THE DARDANELLES

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1915, Page 5

THE DARDANELLES

FROM SUVLA AND ANZAC. TROOPS SUCCESSFULLY WITHDRAWN. TURKS UKAWARE OF OPERATIONS. London, Dec. 23. The War Office announces that all the. troops at Suvla and Anzac, with guns and stoves, have been transferred, with insignifi.cant casualties. Tn the House of Commons. Mr. Asquith said the troops had been successfully transferred in pursuance with a decision that Cabinet made some time ago. The operations reflected the utmost credit on the Admiral, staff, and all ranks. Mr. Tennant said that Sir lan Hamilton's report on the Suvla Bay landing had been received. The Government was considering it, and there would be no avoidable delay in its publication. New York, Dec. 20. I Router's London correspondent states that it is officially reported that the British troops iri the Suvla and Anzac districts of Gallipoli have been withdrawn to another sphere of operations. The other sectors at Gallipoli will be continued. The withdrawal was effected without the knowledge of the Turks.

A SKILFUL TRANSFER. PRAISE TO THE FLEET. Received Dee. 21, 5.3 p.m. London, Dee. 20. The War Office states that General Monro gives great credit for the skilfully conducted transfer of the forces to the ( Gcneral commanding and to the navy. The Pall Mall Gazette's naval expert says the withdrawal will relieve the Ileet and mercantile service of a heavy strain. There have been too many small expeditions. The position at Sedd-el-Bahh is protected by a double line of ships, and it may he assumed that the position will be held, otherwise evacuation from there would nave preceded that from Anzac.

HALLOWED SOIL. The Globe says that fov sentimental considerations the withdrawal from Anzac will ho received with regret, hut sentiment does not count in war. The changed situation since the participation of the Bulgars has resulted in a new situation, which necessitates withdrawal from Turkish soil, which is hallowed by the blood of so many of our Empire's sons.

The Daily Chronicle says that the withdrawal is a most sore wrench for the Australians and \ew Zealanders, whose heroism made Anzac immortal, yet triere are few of them but feel that it is truer loyalty to withdraw and fight elsewhere than to display an obstinate valor in a hopeless position. The wisdom of the original landing at Anzac was doubtful, as it drew off men who were badly needed at the other end of the Peninsula, and it was the most difficult and most costly position to hold. But it was no fault of the Anzac men that the movement failed; the fatal slowness of the Suvla commander ruined the whole plan.

A WONDERFUL FEAT. Received Dee. 21, ft.3f> p.m. •London, Dee. 21. The Times says that the ease with which the withdrawal was effected will bring intense relief. It was a wonderful organising feat, which will be found as extraordinary as the landing of the immortal 29th Division and the glorious Australian and New Zealand corps, wlio share the chief honors of some of the noblest and jnost tragic pages in the Empire's history. Australian and New Zealand courageous dead lie on the abandoned cliffs, but their memory will never fade. Other newspapers emphasise the relief, and praise the brilliant achievement of withdrawing scathleasly. OFFICIAL AXXOUXCEMENT. A press official announcement says: The British, in conformity with the Allied plan, have withdrawn from Suvla, whose strategic value is diminished by the new development in the East. The embarkation was carried out under the best conditions, and the troops were not molested by the Turks. THE SENSATION OF THE WAR. IMMORTAL AXZACS. London, Dec. 20. The Evening News states that the evacuation of Anzac is one of the sensations of the war. While it does not indicate a complete withdrawal it proves that an offensive costing 200,000 casualties has ended. It is a relief to know that the calculations of experts regarding probable losses during the retirement were not fulfilled.

Tile Anzaes have won immortal fame, fighting like demons against tiie best defensive troops in the world. When ammunition was exhausted they followed up the enemy with stones and' lists. During the sSuvla landing the Anzaes in another attack gained the crest of Sari Biilir. and it was not their fault that the rest of the attack was a painful setback. What has happened since at Suvla is unknown to the public.

SACRED MEMORIES. WITHDRAWAL A MASTERPIECE OF GENERALSHIP. Received Dec. :il, 5.3 p.m. London, Dec. 20. The Evening Standard congratulates General Monro on the success of the withdrawal which threatened to be a rearguard action with tragic possibilities. It required military skill of a high order. The Pall Mall Gazette states: That the casualties were insignificant is particularly welcome news, since the operation of re-embarking troops under the fire of a powerful well-posted enemy was one of much difficulty, and it was widely believed that it must be attended with very heavy losses. The abandonment of our hard-won positions cannot fail to arouse painful emotions. Anzac, Cove and Suvla Bay were the scenes of most brilliant gallantry on the part of the British, Australian, New Zealand and Indian forces, who will he linked by memories which will always be sacred in the nsftk at British mufara."