The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1915. THE WITHDRAWAL FROM ANZAC.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1915. THE WITHDRAWAL FROM ANZAC.

The announcement that all the troops at Suvla and Anzac, with guns and stores, have been transferred elsewhere comes as a great surprise. According to Mr. Asquith, the decision to withdraw from this theatre of the war, where the New /,'calanders and Australians achieved undying fame, was taken some time ago, probably on Lord Kitchener's return from his visit to fiallipoli. The secret has been well kept, and rightly so, with the result that the retirement was carried out with insignificant casualties, reflecting the utmost credit on the Admiral, the stall', and all ranks, the Turks being unaware of the transaction. It is stated that the other sectors at Rallipoji will be coatunted, but tie ic/orina-

turn available ia 30 meagre that further news will be awaited with the keenest interest, In London, the official statement created quite a sensation, as might hi cj-peeted, and (he incident servo.! to emphasise the- gallant services of "our boys" whose grand exploits thrilled the Homeland with pride and amazement, li seems a disappointing ending to an enterprise that at one time bid fair to be the turning point of the war, but the campaign fully justified its inception, ,;r,<i had it succeeded, as was hoped, wtiild have been one of the most brilliant undertakings of the war. The vast sacrifices made have, however, had their value, and Anzac will ever be held in remembrance of the locality where New Zealandcrs were tested to the utmost, and covered themselves with imperishable honor and glory, wiile the ground is hallowed by the blood of so many of our heroes. It iB reassuring to learn that the position at Sedd-ul ISaur is adequately protected by a double line of ships, indicating that it will be held. The new conditions which have arisen owing to Germany's latest programme have necessitated corresponding alterations in the Allies plans, and the forces lately penned up and confined to trench warfare can be better utilised in other directions than in. doggedly maintaining a hold on a position that is deemed hopeless. Could unexampled bravery have won the way to Constantinople that city would liave been in mu hands long since, but the fatal slowness of the Suvla. commander at the critical moment deprived the Allies of victory when it was just within reach. It is interesting to recall the statement made in the House of Lords on September 14 by Lord Kitchener concerning this event. He said: — "Considerable reinforcements having arrived, a. surprise landing on a large scale at Suvla Bay was successfully accomplished on Aug. C without any serious opposition. At the same time, an attack was launched by the Australian and New Zealand Corps from the Anzac position and a"strong offensive was delivered from Cape Holies in the direction of Krithia. Tn this latter action the French troops played a prominent part and showed to high advantage their usual gallantry and fine fighting qualities. The attack from Anzac, after a series of hotly-contested actions, was carried to the summit of Sari Bair and Chumik Bair, which are the dominating positions in this area. The arrival of the transports and the disembarkation of the troops in Suvla.Bay was designed to enable the troops to support this attack. Unfortunately, however, the advance from Suvla was not developed quickly enough, and the movement forward was brought to a standstill after an advance of about 2} miles. The result was that the troops from Anzac were unable to retain their position on the crest of the hills and after being repeatedly counter-attacked, they were ordered to withdraw, to positions lower down. These positions, however, have been effectively consolidated, and now, joining with the line occupied by the Suvla Bay force, form a connected front of more than 12 miles. From the latter position a further attack on the Turkish entrenchments was delivered on the 21st, but after several hours of sharp fighting it was not found possible to gain the summit of the hills occupied by the enemy, and. the intervening space being unsuitable for defence, the troops were withdrawn to their original position. Since then comparative quiet has prevailed and a much-needed rest has been given to our troops. In the course of these operations the gallantry and resourcefulness of the Australian and New Zealand troops have frequently formed a subject for eulogy in Sir lan Hamilton's reports. General Birdwood and his staff have greatly distinguished themselves both in planning, and conducting the operations of the Australian and New Zealand Corps, whose activities have been marked by constant success. Their determination to overcome apparently insuperable difficulties has been no less admirable than their /courage in hand-to-hand fighting witk i'ihe enemy."

t*Of such a record New Zealand may justly feel proud. It will now be for Our Boys to maintain their high reputation on other fields, but the memory of Anzac will always be fresh in their minds, and though they will doubtless be pleased to be transferred to a more active sphere, their one regret will be that success was not achieved, as they bad hoped would be the case. We can only add: Better luck bo with them for the future. It may safely be assumed that the decision of the War Office was based on sound reasoning.