenches were seen to be bristling with double rows of armed men* the divisional commander said he had no , ipower to arrange an armistice, and suggested that the Turks should renew their application in the morning ; meanwhile he would resume hostilities in ten minutes. Thereupon the party withdrew. ADVANCE BEHIND UNARMED MEN. Apparently the Turks intended to take advantage of a suspension of-artil-lery fire to mass men in the trenches under cover of the humanitarian activity pf tha doctors in the space between the lines. Later, masses advanced with fixed bayonets behind a screen of unarmed Eoldiers who held up their hands as if to surrender. The Australians detected the ruse, and their rifles and guns spoke all along |;he Kne. • ■The (Turks paid dearly--f or their attempt to *buse the 4 Red Cross flag. TOWN OF GALLIPOLI BOMBARDED BY ALLIED FLEETS (Received June 23, 8.30 a.m.)' _, . , PARIS, 22nd" 'June. The Pans Journal states that the Allied fleets on Monday bombarded • Gallipoli. Immense flames were seen in different parts of the town. • It is believed that the munitions stores, docks, and several military warehouses' are on fire.