On the night of May 2 a bold effort was made to seize a commanding
knoll in front of the centre of the line. The enemy's enfilading
machine guns were too scientifically posted, and 800 men were lost
without advantage beyond the infliction of a corresponding loss to the
enemy. On May 4 an attempt to seize Kaba Tepe was also unsuccessful,
the barbed wire here being something beyond belief. But a number
of minor operations have been carried out, such as the taking of a
Turkish observing station; the strengthening of entrenchments; the
reorganization of units, and the perfecting of communication with the
landing-place. Also a constant strain has been placed upon some of the
best troops of the enemy, who, to the number of 24,000, are constantly
kept fighting and being killed and wounded freely, as the Turkish
sniper is no match for the Kangaroo shooter, even at his own game.
The assistance of the Royal Navy, here as elsewhere, has been
invaluable. The whole of the arrangements have been in Admiral
Thursby's hands, and I trust I may be permitted to say what a trusty
and powerful friend he has proved himself to be to the Australian and
New Zealand Army Corps.