GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12617, 30 April 1919, Page 5

GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN.

INTERESTING REFERENCE. GENERAL BIRDWOOD SPEAKS. Interesting references to the Gallipoli campaign were made at a luncheon given by the Australian and New Zealand Luncheon Club in London to General Birdwood and Mr 'Winston Churchill. General Birdwood, who was reccifed with enthusiasm, said he realised that in welcoming him as they had done they were merely extending a greeting to tho brave men lie had the proud opportunity of having as comrades these last four years. Of his feelings for ■' them it was - extremely difficult to speak. Living with them day in and day out, in times of bad weather and ‘ in times of fair weather, in times of . great anxiety and trouble and in times of jubilant victory, he had got to know -.. them well, and had not only formed feelings of great admiration for their soldierly qualities, but had regarded them as comrades and friends. To the lust days of his life lie would see the figure of the Anzac soldier either toiling those steep hills in Gallipoli or trudging through the mud of France. (Hear, hoar.) That they left Egypt a trained and fighting force 'was duo to that great soldier, statesman and Englishman, Lord Kitchener. (Cheers-) The spring of 1915 found them at Gallipoli, and no doubt there were some who would wish him to go into details of the doings there. That was impossible. There were no words in which he could adequately describe tho valour and magnificent work done by tho troops on tho Gallipoli Peninsula. Ho referred not only to the Anzac troops* hut to others, specially the glorious 29th Division—(cheers) —for whom they had always had the most heartfelt admiration. The gallantry, devotion and determination of the troops there created a reputation which lasted them throughout the whole of the war. (Hear, hear.) ; There were one or two things outstanding in connection with tho Gallipoli campaign. One was the close association between the Australian and the New Zealand troops. _ It was- he believed, almost the first time in history that the two had formed one fighting force. Going round the 'trenches, as be used to, a New Zealander would say to him, in quite a surprised tone of voice, “You know 7 , sir, these Australians are as good men as we are,’,’ to w'hich ho replied, “Well, what else w r 6uld you expect to find?” Then an Australian would come up to him' an,d say, “Do you know, Mr Birdwood-.-(loiid laughter)—we had no idea these New Zealanders were such fine fighters as' they are;” to which he replied, “ Well, you are really beginning to find' out that such is the case-” (Ilemvwed laughter, and cheers-) Surely in the future Australia and New 7 Zealand must continue to stand shoulder to - shoulder, - seeing eye to eye, as one nr.tiou in all that affected their defence. If they- could do that they would bo able to face the future with perfect confidence, knowing that the British flag would continue to fly with honour ; for all time over the uttermost parts of the British Empire. (Cheers.) An- t other notable point w 7 as the close association between their troops and the British Navy._ In his,first despatch after the landing, Sir Tan Hamilton—that gallant and distinguished soldier to whom the heredlean task was entrusted —(cheers)—art-mbed the navy,, as being both their father and mother: , and, indeed, it was. They were do- . pendent on the navy, and never once did the navy fail them. Indeed,- ne might almost say that, having looked after the troops all day. the navy proceeded to tuck them m at night* (Laughter.) It was a very sad day.for them when they had to leave , obvious they had been unable to achieve the immediate object aimed at, hut he w r as confident that when history, came to sum up the operations of the war full justice w : ould be done’ to the efforts ‘ of' tho Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (Cheers-) They mighttake it that those who fell did not die in vain. (Hear, hear.) ' “Remember,” General Birdwood; continued, “ it was there on the Gain- ’ poll Peninsula that the flower of the Turkish army was well nigh annihilated. Wo struck so close to the heart of the Ottoman empire that it was only : natural that her best troops should 0e r sent to meet us, and we knew at- the - time how 7 reinforcements and new divisions looked with dread at being sent to what thov called tho ‘slaughter house,’ a fitting tribute to the fighting of the troops there, who were never too well off for ammunition.' I think, therefore, we mav take credit, not onlv for tho military destruction we were able to achieve, but for starting the breakdown of the morale of the Turkish empire.” (Cheers.) Referring to the achievements- of the Australians and the New 7 Zealanders in France, General Rirdwood said that tho great traditions which had been, built up at Gallipoli were not only maintained, hut enhanced, and wdiarever soldierly deeds were spoken Oi throughout the world no names stood higher than those of the Australian and the. New Zealander. He referred to Ihe difficulties of demobilisation, and said, this might bo the most critical period we had"yet had to face- During the time to come they-could best hold their men by three methods—-employment, education and entertainment, and everything possible was being done as far as tho Australian forces were concerned in these directions. (Cheers.)