At the close of the ten days and ten nights described in my first
despatch our troops had forced their way forward for some 5,000 yards
from the landing-places at the point of the peninsula. Opposite them
lay the Turks, who since their last repulse had fallen back about
half a mile upon previously prepared redoubts and entrenchments. Both
sides had drawn heavily upon their stock of energy and munitions, but
it seemed clear that whichever could first summon up spirit to make
another push must secure at least several hundreds of yards of the
debatable ground between the two fronts. And several hundred yards,
whatever it might mean to the enemy, was a matter of life or death to
a force crowded together under gun fire on so narrow a tongue of land.
Such was the situation on May 5, the date last mentioned in my despatch
of the 20th of that month.
On that day I determined to continue my advance, feeling certain that
even if my tired troops could not carry the formidable opposing lines
they would at least secure the use of the intervening ground. Orders
were forthwith issued for an attack.