From the date of this battle to the end of the month of June the
incessant attacks and counter-attacks which have so grievously swelled
our lists of casualties have been caused by the determination of the
Turks to regain ground they had lost, a determination clashing against
our firm resolve to continue to increase our holding. Several of these
daily encounters would have been the subject of a separate despatch
in the campaigns of my youth and middle age, but, with due regard to
proportion, they cannot even be so much as mentioned here. Only one
example each from the French, British, and Australian and New Zealand
spheres of action will be most briefly set down so that Your Lordship
may understand the nature of the demands made upon the energies and
fortitude of the troops.
(1) At 4.30 a.m. on June 21 the French Corps Expéditionnaire attacked
the formidable works that flank the Kereves Dere. By noon their 2nd
Division had stormed all the Turkish first and second line trenches to
their front and had captured the Haricot redoubt. On their right the
1st Division took the first line of trenches, but were counter-attacked
and driven out. Fresh troops were brought up and launched upon another
assault, but the Turks were just as obstinate and drove out the second
party before they had time to consolidate. At 2.45 p.m. General Gouraud
issued an order that full use might be made of the remaining five hours
of daylight, and that, before dark, these trenches must be taken and
held, otherwise the gains of the 2nd Division would be sacrificed. At
6. p.m. the third assault succeeded; 600 yards of trenches remained in
our hands, despite all the heavy counter-attacks made through the night
by the enemy. In this attack the striplings belonging to the latest
French drafts specially distinguished themselves by their forwardness
and contempt of danger. Fifty prisoners were taken, and the enemy's
casualties (mostly incurred during counter-attacks) were estimated at
7,000. The losses of the Corps Expéditionnaire were 2,500.