THE DARDANELLES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16805, 15 March 1915, Page 7

THE DARDANELLES.

LANDING PARTY EN ROUTE. AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT. . By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. PARIS. March 12. It is officially reported that apart from General D’Ainade’s force, concentrated iu North Africa, a portion of the Allies’ landing force is already on route for tire Dardanelles. BULLION REMOVED FROM CONSTANTINOPLE. (Received March 15, 12.15 a.m.) ROME, March 14. The “ Giornalo d’ltalia. ” states that the Ottoman Bank, the Deutsche Bank and the Deutclie Orient Bank at Constantinople have removed their bullion to Brusa. in Asia Alinor.

BOMBARDMENT CONTINUED. ‘BULAIR SHELLED BY THE BRITISH. PARIS, March 13. An official report states that two British vessels bombarded Bulair and two battleships bombarded light batteries commanding Morto Bay, at the entrance to the Dardanelles, to prevent repairs. The French division continues operations.

ENEMY’S FIRING IMPROVING. ALLIES DESTROY IMPORTANT BRIDGE. BOMBARDMENT OJf SMYRNA. (Received March 15, 12.15 a.m.) ATHENS, March 13. The Allies destroyed a bridgo near a town on the Dardanelles used for the transport of artillery to the forts. The enemy’s lire has improved, probably owing to German gunners. Six unite have reinforced the Allied squadron. which bombarded the Smyrna forts. The Turks have evacuated the coastal villages and fled into the interior.

A TORNADO OF SHELLS. EXPERIENCE OF BRITISH WARSHIPS. (Received March 15, 12.15 a.m.) ATHENS, March 13. The Triumph’s officers relate that the battleship was for some time under a tornado of shells. The Triumph was seventeen times in action and fired two thousand rounds. She was hit fourteen times. Her funnel was riddled. A shell penetrated a turret where of fifteen men only one was killed.

When landing parties blew up the forts huge pieces of wreckage were hurled nearly across the strait.

TURKISH LOSSES. RESULT OF TWO DAYS’ BOM- \ BARDMENT. ROME. March 13. The “ Giornale d’ltalia” states that twenty Turkish officers and three hundred men were killed during the first day’s bombardment of the Dardanelles. A thousand were killed on the second day, including von Kobe. German commander of the Dardanelles.