THE GALLIPOLI TRAGEDY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22957, 12 August 1936, Page 9

THE GALLIPOLI TRAGEDY

LACK OF ARTILLERY SUPPORT GENERAL TEMPERLEY’S VIEWS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, August 11. (Received August 12, at 1 a.m.) The Daily Telegraph’s military writer, Major-general Temperley, commenting on General Rosenthal’s views on Gallipoli, says: “ Those of us who were present at the landing have good cause to remember the lack of artillery support. Great reliance was placed on the naval guns, but owing to their low trajectory they couldn’t search deep valleys in which the Turks were massed. There was also an unaccountable delay in landing artillery despite requests, especially for the New Zealand howitzer battery. The situation was so critical in the late afternoon that General Bridges actually ordered re-embarkation of the 18pounders. In point of fact 8000 Australians were held up by a single outpost company, and the remainder of the outpost batallion was scattered along a five-mile front. The intricacy of the country and the mixing of units, not the strength of the opposition, prevented an immediate advance. The complete absence of artillery caused Sir William Birdwood later to suggest withdrawal. Genera] Rosenthal placed his finger on one of the causes of the failure, but I do not believe it was the chief or only one.” Sir lan Hamilton, who was interviewed, said General Rosenthal’s remarks were simply what had been the main comment in Australian military circles for many years. The guns had been landed and then sent back. If they had been allowed to remain they would have made a great difference. “Mr Bean, the Australian war historian, thrashed the matter out in detail. He is a fairminded and competent authority, and anyone in doubt should read his book and make up his own mind.”