GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18086, 1 May 1919, Page 8

GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN.

GENERAL BIRD WOOD SPEAKS. Interesting references to the Gallipoli Campaign were made at a luncheon given by the Australian and Now Zealand Luncneon Club in Loudon to General .birdwood and Mr Winston Churchill. General Birdwood, who was received with enthusiasm, said he realised that in welcoming him as they had done they were merely extending a greeting to the brave men ho had the proud opfiortunity of having as comrades these ast four years. Of his feelings for them it was extremely difficult to speak. Living with them day in and day out, in tiipes of bad weather and . in times of fair weather, in times of great anxiety and' trouble and in time 3 of jubilant victory, he had got to, know them well, and had not only formed feelings of great/admiration for them soldierly qualities, but had regarded them as comrades and friends. To the last days of his life he would see_ the figure of the Anzac soldier either toiling those steep hills in Gallipoli or trudging through the mud of France. (Hear, hear.) That they left Egypt a trained and fighting force was due to that great soldier, statesman and Englishman, Lord Kitchener. (Cheers-) The spiing of 1915 found them at Gallipoli, and no doubt there were some who would wish him to go into details of the doings there. ' That was impossible. There were no words in which he could adequately describe the valour and magnificent work done by the troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula. Ha referred not only to the Anzac troops, hut to others, specially the glorious 29th Division—(cheers) —for whom they had always had the most heartfelt admiration. The gallantry, devotion and determination of the _ troops there oregted a reputation which lasted them throughout the whole of the war. (Hear, hear.) There were one or two things outstanding in connection with the Gallipoli campaign. One was t'.e clore association between the Australian and the New Zealand troops. _ It was, he believed, almost the first time in history that the two had formed one fighting Going ronnd the trenches, as he used to,’ a New Zealander would snv to him in quite a surprised tone v of voice, l> You know, sir, these Australians are as good men os we are, 1o which ho replied, “Well, what else would you expect to find?” Then an Australian would come" up to him, and say, “ Do you know, Mr Birdwood—(loud laughter)—we had no idea there New Zealanders were such lino fighters as they are,” to which lie replied, “ Well, you are really beginning to find out that such is the case-” (Renewed laughter, and cheers.) Surely m the future Australia and New Zealand must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder, seeing eye to eye, as one mtion in all that affected their defence. If they could do that they would bo able to face the future with perfect confidence, knowing that the British flag would continue to fly with honour for all time over the uttermost parts of the British Empire. (Cheers.) Another notable point was the chw association between their troops and the British Navy. In his first despatch after the landing, Sir lan Hamilton—that gallant and distinguished soldier to whom the herculean task was '’iitrusted—(cheers) —described the navy as being both their father and mother: and, indeed, it was. They were <epenclent on the navy, and never once did the navy fail thorn. Indeed, be might almost say that, having looked after the troops all day. the navy proceeded to tuck them m at night. (Laughter.) . It was a very sad day for them wlwn they had to leave the peninsula.. It was obvious they had been unable to achieve the immediate object aimed it, but he was confident that when history came to sum up the operations of ,the war full justice would be done to the efforts of tho Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Cheers-) They might take it that those who fell did not die in vain- (Hear, hear.) , , “ Remember,” General Birdwood continued, “ it was there on the Gallipoli Peninsula that the flouer of .the Turkish army was well nigh annihil-\ ated. We struck so close to the heart of the Ottoman empire that it was only natural that her best troops should be sent to meet us, and we knew .at the time how reinforcements and new divisions looked with dread at being sent to what they called the s^ u f-b-ei' house,’ a fitting tribute to the fighting n of the troops there, who were never too well’ off for ammunition. I t-hiuk, therefore, we may take credit, not only for the military destruction lie were able to achieve, but for starting the : breakdown of the morale of tho Turkish empire.” (Cheers.)