Owing to casualties this line was somewhat thinly held. Still, it was
so vital to make what headway we could before the enemy recovered
himself and received fresh reinforcements that it was decided to push
on as quickly as possible. Orders were therefore issued for a general
advance to commence at 8 a.m. next day.
The 29th Division were to march on Krithia, with their left brigade
leading, the French were directed to extend their left in conformity
with the British movements and to retain their right on the coast-line
south of the Kereves Dere.
The advance commenced at 8 a.m. on the 28th, and was carried out with
commendable vigour, despite the fact that from the moment of landing
the troops had been unable to obtain any proper rest.
[Illustration: MAP 2. (_To face page 32._)]
The 87th Brigade, with which had been incorporated the Drake Battalion,
Royal Naval Division, in the place of the King's Own Scottish Borderers
and South Wales Borderers, pushed on rapidly, and by 10 a.m. had
advanced some two miles. Here the further progress of the Border
Regiment was barred by a strong work on the left flank. They halted to
concentrate and make dispositions to attack it, and at that moment
had to withstand a determined counter-attack by the Turks. Aided by
heavy gun-fire from H.M.S. _Queen Elizabeth_, they succeeded in beating
off the attack, but they made no further progress that day, and when
night fell entrenched themselves on the ground they had gained in the
morning.
The Inniskilling Fusiliers, who advanced with their right on the
Krithia ravine, reached a point about three-quarters of a mile
south-west of Krithia. This was, however, the farthest limit attained,
and later on in the day they fell back into line with other corps.
The 88th Brigade on the right of the 87th progressed steadily until
about 11.30 a.m., when the stubbornness of the opposition, coupled
with a dearth of ammunition, brought their advance to a standstill.
The 86th Brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Casson, which had been held
in reserve, were thereupon ordered to push forward through the 88th
Brigade in the direction of Krithia.
The movement commenced at about 1 p.m., but though small reconnoitring
parties got to within a few hundred yards of Krithia, the main body
of the brigade did not get beyond the line held by the 88th Brigade.
Meanwhile, the French had also pushed on in the face of strong
opposition along the spurs on the western bank of the Kereves Dere, and
had got to within a mile of Krithia with their right thrown back and
their left in touch with the 88th Brigade. Here they were unable to
make further progress; gradually the strength of the resistance made
itself felt, and our Allies were forced during the afternoon to give
ground.