VIVID WAR LETTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 May 1916, Page 3

VIVID WAR LETTERS.

HY A NEW ZIiALANDEK. ABOUT CALLII'OLI. The (lallipoli campaign is an oft-told tale, but in almost every letter that comes lo hand there is some new item, and we consider ourselves fortunate in obtaining permission to print a communication which, as it were, puts the reader exactly oil the scene (says the Dunedin Star). This letter is from Norman F. Croft, who enlisted in Australia, but belongs to New Zealand. He writes thus:— •

At (i a.m. on Friday, August fi, 1915, our company commanders told us we were chosen for a big job, and to be ready to leave the trendies, to assemble at the rear of our lines to be instructed and detailed for tasks by our much loved and admired "Colonel," M'Naughton by name—and a wonderful fighting Scotchman ho was, too. The First Brigade, which comprises Ist, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions of Australian Infantry from New South Wales, were chosen to do this job. Each colonel instructed his battalion separately. Our man (4th Battalion) spoke to us in a low calm voice, and said all he had to in the space of a few minutes. It was "multum in parvo." The colonel's address to his troops ran thus: "Boys, you're in for a terrible scrap. You've to take at the point of the bayonet the Lone Pin" trenches. You have watched them gradually grow in strength, and you know as well as I do the magnitude of your task. I've been with you now from the day of your birth as a battalion, and know how well you boys can fight. I am going to lead yon. and you are going to give the Turks over there the most terrible cutting up tiu vVe ever had. T'ne bombardment by onr guns starts at 3.30 p.m. and finishes :it 5.30. When they stop and the whistle blows c-.-cry one of these 1,000 bayonets immediately leaps forward and goes straight for the trenches in front. The task of bombing falls on A Company, which means that company must leave the trenches first, dash across, leap over the first three lines, of trenches, and commence bombing in the fourth, which is the last back. When you have cleared that trench jump in, and with the sandbags you must bloc!: up the communication trenches and cut off their e.ieape from front three trencher., then work towards the front trenches in a like manner. If you do this successfully we will get a 'big bag.' Meanwhile the rest will follow on with the bayonet and deal with the front trenches. Every man must fight like hell, and on you all depends Australia's name and honor. Now, boys, can vou do it?" Loud cheers and a great "Ye:., and more too," came from the soldiers. "Very well, then, I'll see you again at Lone Pine." TIIII3 ended the colonel's words of instruction. The bombardment was carried out by all of our artillery, helped by the warships, which came along for the purpose, and for two hours the wildest furies of Hell were opened'oll the Turks' trenches in front of us. The air was alive with shrieking, whistling, and groaning and hissing shells; they came like hail from the heavens, thick and fs=>t. The mighty explosions tore the place to pieces; the hill seemed to be 'blown bodily into the air. The deafenling roaring of the gnn.i and exploding tilt-Hi deafened 11::. It was mightier than the loudest thunder. Meanwhile the Anzncs crouched low under the parapet ,to dodge firing fragments of our shells, and also those of the Turks, who, by that time, had brought all available artillery to bear on us, so as to stop our advance. They put ,10,000 shells into lis lin U hours. It was very sensational. Our two hours' wait during this bombardment was thrilling and blood-chilling, for we were quietly awaiting the blast of 1 the whistle from our leaders, which meant so much to us all. The guns at i.SO p.m. stopped as suddcnlv as they I'ind started at 3.30. The fateful whistle hounded: then like a great sea wave ! >rciking 011 the beach a vast wave of •linki burst from our lines and swept j 'lie intervening 100 yards, and then filled the Turks' trenches. An awful battle then commenced. Hand-to-hand fighting of the most desperate nature was kept up for hours. In spite of a most terrific rifle and machine-gun fire as well as artillery, we won out, leaving over SOO dead and wounded Turks, and capturing 070 prisoners, many machine guns, rifles, trench mortars, and ammunition.

All the colonel's plans worked out to perfection, and, as he predicted, we had a big bag. Our losses were, of course, very heavy. I was bomb throwiyg, and needless to say was one of the party who had the risky task of leaping over the fiont three trenches to commence bombing in the fourth. It was most exciting:

Vfc all seemed like, madmen, and feared nothing. Our escapes were marvellous. How those of us that did escape death did it, Cod only knows, for all round us both our own lads and Turks were being blown out. by bomb and shell. I had my te?th knocked out and some broken bv a Turk with whom I battled with fists for over 30 minutes in a trench.

I jumped in 'tween two, bayoneted one as I came down, left bayonet and rifle in him, and to save myself then pounced on the other, who was in the act of bayonetting me. I settled him. It is a most awful sensation bayonetting a man, but when it's such deadly business one gets over it and keeps going. One has to. It's what one is a soldier for. I got my hit when climbing over a parapet to reach another trench, I never reached it, for the bullet and piece of shell that smashed my leg made a complete job of it. The shin bone was splintered, and a piece blown clean out. Tt was like getting a blow with a sledge hammer. I had a very bad time crawling back to our lines, and never thought I could do it. The shells and rifle and machine, guns had that space almost whipped up to dust. The rattling and crackling of the Turks' machine guns from concealed positions, right and left, was nerve racking, the bullets tore my uniform, and the high explosive shells burnt me and turned me quite yellow. Pals of mine, who, like myself, were trying to get back, were blown to pieces by shells. Six of us startod; I was the only one that got back. I looked a pretty wreck, too, I assure you. However. the fact remains that I escaped death with the loss of my left leg; so I am indeed a lucky man, and I know it. I had many slight wounds; they never inconvenienced me, and healed almost as soon as I got them. When I get an artificial leg I won't feel too bad. Anyhow, I will- be able to get about pretty well. I purpose coming home to New Zealand for a month or so after I get back to Australia and settle up with the Government.