THE DARDANELLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 16035, 29 September 1915, Page 9

THE DARDANELLES.

INCIDENTS OF CAMPAIGN.

BRAVE AUSTRALIANS.

MANY RISKS TAKEN.

Further details of the fighting on Gallipoli in which New Zealanders and Australians are engaged came to hand by last night's mail.

Having been ousted from their " impregnable. positions on the coast," the Turks have dug in deep to block the advance of the Australians on the west and the allies on the south, writes " Trooper Bluegum " to the Sydney Morning Herald from Anzac Cove. Slowly they are being shifted; more by the pick and shovel than the rifle. The trenches are a fe.v yards apart in some places; several hundred yards apart in others. And it is in the i.eutral zone between the hostile armies that what the soldier has com© to describe as "stunts" take place. Mostly they are planned and executed under cover of darkness, for a head can't be shown above the trenches in davlight without getting a score of bullets." Our chaps are far more enterprising and venturesome than the Turks, but the latter are better patrols. The reason is that the Turks know the country, wear a kind of moccasin on their feet," and move about quite noiselessly. With our heavy service boots silence is impossible. So we mostlv get out early—just after dark—wait in ambush, and catch the Turk when he comes our way. One fine piece of work was spoilt bv a cough. Lieutenant Chatham, of the sth Light Horse, had a troop out in ambush near the Balkan gun pits, where the Turks were working each night. Just when the enemy's patrol approached one of our troopers felt a tickling in the throat. He tried to swallow the tickle and couldn't. He gulped, but the tickling continued aggravated. At last he stuffed his handkerchief in his mouth and coughed. It was only an insignificant little cough, but it sufficed. The Turkish patrol halted and the leader investigated. Stealthily he crept up till he could almost touch the crouching Australian. Bang. Finish Turk. Patrol " imshi."

v Exciting Work. That -was one to us. But for the unfortunate cough we might have got half a dozen. The enemy scored next time. One of their snipers, over-bold, crept up in the scrub to within 20vds of the trenches of the 7th Light "Horse, and started blazing away. Our fellows could not get him from the trenches, so Sergeant Ducker and three others volunteered to rush the Turk's " posev," and bring him in, dead or alive. Cautiously they fixed bayonets, climbed on. to the parapet, and then dashed out. They found the sniper's nest, but the bird had just flown. A number of empty cartridge cases bore testimony to his activity. But the scrub was full of snipers, and as our dashing quartette dashed for home a hot fusillade was opened on them from the Turkish trenches and the scrub. Ducker dashed into shelter so fast that he landed on Colonel Eyrie's back. No. 2 sent a miniature avalanche of dust and debris on top of Colonel Cox; No. 3 landed on my net corn; and No. 4, Trooper Edgworth. got a Turkish bullet in the arm. " Maleesch."

, Surprise lor the Enemy. One of our best exploits was to the credit of Major Fred White. The general wanted a certain position taken and occupied. Our brigade had to do it. Under cover of night a patrol went out, reconnoitred the position, and formed a covering party for the work to come. Major White then took 150 men of the 6th Light Horse, armed with picks and shovels, as well as their rifles, and dug a long sap 6ft deep, right out to Harris Ridge. Then the trenches were dug, and the position occupied." The 6th dug like miners, and burrowed like rabbits. Next morning when Abdul awoke he beheld the smoke of the Light Horse camp fires, the hill in possession of the enemy, and the trenches ready made. And he wondered what had happened. The other morning early, Major Windeyer. of the 7th, put his head over the parapet to enjoy the panorama, and a Turkish sniper let fly, the • bullet just whizzing past his ear. Several snipers had been heard in front of our lines, but not located. So it was decided to drive them off. Fifty volunteered for the job; six were chosen, but it was found that a dozen joined in the rush. The Turkish patrol was easily driven back by Sergeant Walker and his comrades, and "the Turks in the foremost trench were so surprised that about 50 rounds were poured into them before they got busy. At least one was killed before their reinforcements came tumbling up. Then the Australians bolted for home, and reached there without any casualties, though the Turks blazed away like fury. That's the luck of the game.