We were dead anxious for 5.30 to come, so that we could get it over, for it is not a nice job, it is the waiting that kills, and seeing the poor lads getting carried out of the trenches minus an arm or leg, but all smiling and smoking the good old cigarette.2

Observing the heavy allied bombardment, General Esat Pasha could sense the impending attack. Even though the thick logs, that covered the Turkish trenches, were good protection from shrapnel, when the high explosive shells began to fall they had the effect of splintering the wood to devastating effect on the occupants. The Turks had learned that occupying the narrow communication trenches and saps provided the best chance of survival, and then to reoccupy the front lines when the bombardment had lifted. For now this bombardment was to continue.

For the 1800 Australians waiting for the whistle, the tension was undoubtedly mounting, but morale was high. An unknown soldier wrote:

I was one of the mob that waited behind the parapets for the Lone Pine attack. The signal was due any moment when Charlie Pearce stuck a pin into Jackie Burns’ rear. The attack was forgotten as Jack threw himself at Charlie and within ten seconds both were going hammer and tongs. “A minute to go,” was heard as the O.C. came along to stop the fight. “What the hell do you fellows think you’re doing,” he roared. “I’m not quite certain sir, but I think we’re up to the last round,” answered the dazed and bleeding Jackie. With the screeching of whistles the hop-over commenced. Within a minute Charlie and Jackie had gone to meet their maker. Thus did fate turn Jackie’s jest into stark tragedy.3

Private Harry Clegg (3/AIF) described the moment the whistle was blown and they charged towards the heart of Lone Pine:

At 5.30 we charged with fixed bayonets. I can tell you we got a warm time for a while. The moment we left our trench they opened fire on us with machine guns, rifles, and shrapnel from their big guns. Our boys were cut down like grass; but that did not stop us. We charged straight on till we got to the first line of trenches. It was our turn then. We very soon took possession of that, killing every Turk that was in it. In about ten minutes we were over every trench we could see. It was a splendid sight to see the boys standing on the edge of the trench, shooting down at the Turks. In less than no time we had them lying two or three deep in the bottom. All the time we were doing this their artillery was pounding away at us with shrapnel. It was when we jumped down into the trenches we had the real fun. We either shot, bayoneted, or knocked them on the heads with the butts of our rifles, whichever suited the purpose best. We scored a great victory, capturing every trench they had, and very few of their men got away. Those not killed were taken prisoners. We also got several machine guns and bomb mortars. Although I was hit at the start, I kept going till about 9pm. My leg got me beat then - it would not go to the ground, so I had to retire to a place of safety with the other wounded. The Turks counter attacked us with bombs during the night but although they did a bit of damage they could not drive us back an inch. The Australians are too much for them. It would do your eyes good to see our boys fight. They are frightened of nothing.4