OFFICIAL STORY OF NEW ZEALANDERS' ADVANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16007, 27 August 1915, Page 7

OFFICIAL STORY OF NEW ZEALANDERS' ADVANCE.

TROOPS axiy SUMMIT of sabt baie. ;|j FORCED TO WITHDRAW BY CHECK AT SUVLA. MORE COSTLY EFFORTS REQUIRED BEFORE VICTORY IS WON By Telecrat>h—Press Association—Copyright, (Received August 26, 7.55 p.m.) London, August 35. The Government Press Bureau ha.s issued the, following report: "It is now possible to give a further account of important, operations since August 6 in the western extremity of the. Gallipoli Peninsula. There have been two separate lines of attack, the, first from the old Anzac position, principally delivered by the Xew Zealanders and Australians, and the second from the new landing at Suvia Bay, in which a fresh army was employed. An attack in conjunction with these was also made from Cape Helles towards Krithia. There has been very severe and continuous fighting, with heavy losses on both sides. Our forces have not yet gained their objectives in either sphere, though they have made decided advances towards them, greatlv increasing the area in our possession. 'The attack from Anzac, after desperately-contested actions, was carried to the summit of the San Bair and Chanak Bair ridges, which dominate this area. Owing to the attack from Suvia not making the expected progress the troops at Anzac were unable to maintain their positions on the actual crest, and after repeated counter-attacks were forced to withdraw to positions close below. These positions were effectively consolidated. The attack from Suvia did not develop quickly enough, and was brought to a standstill after two and a-half miles advance"The ground gained by both attacks" was sufficient to enable our lines to be connected along a front of upwards of 12 miles. Further enforcements arriving, we renewed the attack on Saturday on the ,'centre of this new extended line. The Anzac's left- successfully -advanced three-quarters of a mile, and secured a system of strong knolls. V-_ 'The advanced Turkish trenches upon the remainder of the battlefront were stormed, and all the divisions engaged reached the points "pon the slopes, of the spurs and hills which formed the enemy's centre, but after several hours' sharp fighting were unable to gain "Us summits, and the- intermediate positions here being incapable of ;, permanent defence, they were withdrawn to the original front. The =: great power of the defensive under modem conditions explains the difficulties of the troops once the advantage of surprise is lost, J n :;. ale close fighting with which the repeated attacks and counterattacks *ere attended in .ill phases of these, battles the losses inflicted on 1 tte enemy undoubtedly were much heavier than our own. The ground sained and held is of great value, but these facts m «st not, lead the t.iihli.: to suppose that the true objective has been gained, or that, fimhei serious and costly efforts will not be required . before decisive victory is ours."