FORCING THE STRAITS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15944, 15 June 1915, Page 4

FORCING THE STRAITS.

.♦'A STUPENDOUS TASK,"

GREAT ARMY - REQUIRED.

TllO days o'f the Turk in Europe arc numbered, but no one will deny that he is dying hard and game, wrote Mr. E. Ashmead Bartlett from the Eastern Mediterranean, just prior to' the landing of the attacking forces. It came as a disagreeable shock to many to read on the morning (A March 19 that two British battleships and one French had been sunk in the Dardanelles, while several others had been hit and damaged.

If it was almost impossible to overcomo the obstacles in the early days of the nineteenth century the difficulties and dangers of the passage have been increased tenfold now by long-range weapons, torpedoes, and mines. Nevertheless, the navy is of opinion that the Narrows can bo forced in spite o'f these obstacles, and this opinion has been strengthened and confirmed by the great trial of March 18. It might mean the loss of ships, but if the occasion justified the sacrifice the fleet would not hesitate to make the attempt.

But unless there is a powerful army Toady to occupy the Gallipoli Peninsula the moment the fleet passed into the Sea of Marmora, or made its way to Constantinople, the Straights would immediately be closed behind it, and supposing the Turks, backed up by German officers and German intrigues, decided to continue the war, it would have to fight its way out and again clear the minefield. It has long been an accepted axiom of naval warfare that ships are of no use against forts, or that they fight at such a disadvantage that it is not worth while employing them for such a purpose. The Turkish soldier fights very well behind entrenchments, but he is a very bad gunner, and .possesses absolutely no knowledge of the science of war. Had the defence of the Straits been left in his hands alone, the Allied Fleet would most probably have been off Constantinople by now. But the Turkish army, directed by highly-trained German officers, and having the advantage of their science and technical skill, is a very different enemy. One must give the Germans their due meed of praiso for tho manner in which they have adapted tho defences to meet the immense power of ships' guns. Tho more the task of forcing the Straits is examined, the more stupendous proportions does it assume. We do not know what numbers of troops the Turks have on tie Peninsula, and on the Asiatic side, but it must not bo forgotten that they have had amplo time and ample warning to bring up any reinforcements which aro available from the needs of tho other theatres of war. They are entrenched up to their necks, and have placed barbed wire round every position. A great army is required to ensure success. The occupation of tho Gallipoli Peninsula would probably enable tho Straits to be cleared for the ships to pass, because the northern shore commands'the southern, and tho enemy's artillery on the Asiatic side could thus be kept at a distance.