MAGNIFICENT CHARGE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15944, 15 June 1915, Page 8

MAGNIFICENT CHARGE.

GABA TEPE LANDING.

EYE-WITNESS'S DESCRIPTION.

The landing of the Auckland and Waikato Infantry Co ,rm! " ,; unon the beaches of Gaba Tepo was witnessed by Drivor It. 'A. Steele, Divisional Signalling Company, from the deck of the transport which conveyed them from Lcmnos. During tho return voyage to Alexandria with wounded men, lie wrote a description of the day's events, in a letter received by yesterday's mail.

"The Australians landed first, about 2 a.m. on Sunday, April 25—a great day in = our history. They were rowed ashore in small boats by the navy, jumped into the water waist deep, fixed bayonets, and made a magnificent charge- on the Turks, driving them hard up the steep cliffs. The Australians are tho boys to fight—real Britons.

Our ship, the Lutzow, reached the scene of action about 8, a.m. with the whole of the Auckland Infantry Battalion and half the Canterbury Battalion, the divisional headquarters, and our signalling company. Our ship was tho flagship— hence tbo headquarters beinir on board. Our infantry landed about 9.30 a.m. The 3rd, Auckland, and 16th. Waikato, Companies reinforced the Australians on the left flank, and, I regret tosav, experienced terrible nVhting. resulting in heavy casualties. The signalling company landed with the infantry, and was stationed on the beach. We' drivers had to remain on board in charge o' our horses, it being impossible to lt.nd horses and transports. We were anchored just off the shore, nmone other troopships and battleships, tho latter I*s in nil. besides seven destroyers, and in the midst of the enemy's shells." Driver Steele states that three hospital ships were in readiness to receive the wounded, and the Lutzow _ and another troopship were also requisitioned. The wounded men beean to arrive on Sunday evening. All the life-boats were sent to the beaches for the wounded, and were continually engaced in taking men off during that night and nil next dav. On Tuesday morning, the Lutzow and another troopship, both full of wounded, left for Alexandria, arriving there on Thursday, April 29. Describinsr tho scene of the landing, Driver Steele wrote: " The country _is very rough and steep in parts, with thick scrub waist high, in which the Turks have scattered a huge number of snipers. They seemed to be everywhere, and shot down our officers fa«t. Of course, during the time of our landing, all our battleships were bombarding the coast and the Turkish forts, doine great damage. Our boys are doing well now and making good progress. " The British' Tommies landed further down the coast, with no opposition, until they got well inland, and when we left the seat of action they were in touch with our boys, and giving the Turks hell between them."