AUSTRALASIANS’ IMPORTANT POSITION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3199, 7 July 1915, Page 24

AUSTRALASIANS’ IMPORTANT POSITION.

LONDON, July 2. The Daily Chronicle’s correspondent says the Australians and New Zealanders threaten the Turkish communications with Achi Baba, and consequently draw upon themselves the flower of the Turkish Army. Notwithstanding that the enemy’s casualties are already 70.000, the Turks fis?ht with gallantry and desperation, realising that the fall of Achi Baba and Kilid Bahr means the doom of Constantinople. THE FRENCH ATTACK. GALLANT WORK CHRONICLED. LONDON, July 2. Describing the French operations at Kereves Deie, the Dardanelles correspondent of the Daily Chronicle says: “The 75’s drummed incessantly to the accompaniment of the tremendous reverberations of the 125’s and howitzers. The French captured and recaptured trenches. They were ejected again and again. Then came the order : ‘ You must recapture and hold the trenches. British guns and howitzers were asked for and immediately sent. The bombardment rvas maintained throughout the afternoon. It seemed as if every gun on earth was pouring shells into the Turkish lines. "* “A third attack was launched. In one trench the enemy, being short of ammunition, fought with sticks, stones, and fists. A battalion came hurrying from the Turkish right, but was caught in the open ground by the 75's and melted away. Six hundred yards of the Turkish trenches were taken and held. In one trench 10ft deep the Turkish dead brimmed over. They had been valiant, these dead men. Officers from the west say that as a fighting unit one Turk is worth two Germans; in fact, with his back to the wall the

Turk is magnificent.. Ihe French casualties were few, considering what they might have been.’ TURKISH MACHINE GUNS. SERVED BY GERMANS. LONDON, July 1. Reuter’s Dardanelles correspondent states that hand grenades and machine guns are becoming increasingly important in trench encounters. The Turks rarely await the bayonet, but cause much trouble with bombs of the-- cricket ball type, which the British throw back if they do not explode. The Australians recently organised a bomb-throwing competition against the enemy trenches for prizes, under elaborate rules, one of which disqualifies any competitor exposing himself. Machine guns are the alpha and omega of the Turkish defence. If both sides were deprived of them the campaign would be as good as won. The Turks could not stop our attacks, and it is doubtful if the Turks could attack at all but for their German-served machine guns in the second line of their trenches, as these guns would be turned on them if they wavered in their attacks. Their front trench is practically empty unless our trench is "very close, the Turks waiting in their rear trenches, and only passing into the first trench through deep communication trenches when .an attack is feared. The trenches are often 10ft deep, the parapets being loopholed ©very yard. Signs exist that the enemy’s reserve are giving out. The prisoners include old and untrained men. The enemy’s enfilading fire from the Asiatic shore has lately increased in intensity. The Turks have mounted several 6in guns behind the ridges overlooking the plain. These - guns are probably from the Goeben and Breslau. The Allies regard them in a sporting spirit, the shells providing .occasions for races for the dugouts. Five hundred shells fell on the southern end of the peninsula in a single day, but our losses were ridiculously small. BOMBARDMENT OF STRAITS RESUMED. RUMOURED OCCUPATION OF KRITHIA. ATHENS, July 1. Reports from Mytilene state that a violent attack was resumed against the straits at mid-day on Tuesday, principally directed against the interior forts, which replied vigorously. The allied squadron in the Gulf of Saros bombarded the Turkish positions around Souvli, damaging the Dardanelles, Maidos, and Gallipoli. It is rumoured that the Allies have occupied Krithia. A French torpedo-boat on Wednesday effectively bombarded the Turkish encampment opposite Chios. Enver Pasha has returned to Constantinople, bringing 35' Turkish officers handcuffed. They are accused of participation in a mutiny against the Germans. The ringleaders were hanged. ’ ALLIED DESTROYERS. SYDNEY, July 2. Captain Bean reports that since the withdrawal of the main naval force from the Dardanelles operations the destroyers have jumped at thq chance of using their guns. They are doing really fine work supporting the land forces. ALLIES’ CASUALTIES. LONDON, July 1. Mr Asquith, in the House of Commons, said that the naval and military casualties at the Dardanelles to May 31 were Officers —496 killed, 1234 wounded, 92 missing; men wounded, 6445 missing. TURKS’ ENORMOUS LOSSES. PARIS, July 1. A French naval officer describes the Turkish losses as enormous. Masses of corpses were lying between the lines. The Turks are humiliated by the manner in which the Germans have assumed all control and suppressed discontent. KILLED IN ACTION. SYDNEY, July 2. Private Metcalf, killed at the Dardanelles, was formerly the Sydney Morning Herald’s correspondent in Paris. It was he who exposed the Louis de Rougemont fictions. Private George Vincent Eixon, also killed, was for many years a resident of New Zealand before coming to Sydney. . LONDON, July 2. Lieutenant Chilton, of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (a New Zealander) is reported killed at the Dardanelles. LONDON JOURNALIST HONOURED. LONDON, July 1. Naval Lieutenant Pierie Gordon, one of 23 members of The Times editorial staff who volunteered, has been given the Distinguished Service Cross for gallant conduct in connection with landing parties on the Syrian coast. He is the first journalist to be decorated. JUVENILE AUSTRALIAN CAPTAIN. MELBOURNE, July 2. Lieutenant H. Boyle, -iced 19 years, who was wounded at th: idles, has been promoted to a caj u.-ucy. Ha is the youngest cantaiu in the Empire.

PLOTS AT CONSTANTINOPLE. LONDON, July 2. "The Daily Chronicle’s Constantinople correspondent states that during the last four weeks two plots have been discovered, and the secret police made 160 arrests. The persons arrested were summarily sentenced either to death or to internment in Asia Minor. The number of wounded in the city defies computation. Not only are small arms and ammunition scarce, but the supply of rifles is failing. The second line of troops are armed with a variety of weapons, and they are truly amusing. The home guards at critical points of the railway proudly shoulder shotguns.