ON GALLIPOLI.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10510, 14 February 1928, Page 5

ON GALLIPOLI.

BRITISH WITHIN ACE OF SUC» CESS VAN SANDERS’ MEMOIRS CRISIS HUNG ON KNIFE EDGE (United Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association). * (Received Feb. 13, 11 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 13. Von Sanders’ book, “Five Years in Turkey” just translated into English, contains interesting revelations that the* Dardanelles crisis decision hung on a knife edge. Von Sanders adds: “Had the British succeeded, the fortress of the straits would have been quickly silenced, as it had little ammunition, anfid thus there, would have been no further difficulty in the way to Constantinople” After the failure of the naval attack it was clear to him that Britain would not relinquish such an obvious prize. “Fortunately, a full month elapsed, enabling us to complete the most indispensable arrangements. Though the British under-estimated the powers of the Turks, it was most fortunate for us that the British attacks did not last more than a day. They were punctual with pauses fpr several days.”

Von Sanders says the British had they known it, were within an ace of success.