3
‘The world never saw better men or braver’
Gallipoli: The landing and the struggle for Walker’s Ridge
April–May 1915
April 10th 1915
Left Zeitoun last night, 10.20pm, by troop train carrying 1/2 Auckland Bn in advance of my Bn so that I might see that things in order on HMT Itonus. Arrived at Alexandria at 4.15am. The Itonus was out in the stream, but I only found this out after I had tramped round the biggest part of the Docks. She came alongside at 8am.... She is properly fitted up as a troopship, but only for 800 men. We will be over 1100, still we will be all right. The hammocks however are not available unless we care to take the risk of measles. The last troops she brought from Australia had measles, and the authorities had refused to have the hammocks fumigated. We decided to take no risks and the men will sleep on the bare decks, which are wooden. On the Achaia however, which carried 1/2 my Bn, the decks are iron and hard sleeping that – no mattresses, no straw.
We soon embarked, and hauled out at about 3.30pm, and sailed for Lemnos, where we get further orders. The troop ships are sailing independently and without escort. We are going to land on the Galipoli [sic] peninsula. The landing may be in face of the Turks, and will be within 3 weeks. The voyage to Lemnos takes normally about 50 hours, but we are towing a steam-tug and 2 big barges, and cannot [sic] only steam at 2/3rd speed for fear of swamping them. I was very much impressed by the naval transport officers at Alexandria. We wanted certain things, life-belts cleaning materials, and a cooking range, for the ‘Achaia’. I and Hart went to see the NTO and met a Mr Peacock I think. He was admirable. He listened to our requests, asked a plain question or two and at once acceded to our requests. No argument no petty objections, no evading responsibility, no callousness to needs of our men, a careful consideration and prompt decision. So different to our experience with our own staff. They either promise and don’t perform or else bluff or cheese pare1 or refuse and say buy what you want and pay for it yourselves out of your regimental fund. The injustice of it all.
I have a roomy 3 berth cabin to myself, and the captain and officers of the ship are most obliging and pleasant. Our voyage is they say to be a smooth one. I turned in early.
April 11th 1915 – Sunday
Sea smooth weather fine but with a decided cold twang about it. Busy all day getting a good hold of everybody and everything. It is really interesting having 1/2 the Canterbury Bn to handle. We could soon bring them up to our standard. They have been loosely handled. Mass at 10am. Fr. McMenamin is now our Chaplain in lieu of old Luxford, who is transferred to Otago Bn.2 Everybody is glad. He (Luxford) ought to have been left at the base. He is a useless specimen of an army chaplain, but has curried favour with the Genl and others. Young active amicable and amiable parsons left behind and he the reverse of those things taken to the Front. We are on the lookout for submarines, one is supposed to have torpedoed a transport off Smyrna3 last week.
This boat carries a Lascar4 crew, miserable specimens of humanity. The 1st officer amused me today. We have not enough lifebelts, by some 100 and not enough boat room for some 500 of us, in addition to these Lascars some 120 in number. In arranging about boats in case of collision or torpedoing etc. he said that we were to have all the boats and the Lascars could swim or drown. We were far too valuable beings and they too worthless! He meant it too and I think he is right, but I told him it could not be so, the ship’s company gets 1st serve and we take what is left of the boats. We are sorting out all those who are good swimmers and telling them off to any gratings, seats, benches etc available. If anything happens to us we expect our wireless would bring help within a few hours – so the position is not very bad. Still it is not pleasant to think that some of us may drown like rats. One thing everybody accepts the position most philosophically. The men are splendid. They have settled down without any bother and there are no complaints.
April 12th 1915
...Up early and about, seeing if all other officers properly supervising. I took special notice of the Canterbury men [Canterbury Infantry Battalion]. They are good stuff, but want shaking up. Not their fault – their COs. The officers are I think quite a good lot, and are responding keenly to our demands....
April 13th 1915
A wet rough morning. The tug and 2 barges that we were towing broke away from us last night. We stood by and picked them up this morning, and started towing them to lee of an island 3 Lascars and the 1st and 2nd mates got into them. It came on to blow harder and harder and the sea was running high. Before we got under the lee of the island the tow line parted and then we had a big job, getting round and picking the men and mates up. The tug was sunk. The barges are all right but we had to let them go....
Our soldier men acted well. Two boat crews, from my Bn were told off, and got into the boats ready for lowering one of the boats swung in and out and began to smash things, obviously with considerable danger to the men in her. Yet they sat cooly still and took their danger as a matter of course. It was only when I told them to come out that they moved and then without flurry they came aboard. It was a good job we didn’t have to lower the boat. I doubt if she could have lived in the big sea that was running. It was a good thing to see also how the 1st and 2nd mates got the 3 miserable Lascars aboard, before they moved themselves....
Arrived at Lemnos, Port Mudros at 6am. A good harbour. It is almost full of men-of-war (British, French and 1 Russian) and Transports: A great sight. The shore is hills up to 1,000ft here and there, but mostly undulating land. Several small towns.... No trees to be seen anywhere. Hardly a shrub. Farmhouses here and there. Generally the country looks like sheep country, one can see sheep and cattle.... The port is protected by a line of netting bouyed [sic] from shore to shore, with guns mounted at each end. We anchored out in the Bay until about 4pm and then the Assistant Kings Harbour-Master [AKH] came off and took us thro’ the boom to the harbour, where we again anchored. The A.K.H. Master was on the Ocean, which was sunk in the Dardanelles. She was torpedoed from the shore.5 He says there are 150,000 Turks and 16,000 Germans on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and that we will get a warm reception. Apparently they cannot force the Dardanelles without a land force – to demolish or complete the demolition of the Turkish forts. That will be our job after we have driven back the Turkish army. The job is going to be a big one. There will be difficulty about water. There is none on Lemnos (for an army) and we will have to depend on ships for all our water and supplies. We have to darken the ship tonight. 2 Turkish or German aeroplanes were over the harbour yesterday and dropped bombs.... The crew, [of the Itonus] Lascars, are a queer lot – very small and weedy, yet good workers and attentive....
| Subject: Officers’ Efficiency and how to obtain it... | |
| Preparation: | Habits |
| Cleanliness, order and method, industry, early rising, abstemiousness, thoughtfulness. Special study of books. Which? | |
| Ingrainment of principles | |
| Application question constant [sic] if such and such happened. What will I do. Concentration, modesty, always room, and power to learn, consult experts. No jumping to conclusions. Appreciation of situation – all thro. General Birdwoods four Cs: concealment, cover, communication, control. | |
| Practice: | Physical fitness. Know job, do it to exactitude. Punctuality, care, complete, no “near eno”. Habit of thoro’ness. Good form always. Clear command. Insistence [on] performance. Supervision. Non interference. |
| Position: | Word of command. Determination. |
| Relations with superiors, equals, inferiors | |
| Superiors: | Absolute loyalty. |
| Non criticism. | |
| Obedience to orders. | |
| Orders: “Nil nisi bonum”6 | |
| Equals: | Courtesy – loyalty too. |
| Cooperation. | |
| Competition not opposition in job. | |
| Good form always. | |
| Inferiors: | Dignity. |
| Manners [?]. | |
| Civility. | |
| Camaraderie, not friendship. | |
| Care, health, comfort. | |
| Knowledge without intimacy. | |
| Example to. | |
| Lead, not drive. | |
| Conclusion | Self Criticism and Examination of Conscience. |
| Highest standard. Every man has limitations. Modesty non conceit. Have I done my duty? Why not. Sorrow[?], intention, amendment. Renewal of original good intention. | |
| Amendment. |
April 15th 1915
Went off to HMS Arcadian naval HQ ship, to see whether our Divl or Bde HQ ships were in. Later went off to Lutzow, Divl HQ ship. She was one of the Nord Deutche boats – captured and now a transport! A fine boat, luxurious.... I saw Genl Godley. He was genial! I asked him to sanction disembarking all the troops on my ship, as practice. He most readily agreed and at once issued an order for all troops to do the same. Got permission to buy flour and fresh meat for the men. They have been on bully beef and biscuit since Friday last. After lunch went ashore with Capt Carey, Master of Itonus and explored Mudros Town.... The people seem friendly and are all Greeks. Population 2000. It is quite refreshing to see Europeans, men women and children. The women are rather good looking but mostly old. I think the young ones keep in, with so many soldier men, filling the town. The children seem strong and healthy, and are good looking. The men are not tall but strong. All seem fairly clean and tidy.... Soldiers and sailors, English French, Australian and New Zealand are everywhere – well behaved and quiet. We quite enjoyed our walk round. In the harbour there are now some 100 ships. Say 25 men of war 75 transports. The Queen Elizabeth is here, tho’ most of the other men of war seem somewhat old fashioned. It is a great sight and a stirring one.7 Weather fresh, breezy but fine.
April 16th 1915
Sent all troops ashore today and so practised disembarkation. We used 5 of the ships boats. It took us about 4 hours to get the men ashore. We are over 2 miles from the landing. They went for route marches, and all got back to the ship by 6pm. I mean to do the work quicker next time. Too much waiting about. I and Carey went ashore by last boat after lunch and went for a walk to top of a high ridge, west of the town. The land is on the hills very rocky, but every little bit of land that can be ploughed is ploughed. Crops mostly wheat, a few peas... Back on the ship by 6pm.
Genl Birdwood has issued a circular memo to the troops telling us that we have a big job in front of us, and a rough and hard time, but that he is confident that we shall succeed. So may it be. I saw and had a good look at lots of French and English Regular troops today. Our NZ men stand out as something far superior. Grand stalwart soldiers.
April 17th 1915 – Saturday
Washing and airing blankets. Conference all the morning with officers. A talk to the NCOs, emphasising Genl Birdwood’s circular. Went thro’ the topography of Gallipoli peninsula, with all officers then exercised them in their duties on disembarkation in boats etc. Boats crew (our men) exercised too.
Called to Minnewaska army HQ boat, instructions as to landing. We all to have 2 steamers and 4 lighters – according to Col Skeen, the landing officer. We are to have hot fighting. He said we would move in a short time now where we are to land is still to us a secret. We got definite news of the attack by a Turkish torpedo boat on one of our transports [HMT Manitau], just south of this island. The transport had all artillery on board. The Turks gave them 3 minutes to get out and then fired 3 torpedoes. 2 missed and the other failed to explode. A couple of British men of war came up so the Turks ran for one of the islands and beached their boat. Some 50 of the artillery were drowned in boat confusion and accident. On our voyage over I had told off and exercised our men to line the ships side and give any submarine plenty of rifle fire. Some of the officers laughed at the idea, but I thought it better to be prepared for anything and not get put out without a fight. We today got Divisional orders for all Transports to make similar preparations. I am sure that if the Turkish torpedo boat had tackled us that we could have kept her off. Divsl HQ anyhow say it can be done.
April 18th 1915 – Sunday
Mass and Communion at 6.30am. Wrote to Mater and also Norah. I wonder when I shall get a letter from Mater. One I hope is following us up and will be delivered before we start for and land on Gallipoli.
Called on Col Monash8 – Brigadier 4th Australian Inf Bde. He is on the See-angchora [sic, Seangchun] linked to us. – (A large number of transports are linked together in pairs, side to side touching to save room in the harbour.) Col Monash asked me to lunch. He is a big stout man, as is his Brigade Major. He showed me the map of Gallipoli peninsula, marked up with the latest aerial reconnaissance information: The Turks seem to have covered it with trenches, redoubts and gun emplacements and batteries, but our naval artillery is going to give them a hot time, a hotter one than they will give us.
Practiced boat drill and loading, this afternoon. Every man, in full marching order, got off the ship into a boat, and then after the boat shoved off and returned, climbed on board again. The men go down and climb up – a Jacobs ladder – a rotten trumpery9 one too.
After dinner went ashore for a walk – did about 3 miles and then back by moonlight. Saw a steamer with a captive balloon on board, also saw the balloon go up. More and more ships keep coming. There must be some 125 all told now, exclusive of small craft, a great and stirring sight.
I wrote you last Friday week from _____ [Alexandria 9 April] where I was then, and told you that we were off that night for our destination unknown. Well we got here on Wednesday morning last, after a somewhat exciting passage – all safe and well. We are off for another destination very soon now. By the time you get this, the newspapers will have given the news of our movements. Everything is going well and confidence prevails – also good spirits. You are at sea and 10 days of your journey are over. I think of you every day – the first and last things and pray that you and the children are well and in good heart and that our separation will not be unduly prolonged. I know your feelings and the great conflict that goes on in your thoughts. I am proud to know that my wife is so brave and so full of the sense of duty to country, that her own personal desires and interests are readily set aside. Perhaps not readily, yet certainly, we have all along been agreed on what my duty was. To me that is a great comfort. Yours is the harder part, as is that of the women who per force must stay at home, while their men go forth to war. Still my dear one, we have had great happiness together, and please God will be reunited when the war is over never in this life to separate again. I have a great feeling of confidence that all will go well with me, and so do not grieve. In any case we have done our duty.
I will write something every week if it is possible, so that by the time you get to London, you should have quite a pile of letters. I have been hoping that a letter would come from you. A mail is due, but of course it is difficult to catch us up. The last letter I got was from Norah, telling me of your illness, and that you were unable to write. I know of course that you got all right again. I was so glad. You must be careful for the future. I am carrying your dear photograph with me always. It is now hanging up in my cabin and when I disembark goes with my map case. I am looking forward so keenly to seeing the original again and telling her of the travels of the likeness. I do so hope that you will be comfortable in England. I am very glad that you are going there and I am sure that everybody will welcome you.
We are without full war news, as are you no doubt also, but everything seems to be going well. We have heard that the Turks have had another go at the canal. If so no doubt Edmond and Terry had a look in. They would be glad. They and their mates were getting sick of inaction.
It is spring weather here, and thank goodness, no dust and no flies, and no great heat.
We are in luck. We have a priest with us, Father McMenamin (a close friend I believe of Father Maples). We had mass this morning and nearly all the Catholic men had squared their “yards”10 and filled their Easter duty.
It is not easy to write a newsy letter, when it has to be censored or rather has to comply with the military rules relating to correspondence. If you don’t get letters from me regularly, don’t worry, you can easily understand that it will be difficult to carry out postal work. No news will be good news!
I am very fit and well, but, I am afraid, putting on a bit of fat. I don’t worry because it will do to come and go on in case of shortness of tucker. I sent you by Mrs Home, a lot of photos and the parts of my diary that I had been unable to send before. I have my camera with me and some 1/2 dozen films, so you may later on get more photos.
My love to Molly. I am writing a little note to Norah.
I duly got your letter of I think Feby 21st telling me of Mater’s illness. Thank you very much for writing. I hope there will be another letter from you, if not one from Mater herself. You are 10 days at sea now. I hope all is and will be well with you. I too am on shipboard. She is a good boat, sweet, dry and clean, miles ahead of the Arawa. I am O/C Ship. Everything goes well and everybody is cheerful.
You will have a lot of news to read up when you get home. We too are out of war news except our own. I hope that you will like England. I feel sure that you will. I am glad that you view the war position as you do, and I am proud of you and Mater. If all the girls and women were like you and her, there would not be much wrong with the world.
April 19th 1915
Nothing fresh. The troops exercise in landing, starting at 7am. All went ashore, did a route march, in full kit, and then came aboard again. We only had 5 boats. The first boat got away from the ship, with 32 men, in 3 1/2 minutes. There were 27 boat loads – average time of filling them and shoving off from ship 5 minutes. The men have to go over and down the side by a slender jacobs ladder. A 2 mile pull ashore and 2 miles back mean that it takes 4 good hours to land the Bn. The men are getting quite handy, and we have the business now well organised. It was quite hot today. I went ashore at noon and had a walk round.... Saw the biggest part of the Battalion of Lancashire Fusiliers, Regulars, long servers about 8 years. I had a real good look at them and didn’t like their looks. Their faces are not good, they look very young, boys many of them. They are small men. Nothing smart about them. Good stuff no doubt but if they are as they have been called, the flower of the British army then I understand Genl Godley’s statement that the NZ Divn should be the best in the army. Of course I have not seen them work – but in a critical first look I would want 1 1/2 or 2 Bns of them for 1 NZ Bn. When we get into action I shall be better able to judge. One thing our men on the whole look like gentlemen and the Tommies don’t. As for the French they look very slack and soft.
After dinner, on board, went per boat round the Queen Elizabeth. She is mighty, almost all mighty 8-15” guns, besides numbers of others. She is power all over, grand lines, very sharp in the bows. I will try and go on board tomorrow.
April 20th 1915
Northerly gale, very fresh, orders for NZ Inf Bde to practise disembarking tomorrow. I am to command the Bde, apparently our Brigadier has not yet arrived from Alexandria. No word of our sailing yet but it cannot be long before we do....
April 21st 1915
...In the evening I got secret operation orders for our disembarkation at Gallipoli peninsula, with full details of the whole movement. I will not set them down now, lest the secrecy be endangered. I was told to deliver copies of the secret orders to O/C units on my ship, but as I did not and do not think it wise to do so until we have sailed I shall keep the orders to myself. I am sorry to say it but I believe that if I issued the orders as instructed they would be all over the ship in a very short time. The place of landing is much as I expected it to be. I know where the British 29th Divn and our own A & NZ Army Corps are to land, but there is no word as to the French and Russians. It won’t be long now before we are hard at it with the Turks.
April 22nd 1915
I heard last night that a NZ mail had arrived on HMT Goslar, so at 5.30am today I sent a boat to fetch our share. It was blowing “some” so it took the crew 4 hours to go and return. To my delight there was a little letter from Mater.... It was a very great pleasure to hear from her. I immediately wrote to acknowledge it as we may be away very soon now.... Genl Sir Ian Hamilton has issued the following special order.
Before us lies an adventure unprecedented in modern war. Together with our comrades of the Fleet we are about to force a landing upon an open beach in face of positions which have been vaunted by our enemies as impregnable.
The landing will be made good, by the help of God and the Navy, the positions will be stormed, and the war brought one step nearer to a glorious close. “Remember” said Lord Kitchener when bidding adieu to your Commander, “Remember once you set foot upon the Gallipoli Peninsula you must fight the thing through to a finish”.
The whole world will be watching our progress. Let us prove ourselves worthy of the great feat of arms entrusted to us.
The combination of the Army and Navy is going to be complete. We are going to see and hear a tremendous artillery attack from the sea on positions on the land. That attack is to be stopped by the leading infantry lines, when the time for their assault of the positions has arrived, by the waving of red and yellow flags which the Infantry are to carry. This flag business is new in European armies tho’, I believe the Japs used it in their war against the Russians, to stop their own artillery fire. When the assault was ready to be launched, or rather to launch itself, we don’t want the Queen Elizabeth to pitch her all but one ton shells among ourselves! It is going to be a great fight and we must succeed. The preparation seems very thoro’. Our Genl Birdwood is one of K’s [Kitchener’s] men and K’s motto is “Thorough”. From what I have seen of Birdwood he takes after his chief.
I have just got your little letter of 7.3.15. About 2 hours ago I got one from Mrs Cook, telling me of your illness, and I was afraid there was no other letter. I did so long for one from you. Still I knew that you would have written if you could. You can imagine my delight to see your dear handwriting again and to learn that you were up and on the high road to complete recovery. I learnt last evening that a mail had followed us and was so wild that the HQ people had seemingly made no arrangement to get it delivered. At 5.30am today I sent a boat away to fetch it. It was blowing hard and the crew had a job to get back. It took them some four hours. I wrote you on 18th. We are still at the same place.
I am so glad that you are taking Denis and Barney after all. The leaving them was the one thing I didn’t quite like, tho’ I knew that you would do what was best.... I suppose Denis and Barney were overjoyed when they rejoined you again, and will be pleased with their life on shipboard and in the old country. I sent them some postcards, to Nelson.
I have just got a letter from Aunt Agnes, which I enclose. I have no place to keep letters now and will shortly have to carry all my belongings on my back! I am looking forward specially to seeing Aunt Agnes, of all the relations. Give her my love when you see her. I may not have time to answer her letter, but will do my best to do so. Thanks for the lavender; it smelt so sweet. I pictured you on the verandah, putting it in your letter to me. I have put one piece in the locket I always carry with my identity disc round my neck and the other piece I put in that little housewife11 you made for me. I send you some flowers I picked ashore near where I am writing. I picked them for you, thinking how lovely it would be if only you were with me. Some day we will pick flowers together again – please God.
As to address, you had better address me, with full name and rank, Regiment, and Force as before, but at Record Office, London, putting in front of “Record Office” the name of our country. They will forward.
It is quite cold here at times 50° Fht in[10° C] the shade. A while ago I was in 105° Fahrenheit[41° C]! I have put on a little warmer clothing, and am as usual quite well.
I am counting the days to when you will reach Home. I know you do not like the sea and shipboard, but time passes, all the same. Pray for me always that I may do right.
With all my love,
April 23rd 1915
A quiet day. All hands making final preparations for landing movement of transports and men of war to the outer harbour. The French Division has arrived. There is a quiet but businesslike quickening, everywhere. At last after the preparation of months, we are to get solidly to work. The canal business was mere play.
We sent some bread over to the Achaia – some 200 loaves we had in hand. It would be a great treat. I promised to give them all tomorrows bread and our fellows can do a day on biscuit again. I am arranging also to give every man a pound of raisins to take ashore. They are sustaining and will help to keep the men’s mouths shut and so prevent parching. With the raisins and 3 days rations, I think we can put in 5 days without further supplies. In 5 days surely we shall be masters of enough of the Peninsula to give us plenty of water and enable landing regularly of full supplies etc.
The men are going to carry a big load. 200 rounds of ammunition each, weigh 12lbs. In all they will carry close on 75lbs[34kg]. The regulation weight is 61lbs and I think a quarter oz. Each man is carrying extra to Regulations. An oil sheet, some firewood, 1 extra iron ration and an extra 1/2 days food, 50 rounds SA Ammunition, 1lb of raisins.
The weather bids fair. I heard today when we sail.
April 24th 1915
A fine day with wind from the East. If it continues, it will be good for our landing. I went to a conference of officers with Gen Godley on the Lutzow this morning and did not get away until 2pm. We had to row to the outer harbour and back. I relieved the stroke and quite enjoyed an hours rowing. A head wind made it hard work, but it did me good. Plenty of movement all day. Transports and men of war from battleships down to torpedo boats and submarines, supply ships and hospital ships. A great sight. Britannia rules the waves – right Enough! We sail at 6am tomorrow morning and expect to land between noon and 5pm.
I have just arranged with Home to issue to every Platoon Commander, a phial of morphia tabloids12 so that any wounded men can be at once given by the nearest man, a tabloid or two to put under his tongue and thus get relief from pain. The tabloid will take from 10 to 15 minutes to dissolve and to work, but it will be a great blessing to the wounded men and a great help to the nerves of their mates who will be saved quickly the hearing of the wounded men’s cries.
We gave the men rice and dried apricots stewed, for their tea tonight as an extra. It was an unexpected treat, and very welcome. Tomorrow we give them for their last meal on board rice and stewed prunes. After that bully beef and biscuit will be the order of the day for a long time.
April 25th 1915
A lovely calm spring morning. We left Port Mudros at 6am. An auspicious departure. I wonder what our landing will be like. I fancy that it will [be] easy. The weather conditions seem perfect and I can but think that our enormous artillery power will blast most of the Turkish resistance off the face of the peninsula. The British Divn lands at Cape Helles and Seddil Bahr [sic, Sedd el Bahr] at South of Peninsula. Our army corps land on beach just north of Gaba Tepe on West coast, the place is about due west of where the Narrows take a NE turn into the sea of Marmara.14 The idea is to cut off the Turks who are south of such point. The landing was to begin at 3.30am this morning. The Australian Division being the 1st to land at 4am. Some of our fellows heard the big guns going. So no doubt as I write, fighting is going on. We are – as I write just leaving the eastern most part of Lemnos.
25th [–26th] April 1915
Left Port Mudros Lemnos at 6.10am for Gaba Tepe, Pen[insula] of Gallipoli, with other transports, having been preceded by Advance Landing Troops of the Australian Division. We towed 2 barges in which to land troops and horses. A lovely calm and in nature a peaceful day. But the huge 15” guns of the Queen Elizabeth could be heard at 60 miles distance bombarding forts etc. at Cape Helles and SEDD-EL-BAHR, where the 29th British Division was landing. As we got in we could see the action. Quite a number of Men of War, British, French and Russian blazing away. Transports steaming in close to the shore and landing troops in boats and barges. The Naval shells were bursting all along the Turkish position which seemed strongly held. We did not steam nearer than about six miles but with glasses could see what a great and furious fight was going on. The French Division was making a feint on the coast of Asia Minor so as to keep Turks there. We sailed on Northwards and as we got near Gaba Tepe which is about 10 miles North of Cape Helles found that our Army was landing at a bay some 2 miles NE of Gaba Tepe. It had commenced landing at 3.30am and had been most gallantly, nay recklessly carried out. The men of war Majestic, Triumph, Queen, Inflexible and ors [others] were firing furiously. Transports were landing troops etc. The action was a [at] Cape Helles. The Australians had carried the heights surrounding the bay but instead of being content with that and then digging in hard and fast had scally wagged for miles, into the interior some 3 to 4 miles got scattered and so became a prey to the Turks, who had been surprised in the 1st place and had (it is said) only some 500 defending troops at our landing place.15 Their troops encamped at Bijuk Anafarta and Kojader [sic, Koja Dere] were brought against the scattered Australians and slaughtered them.
As the New Zealanders landed, they were rushed up to the heights, mixed up higgledy piggledy among themselves and with the Australians, with resulting in the case of my men anyhow (in my opinion) in serious avoidable loss. At 4.30pm my first troops went ashore. Taken off by HMS Bulldog, torpedo boat. I sent 2 Coys of Canterbury Bn and 1/2 Taranaki Coy, the latter in the man barge we had towed. I went with this consignment. When we got within about 1 mile of the shore we got into our ships boats and rowed ashore. The Turks welcomed us with shrapnel and sprayed up the sea all about us, but very few of us got hit. The beach was crowded with all sorts of beings, men, mules, donkeys, horses, ammunition, supplies, naval beach parties. In getting out of the boats many men got a salt-water bath all over. They had full packs, 200 Rds of ammn, 3 days food etc., so easily slipped and fell. There didn’t seem much organisation on the shore, in fact it was disorganisation. We evidently haven’t got a Kitchener about. On paper it was all right, but in practice no good. Still Britishers always muddle thro somehow or another. The Heads like General Birdwood and Godley plan all right, but the executive officers in the main are no good. Have no idea of order, method etc. They as I put it “hang up everything on the ground.” The whole army does. After I got Canterbury Coys ashore I got the 1/2 Taranaki Coy, and used them in extended order as guide posts along the beach. Soon however Col Braithwaite our GSO [General Staff Officer] told me to attach them to one Col Pope’s (Australian) Bn and they were marched up some heights. Major Brunt was with them. They got messed up by the Australians and lost in a short time some 15 killed and 19 wounded. After they had gone I struck our Genls B & G [Birdwood and Godley] and they were very disappointed when they found my Bn (bar 1/2 Coy) was still on the sea. The naval people for some unknown reason knocked off disembarkation. I got the General to wireless to the ship to carry on and about midnight the remaining 1 1/2 Coy of mine on Itonus got ashore, and were sent to hold a ridge just above the beach. They had no tools, as our Bn[’s tools] were in the Achaia with the other half Bn! I had asked to get 1/2 of them at Port Mudros, so that when we landed, we would be independent but it was not allowed, by our Brigadier. However, I got some of my HQ details to go along the beach and collect all the tools they could, and they got quite a number and then I sent them up to the ridge to enable the men to dig in. I had rather an amusing incident. I was going along the beach close to the cliffs, where there were crowds of men sleeping, finding out who they were so as to help reorganisation of units. Quoth I to one group “who are you fellows?” Low and ‘bold’ they were Generals Birdwood, Godley and Bridges and their staff ‘low and bold’18 there were quite a number of picks and shovels in their quarters – the open beach. I soon got all these tools and sent them up to my men. By daylight Hart and the 2 Coy off Achaia landed. We were ordered into Reserve alongside Army Head Quarters as an army reserve. We placed ourselves up a gully narrow and steep, full of scrub and remained there until about 4pm of the next day [April 26th] when we were ordered to go up this gully onto the Plateau and report to General Walker19 who was our acting Brigadier, Col F.E. Johnston being ill with gastric influenza. We had an awful climb, and found General Walker and reported but he didn’t know what to do with us, but in the end put us in reserve. All this time, the 24 hours round the big ship guns were booming away, also quick firing Howitzers, mountain guns and rifles. Endless fighting. Shrapnel bursting on and close to the beach. Boats and barges going to and fro the ships and beach, landing all sorts of men and things. In the night of Sunday I know there were some question among the Generals of our having to re-embark, personally I could see nothing to require it. As General Walker’s plateau was congested with men without my Battalion I asked and obtained leave to take them below the crest. We got settled down into dug-outs, and then got an army order to go back into our original reserve (Army) position. This from Genl Birdwood himself. We had been up the hill and now down again. Still we are all philosophers now.
[Tuesday 27th April 1915]
Next morning, Tuesday 27th we were sent up another gully in which 2 Howitzers were placed, and then to a place in the beach N of Divisional Headquarters and then told to draw 2 days’ rations and march N. along the beach to where a big ridge came down from the high country surrounding the bay. Duly away we went. Arrived at foot of the ridge – found General Walker, and heard a roar for reinforcements coming down the hill, irresponsible men, Australian privates passing the word for “Reinforcements at the double!!” General Walker told me to at once send a company up – packs to the left at the bottom. I enquired “what they were to do?, where to go and what the position was?” I was told they would be met at the top and put right. So away they went. No sooner gone than more yells of the same sort from the Australians. Another Coy of mine ordered to follow the 1st one. The Coys were (1st) Wellington West Coast, (2nd) Hawkes Bay, some 450 of the best soldier men in the world: They were being sent to chaos, and slaughter nay murder. I then brought up the remaining 1 1/2 Coys to about 1/2 way, which the A[Acting]/Brigadier [Walker] told me to hold in Reserve. On doing this more yells for reinforcements.
I took [it] on myself to stop the yells and say no more reinforcements should go up in that irresponsible way. I went up myself to find out the position – A long climb along and up a ridge. I struck a sort of natural fort along it. Entrenched and occupied by about 40 Australians and 2 M [machine] guns, one Major a fat chap. I asked him what he was doing there, sending down yell for reinforcements. He said he was passing the yells on. I asked him why he didn’t go himself and take his men with him. He said he had orders to stay. I went on passing scores of Australian unwounded lying all along the track. Finally I got to a Col Braund20 who said he was in command of the show. Asked for some explanation of the position and why he had left his men when down the ridge and called for reinforcements from the New Zealanders. He didn’t know and knew nothing. Had no defensive position, no plan, nothing but a murderous notion, that the nice thing to do was to plunge troops out of the neck of the ridge into the jungle beyond. There Turks of whom very few were seen by any of my officers, were lying down shooting down all the bits of track that led from the ridge outwards, having range marks fixed, and dropping our men wholesale. Major Young and Cunningham grasped the situation soon and told who they could to dig in, this was begun but Col Braund came along and ordered the Platoon Commander to go on and plunge into the jungle further and further. On their protesting, he claimed as Senior Officer their obedience to his order and so on and on they went, and got slaughtered. Lt Wilson21 and his machine guns (2) were treated in the same way. I made Col Braund send back and take all his Australians forward and to shift his HQ – forward. I then went back to Brigade Headquarters to report and was told to bring up my remaining 1 1/2 Coys to the fort. After getting them up I started to go forward again, up the track to get a grip of things but was met by a lot of Australians tearing down the track yelling “fix bayonets, the Turks are coming”. I whipped back on [?] to the fort, put 2 M [machine] guns on front slope with a line of the best shots of the Ruahine [Coy] and sorted the other men up in readiness to hold back the Turks. I really believed we were in for a solid thing and told the men we would have to stick it out at all costs. I then went forward and found that the panic, for such it was had been stopped, thanks mainly to Major Hart who had been sent on by me ahead of the Reserves to get a hang of things and report to me when I came back. He like the good chap he is steadied the men and was helped by Captain Cox. I sent forward a platoon of Ruahine Coy to help stiffen things up, and on order being restored and no Turks appearing went forward to a spot close to the top of the ridge and established my Headquarters. By now wounded men by the score were being brought back and laid along the track, all sorts of wounds. The stretcher bearers couldn’t cope with the number and soon there were no stretchers. I got an immediate demand from Col Braund for more reinforcements but sent him a firm refusal. He then said as I would send him no more reinforcements he would have to retire to his first position. I told him he never ought to have left it.
I sent to Young and Cunningham and told them to dig in and link up if possible secure their flanks and hang on. Got replies they were doing so. Col Braund then came to see me and on my asking why he had been doing as he had, said the truth was, he feared that if he didn’t go on his men would run away. I said that was no reason to sacrifice aimlessly my men. I went and reported to General Walker and asked that the whole of the Australians be withdrawn as soon as possible. He came back with me to the position. We struck lots of Australians who hadn’t moved. I ordered them up and drove them ahead pelting the leading one on the track where they stopped with stones and putting my toe into the rear ones.
By this time wounded men were being brought back in scores (My Bn’s casualties out of 2 1/4 coys say 450 men were about 45 killed and 150 wounded, in about 1st hours of action), and left on track no stretchers being available. They were all very brave. No cries or even groans, one man kept saying “oh Daddy oh Daddy” in a low voice. Many greeted me cheerfully. [“] Well Colonel I’ve got it.” Many smiled. My men are wonderful. The world never saw better men or braver, I am sure. After the frightful murdering slaughter bungled by Col B. of the Australians they hung on, fired at from all quarters and yet unable in the jungle to see many of their enemy, dug themselves in. I went up with Hart and we divided up the ground held. Sent up picks and shovels and all night was passed by all hands, dig dig digging. Turks firing from a distance all the night with shrapnel, machine guns and rifles. Hart poor chap directing operations got shot thro the leg, flesh wound only I am glad to say. He will be back in about a fortnight. He was shot by a Turk within a few yards. The Turks threw hand grenades at us thro’ the night.
28th April 1915
We are well dug in. The Turks keep trying to blast us away and thro the day killed 3 or 4 and wounded 8 or 9. Our position is something like this.
The ground is covered with scrub. We go on digging and are shelled and rifle fired at night and day, but thanks to our excellent digging our casualties get less. I insisted on the Australians being all withdrawn. General Walker asked if I could hold on without them. I told him they were a source of weakness. All last night they kept up a blaze of rifle fire, into the dark at the Turks who they could not see and thus drew fire. The Turks knowing where we were. I tried to stop them but it was useless. About 1am Col Braund came to me for more ammunition. I refused to give it to him telling him he was wasting enough and only informing the Turks that he was scared. He insisted and I said responsibility on me. I sat tight and told him to go see General Walker as without his order I absolutely refused to give him any more ammunition. At 6am the Australians left. It was an enormous relief to see the last of them. I believe they are spasmodically brave and probably the best of them had been killed or wounded. They have been I venture to think badly handled and trained, officers in most cases no good. I am thinking of asking for a Court Martial on Col Braund. It makes me mad when I think of my grand men being sacrificed by his incapacity and folly. He is I believe a brave chap because he did not keep out of the racket. If he had it would have been better for us. I would not have minded losing the men, if only in a fair go, but to have them thrown away, is heartbreaking.
Poor Lt Wilson and all his NCOs except one Corporal knocked out. He killed. They did great work but ought not to have been plunged into the jungle. It was skirmishing with M. guns. Quite wrong my officers knew better but Col B [Braund] took the attitude I am your senior officer and the senior officer here and I order you to do what I tell you! They did it, to our frightful cost. We are unable to bury many of our killed. The whole of the scrubby slope opposite to us is full of snipers, dead shots. They pick off even our periscopes and to go out is sure death. Still at night men ... go out and we have buried all those lying in the least exposed places.
My officers are alright. We as well as our men have no blankets or kit, Army Headquarters have apparently decided not to land Echelon B which is Horses, Vehicles, Baggage etc. We have had no sleep since Saturday night yet are cheerful, fortunately the weather is fine and fairly warm.
29th April 1915
Today as yesterday in morning dig dig and dig, getting safer every hour. Last night I had a close call. I was reconnoitring with General Walker and the snipers were trying to get us. At last a bullet just cut my hair on the back of my neck, and goodness knows it is short enough. Still it wanted cutting! So this morning I got one of my orderlies to finish the job. I am glad to say my nerve is quite allright [sic] and my experience at the Canal was compared with now absolutely nil. I have had and have no inclination to duck which I thought everyone had. Any amount of good men about do so at every near burst. I thank my regular life. I was inclined to think that I was too high strung to stand the racket of real hard war. It is not so. Dreadful things are all round – yet no dread. It seems the same with all of us. Enemy only sniping vigorously all morning. In afternoon, they opened a terrific M [machine] gun and rifle and some shrapnel fire on our position: We kept low and let them blaze away. They are about 300 to 400 yds away. We cannot see them and for the matter of that only look for them with periscopes. I got our Howitzer O/C [Major Norris Falla] to let me have 2 guns to work. I had after a lot of trouble got a phone put in my forward trenches and connected with my HQ which was connected with the Howitzer Battery through the Brigade HQ by phone. I also was also in touch with some of the Naval guns. I had the great pleasure of directing the fire of the Howitzers and Naval guns. The Howitzer made excellent practice, and in a short time we paralysed the Turks fire.23 Then we began to find their trenches and when they ran our men got up and let them have it. We gave them fits and got some of our own back. Our men were delighted. It was a good stimulant for them.
Genl Godley had been offering us rum, but I refused it. I told him I should be sorry to think that my men wanted “Dutch courage”. The trouble is the army is short of Howitzer ammunition, and when we have fired 20 or 30 rounds Headquarters sing out about waste as they call it. I asked if killing Turks and getting back at them was waste and they didn’t know what to say except we are very short and somebody says you are wasting ammn.
We had a quiet night, comparatively, as a result. Only 2 killed and 2 wounded and the S.M. Bonar24 was one. Poor McGlade25 was killed the first day. We have had 2 officers killed and 6 wounded – Hart, Wilson and Hugo.26 Jardine,27 Furby, McColl,28 Turnbull29 and Bryan.30 Jardine got hit by shrapnel from our own naval guns. He is a good chap. He was shot through the back, yet walked out, and came and sat with me and drew me a plan of the position where he had come from. They are all splendid. I cannot sufficiently express my intense admiration of them all. None better in the world.
30th April 1915
A fairly quiet night. Still the Turks shelled us here and there now and again and lots of riflemen kept up fire. We don’t answer except occasionally with short M. Gun bursts. No-one hit. Digging as usual. All water and food has to be carried up (500 feet) from the beach, nearly a mile up a steep track, and the carriers are under sniper fire all day. Now and again one gets shot. Still they go on climbing sweating grunting falling but no grousing or complaining. We have some mules helping now. If only we could get plenty and save the men I would be glad. I am arranging every day to send some men to the beach for a swim and a few hours spell from the trenches. Whenever one sits down, one goes to sleep, without effort! We are getting back on the snipers and think we bag about 50 a day. The boys think it good sport and recompense for all their hardships. It rained last night. We were all cold and wet but not miserable. I am rigging out a home – part dug out, part sand bag ... no roof. A lovely look-out to beach and sea. I am perched on a ridge say 400ft above sea level. Shrub round about a steep cliff to my left and the track leading down the ridge on my right. Men dig-in all round, everywhere. It is a delightful spot in very sharp contrast to the fighting going on. There is not a second that some weapon is not being fired from 15in guns to the rifle. Shells bursting now and again. Huge shells arriving from probably the Sea of Marmara and plunging into the sea amidst our shipping. M. guns rattle-rattle. Crack and smack [of] the rifles. Boom and blast [of] the big guns. Men are killed and wounded. Very few now among my men, I am proud to say thanks to their splendid discipline and consequent good digging, and so the world goes on.
1st May 1915
Our friends treated us to some four hours violent rifle shooting last night. Sheets of lead passed over us. We didn’t fire a shot back. Casualties nil, but we can’t sleep. A fine warm day digging still. A quiet morning but in the afternoon, the Turks opened a terrific fire on our position. I got the Howitzers working again and after a time settled them and our men got a turn. At one time about 1000 of them moved towards the Australians and so got across our front. Our fellows let them have it, and as the Australians afterwards said “slaughtered them”. It was most stimulating, just what our men wanted. An Indian Mountain Gun Battery arrived, on the Ridge and dug emplacements. 26th Battery, Captain Whitting in command, Major Bruce, I think Brigadier. We don’t quite like their coming, they are bound to specially draw the Turks artillery fire and can’t do much good. Their field of fire is limited to a flank from which the Turk do not attack. Genl Godley came and had a look round. He was very complimentary to us and I think meant it. He didn’t stay long. [Sentence deleted by WGM.] He is very tall and had to stoop and bend to get out of the sight of the snipers.
2nd May 1915
Fine, fairly quiet day. The big shells from Sea of Marmara all but got one of the Transports. The shell to us seemed to hit her fair on the stern, one huge blaze of fire and then thick smoke. But the shell had just passed over and exploded alongside. Later I found that the shell had gone into an open hatch full of coal. [this sentence inserted later] 1 man killed, 2 or 3 wounded. All ships up anchored and started steaming from danger spot as quickly as they could. Today an observation post of Turks was found on Anafarta Point.31 It had been shelled, and a couple of batteries blown up some few days ago. A platoon of Canterbury Bn were sent by sea – landed and surprised some 2 officers and 15 men in a deep pit. They showed fight and got 2 or 3 killed and wounded. We got no more shell fire on the beach for a time. We are still digging – still being shot at night and day. Last night the Otago Bn was to have gone out and taken an advanced line, but at the last moment the order was cancelled. At about 5pm the Turks opened up again a tremendous rifle fire, m/guns also our artillery replied and after about 3 hours the thing died out. We had 2 men wounded only. Many many thanks to our digging power. It was a great pity we thought that the order for Otago to go was cancelled. The Turks had a good basting.
Tonight at 7pm the naval guns and our Howitzers and 18 Pdr QFs [Quick Firing] bombarded the Turks position for fifteen minutes but the practice was no good, the naval shells fell a thousand yards or so too far. The Otago Bn were to advance at 7.15 from Australians position but got delayed somehow and didn’t start until after 8pm. It was dark. They soon got against the Turks and after 3 charges, were driven back. We cheered them on from the start and the Turks I expect wondered what was up. They poured lead onto our position from 3,000 rifles, Col F.E. Johnston estimated. I was with him observing near one of our machine guns. The racket went on until about 2am. The Canterbury Bn was to have gone in thro’ our left and joined up with Otago, but Otago didn’t get thro’ [so the] Canterbury people couldn’t go on. A lion in the path to wit a machine gun barred the only track. Some of the Otago people hung on and dug in, but the bulk of them retired and were sent down to the beach, to rest. They lost some 100 men, and several officers. In my opinion the plan was no good and doomed from start. They tried to go in where the Turks had been attacked for days. They should have gone in from our left, ie almost other end of Turks. My remaining Corpl of machine guns Copeland32 was killed. I was within 9ft of him. I had just recommended him for a Comn [commission] and he deserved it. Poor lad shot thro’ the heart. Not a sound. Another gunner was wounded.
3rd May 1915
We hear we are to be relieved today. We haven’t asked for it but won’t refuse a spell, out of the actual fire. Later we are not to be relieved. So on we go with our digging. Sang froid, is our motto, also “cheeriness”. Everybody jokes, smiles, and laughs. Good men pass out and we don’t wince. Our turn next perhaps but we are doing our job and it’s all in the days “march”.
My dug out is quite homely now, a bunk of sand bags, tree feathers as I call twigs and leaves for a bed, an old scrim tiffin sack for a blanket. My great coat on, a dead Australian soldier’s (great coat) for a coverlet, a pack full of leaves for a pillow and I get some sleep – al fresco [sic] at present. I wash in a pint [0.57 litre] of water at night, save it and wash all over with a sponge in the morning, or rather 1/2 of me one day and the other 1/2 the next, in the same water, and then perhaps the water left does to wash a pair of socks! Great economy. I have a box or two for odds and ends, 4 bayonets picked up, stuck in my sand bag wall do to hang up all my gear on. I am getting a table. 2 oil sheets overhead now keep off the sun.
Turks still snipe away and we snipe back. We are beating them at their own game and our boys enjoy the sport. We get 20 to 100 a day, and lose hardly any. Every night the Turks give us a furious rifle shoot for about 2 hrs. We reply not. We think they have the jim jams,33 and think we are attacking them in the dark. The trouble is that night is turned into day, and made hideous.
Been trying all day to arrange our artillery bombardment of Turks position, but Divn HQ say as a few scouts are out, we musn’t shoot. The Turks are digging like mad or perhaps like us and the game is stalemate. As we couldn’t get the artillery going I went out for a little scout on our left flank [deleted in original, but legible.]
4th May 1915
Fine day. Again trying to get an artillery bombardment. Major Bruce, 26 Indian Mountain Battery, very keen too and helping. I hope at least to get his guns at work only 10 Pdrs but still something. Div HQ again step in and stop us. I am getting sick of it. The war is a “ JOKE WAR”. Ever since Aug last we have been getting “Notes” from, the front,34 all emphasising that modern war is a question of 1) artillery 2) digging, 3) telephones, 4) periscopes. We are constantly told to read and digest. We do so but when we want artillery to help us, phones and periscopes to enable us to work quickly and safely, we get almost35 nil results.
Our howitzers are short of ammunition, our 18 pounders don’t seem to be able to get into action, and the naval guns can’t talk soldier gunnery. As to phones – after losing life after life I got two small field phones, cost near enough 25/-each. They were old and worth about 5/0. Very soon one was taken away. As to periscopes – 4 per Company were issued. Every man or two ought to have had one. If it were not so serious – the penalty – one could roar with laughter at the preach and no practice. As to digging – if we had to depend on others we should go short, but that we can do, but even then it is hard to get hold of tools.
The Briton is a muddler all right. Still he gets there. That is how we feel. If only some of the German thoro’ness could be put into us. What a people we would make.
Feeling a bit sick of trying to help big things a bit, I went in on a little scout by myself on our left. I took a rifle and slithered into the scrub, found several dead Turks about, poor devils, been there since 25 April. Not pleasant to look at. Some women are wondering about them and will weep. I will try and get them buried tonight. Unfortunately we cannot bury lots of our own poor chaps. We can see them here and there but it is almost certain death to go out to them. There are two I would specially like to bury Lt Wilson and a bugler lad Bissett36 from Hawera. He lies with his bugle on his back face downwards, shot in his tracks. I hear day by day of innumerable acts of special bravery on the part of our men. One could fill a book – one Roberts37 carried 3 wounded men out of the inferno and came back for another man and was then killed himself. It is a wonder that many of our 1st 2 Coys came through. Menteath38 of West Coast Coy was telling me that he was with a lot of Australians who gathered round him and wanted to retire. He wouldn’t let them so they stayed and were killed one after an other. He was surrounded with dead men. How he escaped he cannot tell. (Menteath was killed later at Krithia Battle 8/5/15 [inserted by WGM later]) To go back to my scout, I wanted to see if HMS Canopus could fire direct on to some new Turk trenches without hitting us. I got a good way out and found that she could and was then picked up by Corpl Sievers.39 He had heard that I had gone out and came after me to warn me against our own snipers. I was in Turk country and could most likely be taken for a Turk. I went back quick and lively. I brought a Turks pack with a camel hair blanket – brown with 3 red stripes and a great rent in it. The blanket will do for a cover for my table. The Turks name is [Arabic script] such was written on his pack.
On getting back I saw our Brigadier and asked him to arrange for the Canopus to fire on the Turks new trenches. He told me we re-embark tomorrow for destination unknown. Some flank movement I suppose. We are to be replaced by the Naval Division troops. We are sorry to go in spite of everything. I wanted to get at the Turks on our left and I think it could be done. Still we must do as we are ordered.
5th May 1915
Last night Turk fusillade grew but it was mostly against the Australians across the gully and except for the noise and the necessity of being on the alert we had a quiet night. Only 3 of our men wounded yesterday. We are to re-embark back tonight it is thought for Cape Helles to help the 29th Divn. The Naval Divn people have arrived such boys they look, still they must be sturdy. There are no troops like ours to look at and now I know as regards my Bn for work no regiment in the world could have done better. Into action on 27th 40% loss [corrected by WGM previously “45% loss almost”] of troops engaged fight and dig night and day for 8 days. No blankets. All food and water to be carried up hill a long way. Living in trenches. Yet cheery and unshaken. I was busy with Major Bruce of 26 Indian Mtn Battery, trying to get the new Turk trenches on our left shelled. It seems strange that there is such difficulty about it. My Brigadier won’t let me go to Divl HQ about it and is busy himself with other things I suppose. I find, and am glad to say, Major Bruce very keen to help and I think as he can get away on his own the Turks will get blown out of the trenches. He has promised me to go off to the warship on our flank which is in line with the trenches. The Canopus has gone, the Majestic taking her place. The “Nelson” Bn of Naval Brigade took over our position today. The Colonel Eversley [sic, Evelegh] is a mild mannered elderly man. He is lucky to get my dugout. It was very comfortable, just finished. At about 2pm the Brigade Major (Naval Bde) came along, and I went with him to put up a flag at extreme left of our position so that the Majestic could fire without mistake. The flag not being much and dark blue, I put a helio41 at the point to flash to the Majestic. At about 4 the Majestic opened fire with 12” guns (I think) and got the Turk trenches 1st pop. She fired about 5 shells and blew the trenches and a lot of Turks to pieces. They went up, in bits. Then we got our Howitzer to fire on the Turks who were running for their lives. A lot of Taranaki Coy men too got busy with their rifles. Unfortunately unknown to me our machine guns had been dismounted, and the naval guns not put up or we would have slaughtered the Turks. As it was we bagged a lot of them. We are all very pleased at a good finish as it were to our occupation of the position. But I should have liked to have followed up with another bombardment to night and then attacked with my Bn. I believe we could have swept and taken the whole front line of the Turks trenches.
At 8.15 we marched to embarking piers and went off to Destroyers. A long cold job because after getting into all sorts of cutters and pinnaces we had to wait some 4 hours without moving. Finally, we got on board. I went on HMS Mosquito. Her officers made us at home. I enjoyed a cup of cocoa, biscuits, 2 oranges, chocolate and chocolate creams!! Quite a feast, at 1am. We reached Tekke Burnu [Sedd el Bahr – crossed out] about 3am and soon landed waiting for remainder of Bn. I turned in on the beach and got a couple of hours sleep until daylight.