WITH THE AUSTRALASIAN TROOPS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13773, 10 May 1915, Page 5

WITH THE AUSTRALASIAN TROOPS.

MR ASHMEAD BARTLETT'S

NARRATIVE

BAYONET CHARGE BY NEW

ZEA LANDERS

PERILS OF THE BEACH,

COLONIALS ENSCONCED IN A

STRONG POSITION,

CHEERFULNESS A2sD INTRE-

PIDITY,

GENERAL BIRDWOOD'S PRAISE

'Received May 9, 10.15 a.m.) Loncfon, May S. Mr Ashmead Bartlett's narrative of the operations of the Australasian troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula contimi'.s as follows :— "Throughout the night of the 26th the Turks harassed our lines, creeping up and endeavouring to snipe the Australians in the sheltered trenches, but never daring to press the attack, although they were in overwhelming numbers. The Turks paid dearly for their temerity. One section of New Zealand" ors made a bayonet charge, driving them off in disorder. "Et was o'bvions on t\v>. morning of the ?7th that the Turks had not recovered from their terrible hammering on the 26th, and they had no stomach for r-r.other big attack. "The entrenchments were now firmly established in a semi-circular front on the whole of the foreshore which was being iised for the disembarkation of troops, supplies, guns, and ammunition. The Colonials' position was also I immeasurably improved by the landing of field guns am! several Indian mountain batteries. "The Turks evidently intended to drive the Australasians into the sea on :he 26th by a great concentration of infantry and an unceasing shrapnel fire, expecting to find the line thinly held and the men exhausted by their losses and exertion during the landing. "They were soon disillusioned. These Aust.alians determined to die to a man rather than surrender the ground they hud so-duirly won. Every man knew that the only hope of safety lay in • icfory, as it would be impossible to re-embark the army once the ring of mils commanding the beach was lost. "Most troops when under fire for the first time, especially volunteers of >i few months' training, keenly feel the losses at the beginning, especially if they recur before there is time to settle down But these Colonials are an exception bo the rule. Despite the heavy losses tlu- survivors were keen and even. "Tlw enemy throughout the 27th resorted to new tactics in the hope of driving the Colonials off the shore,' and preventing supples and reinforcements reaching the beach. The enemy on the right of the 26th. hart brought up many field guns, with which they opened a tremendous bombardment of the foreshore and th- sea, and kept tip an incessant rain of shrapnel. The tren. lies could no longer enfilade the beac'.i as every attempt to place guns was immediately checked by a few well-rimed salvoes from the warships.

"The Turkish gunners tried to put a great curtain of shrapnel over the sea bet-ween the warships and the tran.-ports and the shore. It was an amaiing sight, scores of shells hursting -uxl churning up the water like greac hailstones. Some- fell far out, and others made a great danger zone through, which the beats and 'trawlers had to pass.

"This hail of lead did not make the slightest difference, and the gallant crews of the pinnaces, boats, .lighters, and tugs took as much notice of it. as if. it .were a tropicai thunderstorm. The spectacular effect of the bombardment- was magnificent, but the damage was practically nil *

"Tho warships, throughout tho 27th incessantly fired - uixm any enemy in-

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fantry attempting to advance, and hydrop'anes did excellent work in directing fire on guns inland. The ships' indirect firing became daily more efficient, and is. now so accurate that nothing can live provided the target is' accurately spotted. < ■ ■

"The Turks frequently' fire heavy guns from the other side of the Peninsula, hoping to hole the transports, hut they have not yet succeeded. Ii a Turkish warship in the straits makes an attempt, a salvo from the Allies' ships epeedily forces her to fly up the channel.

"Tha scene ashore is one of interest and activity. One lands in an avalanche oi shrapnel, and finds regiments waiting on the beach before moving to tha trenches,' fatigue parties unloading the boats and lighters, mule teams endeavouring to drag field guns into position, Indians conveying mountain guns, dressing stations tending the wounded, iivd telegraph and telephone units laying wires.

"Meanwhile the lamlir.;!; parties fro/X the warships have been basy building bombproof shelters. Thousands of harclv New Zealandors and Australians are concentrated on the iiarrow shore, each t-ngaged in somo occupation, for as soon as he leaves the front trenches he is required for fatigue duty. Few have had more than a Jew hours' sleep for 'Jays past. The generals and^staff officers fare no better than the< men

"General Birdwood told me that he could not sufficiently praise tho courage, endurance, and soldierly qualities of the Colonials* The manner in which they hung on to their position day and night was magnificent, considering the heavy losses, the .shortage of water, and the incessant shrapnel are to which they were exposed ■without' cover, and also the enemy's incessant infantiy attacks. Afte? they retired to the contracted live they set their teeth and refused to budge a foot. These Colonials are extraordinarily good under .fire, often exposing themselves rather than take the trouble to keep under the shelter 'of tho cliff.

"One of the strangest sights was to see ;» number-bathing in the sea with shrapnel bursting all.rof.nd them.

"T';is colonial colony is assuming definite form. The whole face of 'he cliff is being cut with roads, dugouts, and bombproof shelters, and an improvised township is springing up as the troops slowly dig themselves in and make themselves comfortable.

"We are holding a sena-circular position. The trenches are well made, providing ample cover, but the slightest exposure is almost certain to result* Vjv a hit from a bullet. This incessant sniping greatly puzzles the men in tho trenches and is the great problem at present.

"Apparently even when'an advance post is thrown out the enemy's sharpshooters remain behind to snipe the unwary. Volunteers venture out nightly in order to hvnt^snipers, but so far they have been unable to keep them under.

"T'la cheerfulness of the men in the trencies is marked. They feel that they have overcome the initial difficulties f.nd paved the way for success. They now occupy such a position, and are so thoroughly entrenched that all the Turks in Thrace and Gallipoli will nevei" turn them out."