SUVLA BAY LANDING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16123, 11 January 1916, Page 8

SUVLA BAY LANDING.

LAN HAMILTON'S PART.

EXPERT'S EXONERATION.

(Received January 11, 1 a.m.)

London, January 10.

Lord Sydenham, in a letter, says he disagrees with the London Times' view that Sir lan Hamilton, though on the spot at Suvla on August 8, meekly effaced himself at the most critical moment. Lord Sydenham points out that Sir lan Hamilton's function was to give corps commanders general directions for the attack. When he visited General Stopford, Sir lan Hamilton appears to have done everything possible to secure a general advance, which was plainly and immediately required. The attempt failed because two divisions were spread out on a front of two miles over a depth of a mile and a-half, and were not sufficiently in hand to undertake a night attack. Visions of a Napoleon galloping about and by a few inspiring words galvanising the host into activity suggest themselves, but this was physically impossible in the conditions of August 8. The battle was lost before Sir lan Hamilton landed. Lord Sydenham says he does not think Sir lan Hamilton can justly be blamed on this occasion, though the despatch, as a whole, must inevitably provoke criticism of the conduct of an expedition always assowith gallantry never surpassed.