TURKEY AT WAR

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144778, 7 September 1915, Page 3

TURKEY AT WAR

THE DARDANELLES. ACTIVITY IN NORTHERN AREA. BRITISH GAIN GROUND. PARIS, Sept. 6. Official.—There has been a calm on Southern Gallipoli since August, but lively engagements in tho north, where the British have progressed. Le Temps’ correspondent at Dedeagatch says that a Turkish'colonol states that Turkey mobilised 1,300,000 men. Her losses are estimated at half a million. She has 190,000 men at Gallipoli and 300,000 in the Caucasus, with 70.000 at Constantinople, 50.000 at Adrianople, 40,000 at Chatalja, and 200.000 m Asia Minor. CROWN PRINCE AND ENVER PASHA. AMSTERDAM, Sept. S. ' The German Crown Prince, in a congratulatory telegram to Enver Pasha on the new Turkish successes, expressed confidence in the final success. Enver Pasha replied expressing admiration, at the results of the German army in the cast against a superior enemy, which were only obtainable by the bravery of the Germans in the western theatre. He added that the OsmanU are proud to co-operate, and hoped soon to throw British and French into the sea. ATHENS, Sent. 5. . Enver Pasha was recently at the Dardanelles, and delivered a patriotic address to raise tho morale of the troops, who are depressed with their losses, which exceeded twenty thousand killed and wounded in the last battles. THE TIMES STILL GROWLING. BUT ADMITS BRAVERY OF OUR MEN. LONDON, Sept. 5. The Times says: “We all have our own opinion of tho strategy that actuated the enterprise at the Dardanelles, but only ouo opinion of the men sent to carry it through. Mr. Ashmead Bartlett’s narrative should make the least imaginative realise the conditions at Gallipoli, The Turks are well entrenched, they have an abundance of machine-guns and artillery, and the bills offer an ideal defence. The Australians, New Zealanders, Indians, and British have gone forward again and again with stern bravery, yielding f round only when it was so swept by re that no living thing remained. Wo cannot find words to express our pnde in the Gallipoli troops. The Australasians are our own as much as the English-born, and they are as conscious of the call of the race, as proud of our traditions, and as resolute to maintain the honour of the Empire.” VESSELS SUNK IN BLACK SEA. PETROGRAD, Sept. 6._ Official.—Two Russian destroyers in tho Black Sea damaged the cruiser Hamidieh and two torpedoers in a two hours’ engagement. The enemy fled to tho Bosphorus. We sank four coalladen colliers which the enemy abandoned. A LIVELY CONTEST. DESTROYERS RISK DESTRUCTION. (Received Sept. 7, 8.30 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Sept. 6. In the Black Sea, early on Sunday, tho destroyers Pronsiteiny and Bystry, each carrying three 100 mm. 4in.) guns mot the enemy and, despite the latter’s enormous superiority the Russians attacked. The fight lasted three hours The Hamidieh was hit frequently and a 6in. gun put out of action. The Russians pursued, firing continuously til! the enemy rounded Cape Keeken. They then returned and sank a collier near Gunguldak. [The Hamidieh is a light cruiser of 3800 tons built in 1903. She has a speed of 22 knots and carries two Bin. and eight 4.7 guns. The destroyers were launched in 1912-13 and have a speed of 34 knots. They carry three 4in. guns.]

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT. AWARD OF MEDALS. (Received Sept. 7, 8.10 a.m.) LONDON, Sent. 6. Distinguished conduct medals have been awarded to • the following New Zealanders:— ■ Canterbury Battalion. Private M. Barlow.—At Quinn’s Post on Juno 21, on. his own initiative he crawled out of the trench to reconnoitre an enemy’s bomb-proof shelter and dropped in two bombs. Throughout he distinguished himself as a most courageous and skilful bomb-thrower. Private A. Findlay.—On April 26, at Gaba Tope, he rescued wounded men under heavy shell and rifle fire on the open beach. Sergeant W. Rodger.—During a sortie on Juno 4, at Quinn’s Post, ho was in charge of a party of men and, although seriously wounded by a bayonet thrust, refused to retire. Wellington Battalion. Corporal P. Bennett.—On April 26, at Gaba Tope, ho maintained the supply of ammunition for machine-guns under the heaviest fire. Auckland Battalion. Corporal W. Reid.—When tho officer and sergeant of the machine-gun section were kuled he took command and, by his bravery and example, prevented the flank of the battalion being turned. Sergeant'B. Tilsley.—On tho night of June 4, at Quinn’s Post, the enemy’s trenches were carried by- assault, but were enfiladed by. a machine-gun. Tilsley built up a sand-bag traverse, which was constantly blown away by Turkish bombs. He continued until seriously wounded. New Zealand Engineers. Sergeant A. Abbey.—On the second day at Gaba Tepe ho showed distinguished zeal and bravery in command

of a party entrenching under the heaviest fire. Sapper Scrimshaw. —On April 24, at Gaba Tope, on four occasions he brought in the wounded after all attempts at rescue had failed. New Zealand Ambulance. Privates A. A. and W. P. Henry.—On April 25, at Gaba Tepo, they attended the wounded under the heaviest fire, allowing no danger to interfere with their duties. Army Medical Corps. Private Crawford Watsraen.—Gallantry and exceptionally good work in connection with the improvisation of the hospital ship Lutzmer. No work was too dfficult or hazardous.