GALLIPOLI.
At this stage it is necessary, in order that the future environment may
be fully understood, to give some account of the Gallipoli Peninsula and
of the events of the 25th April, 1915, and later.
The Peninsula forms the European side to the Straits of the Dardanelles
and is about 53 miles in length. On the north-western side it is washed
by the waters of the Gulf of Xeros and on the western side by the Aegean
Sea. Near its northern end, at Bulair, it is only two and a half miles
across. At Suvla Burnu[G] it broadens out to about 12 miles, but narrows
again between Gaba Tepe[H] and Maidos to a bare four miles. Gaba Tepe is
about eight miles south of Suvla Burnu and Helles Burnu--the southern
end of the Peninsula--13 miles further. Cliffs of marl or sand, rising
very abruptly and varying in height from 100 to 300 feet, mark the
greater length of the shore. These are broken here and there by the
gullies which bring away from the interior the waters of the heavy
autumn and winter rains. From Gaba Tepe northwards to Suvla Bay there is
an almost uninterrupted stretch of beach from which, opposite the latter
feature, a somewhat marshy plain runs back to the foothills of Tekke
Tepe.
Groups of hills are marked features of the interior, the most prominent
being known as Sari Bair[I] which rises to a height of 971 feet at Koja
Chemin Tepe and is the one most familiar to the Australians. These hills
possess very steep--even precipitous--slopes which are much excoriated
by wind, rain, and frost, and broken into an amazing tangle of gullies
and hollows. Firs and stunted oaks, brushwood, oleanders or
rhododendrons, and other shrubs are thick wherever they can hold, and
form no inconsiderable obstacle--two to four feet high--to anyone's
passage.
Before the war a very small part of the land was under cultivation. A
few miniature olive and currant orchards, attempts at vineyards, and
trifling patches of beans and grain, represented the sole efforts at
tillage. There were no railways, and the few roads in existence were in
poor condition. In or near what afterwards became the British zone, the
only communities were those grouped around the fortifications near
Helles and the villages of Krithia, Kurija Dere, Biyuk Anafarta, and
Anafarta Sagir. On the side nearer Asia, Maidos, Galata, and Gallipoli
boasted the status of towns. Between these last-named points and into
the Sea of Marmara the communication and trade were mostly carried on by
means of boats.
[Illustration: SHOWING ALLIED LINES AT THE TIME OF THE EVACUATION.
_Map by Australian War Museum._]
The Gallipoli Peninsula formed part of Thrace of the ancients. Through
it Xerxes, the Persian king, after crossing the Dardanelles, attacked
the Greeks with an army and followers estimated at over 2,000,000. This
was about 480 B.C. It also lay in the route of Alexander the Great in
his march on Egypt and India commenced in 334 B.C. Later on it was
overrun by the Gauls, recovered by the Greeks, occupied by the Romans in
the 2nd century A.D., passed into the possession of the Venetians 1,000
years later, and was finally held by the Turks as a result of their
invasion of Europe in 1356. In 1807 a British naval squadron forced the
passage of the Straits but suffered considerable damage, when returning,
from large stone shot fired from the guns of the forts. Again, in 1853,
the British and French fleets sailed into the Sea of Marmara in support
of the Turks who were on the verge of war with Russia. At Bulair, in
March and April, 1854, the British troops on the way to the Crimea
landed, and, in conjunction with their allies, constructed across the
neck of the Peninsula the fortifications known as the Bulair Lines.
Following the outbreak of the great European War, Turkey, on the 31st
October, 1914, definitely threw in her lot with Germany. In order to
deal with the Ottoman, and at the same time restore communication with
Russia through the Black Sea route, the French and British Governments
decided to force the Straits. A bombardment was opened on the 3rd
November, 1914, but lasted for a few minutes only. On the 19th February
following, and succeeding days, a heavy bombardment was carried out and
small craft were engaged in mine-sweeping up towards the Narrows. Again,
on the 18th March, the attack was renewed--some ships penetrating the
Strait eight or ten miles--but the Turks loosed some large mines which
floated down and sunk three of the battleships. Now it became obvious
that the aid of land forces must be sought in order to deal with the
enemy defences. That task was committed to an army already assembling in
Egypt and on Lemnos Island. This army was under the command of General
Sir Ian Hamilton and was composed of a French Division, the 29th British
Division, the Royal Naval Division, and the Australian and New Zealand
Army Corps; the last-named formation being commanded by Major-General
Sir William Birdwood.
Very early in the morning of the 25th April, 1915, the attack was
commenced. The French troops landed at Kum Kale--on the Asiatic side of
the Strait; the 29th Division, and part of the R.N. Division, at five
places at the southern end of the Peninsula; the Anzac Corps at a cove
about 3,000 yards north of Gaba Tepe; whilst the major portion of the
R.N. Division was sent under convoy to make a feint in the Gulf of Xeros
near to the Bulair Lines.
The Australian attack was led by the 3rd Brigade (including the 11th
Battalion). After a week's heroic fighting (in which the 16th Battalion
took a prominent part) under conditions never before experienced in
warfare, and the loss of 9,000 killed, wounded, and missing, a position
was made good which extended in an arc from the foot of Walker's Ridge,
on the north, up to Russell's Top, across the head of Monash Gully, to
MacLaurin's Hill, continuing to Bolton's Ridge and resecting the beach
about 2,000 yards north of Gaba Tepe. The base of this arc measured
about 2,700 yards and the enclosed area did not exceed three-quarters of
a square mile.
During the next three months the Corps was reinforced by various drafts,
and four brigades of Light Horse dismounted. Attempts were made from
time to time to improve and extend the Australian position, but little
progress was made. At the same time the Turks were by no means idle for,
apart from fortifying their positions, they frequently attacked in
endeavours to drive us off their soil. The heaviest assault was on the
18th May when 30,000 fresh troops were flung at the 1st Division and the
New Zealanders. So effectually were they repulsed that the Turks begged
for an armistice for the purpose of collecting and burying the dead.
Sir Ian Hamilton, who had been strengthened by several new divisions,
planned a fresh attack for early in August. On the 6th of that month the
1st (N.S.W.) Brigade stormed Lone Pine. On the following morning attacks
were made from Steel's Post, Quinn's Post, Pope's Hill, and Russell's
Top, but all of these were unfruitful and caused heavy losses. The main
attack in the Anzac sector was, however, delivered from the left. This
commenced on the night of the 6th August and swept up the Sazli Beit and
Chailak Deres,[J] over Big Table Top, Bauchop Hill, and Rhododendron
Spur, to a position--afterwards called "The Apex"--within 400 yards of
the summit of Chunuk Bair.[K] A portion of the force detailed for this
advance moved up the Aghyl Dere and endeavoured to take Koja Chemin Tepe
from the west side but, after many casualties, had to entrench on some
of the under-features (Cheshire Ridge-Warwick Castle).
During the progress of this fighting the IX. Corps made a fresh landing
at Suvla Bay (6th-7th August). The combat was heavy and eventually a
junction was effected with the Australian left, but not one of the real
objectives was gained.
The operations were continued until the 29th August, on which date the
10th Light Horse, sent north to reinforce there, stormed Hill 60. This
was the last Australian attack on the Peninsula. Henceforth attention
was given solely to holding and strengthening the positions gained. The
2nd Australian Division took no part in any of these operations, but one
of its battalions--the 18th--arrived in time to join in the fighting for
the hill feature just mentioned.
The net result of the August fighting gave to the Anzac and IX. Corps a
continuous line of about 12 miles. This ran from the Brighton Beach to
the Gulf of Xeros. Behind this the depth did not average more than 1-1/4
miles but the Anzac area was enlarged from 300 acres to 8 square miles.
This gain cost the Australasians 18,000 casualties. The exhausted troops
remaining were gradually relieved by the 2nd Division pending the
further development of the British plans.
* * * * *
To return to the record of the events with which the 28th Battalion was
concerned after leaving Alexandria.
The knowledge gained during the voyage of the "Ascanius" enabled the
troops to settle quickly in their new quarters. In addition to the W.A.
Battalion there were on board two companies and the headquarters of the
27th Battalion. The transport, the "Ivernia,"[L] was a comfortable ship
of 14,000 tons register belonging to the Cunard Line. The captain and
officers at first displayed a rather cool and curt manner towards their
new passengers but in the course of a day or two visibly thawed. The
captain afterwards, in explanation, stated that from information he had
received in regard to the Australians he had expected to find in them an
absence of discipline and a tendency to "smash things." He was now
agreeably surprised to discover them so tractable and
well-behaved--comparing them in a most favourable manner with other
contingents he had carried.
[Illustration: CHUNUK BAIR.
Taken from Table Top--looking East. Corner of Rhododendron Spur at top of
right-side.
_Official Photo. No. G. 1830c._
_Copyright by Australian War Museum._]
Routine was quickly instituted. Special precautions had to be taken in
regard to enemy submarines which at this time had become very active
and had lately torpedoed the "Southland" conveying the Brigadier and
portion of the 6th Brigade as well as the G.O.C. and Staff of the 2nd
Australian Division. News of this occurrence had reached the Battalion
just prior to embarkation and naturally excited great interest. However,
the voyage proved uneventful, the weather good, and the colours of the
sea and evening skies a never failing attraction.
Heading towards Crete, the transport skirted its western coast and
thence wended its way through the Grecian Archipelago. Arriving off
Mudros Bay, Lemnos Island, on the evening of the 8th September, it was
found that a boom was across the entrance and the harbour closed for the
night. Nothing remained to be done but to stand on and off during the
hours of darkness. To cast anchor would have rendered the ship an easy
prey to the underwater craft. The sight of the "Southland" on a
neighbouring beach lent point to this possibility.
Shortly after sunrise the appearance of a British destroyer coming from
the direction of the Bay indicated that the entrance was now open.
Threading its way between numbers of British and French men-of-war and
other vessels the transport came to rest something less than a mile from
the shore.
Anchored in the vicinity was the R.M.S. "Aragon," now used as quarters
for the Inspector-General of the Line of Communications and his staff.
From this source orders were received to disembark the Battalion on the
following day. The arrangements necessary were few, consequently there
was little to do and most of the afternoon was spent in bathing at the
ship's side or in writing letters. Word had gone forth that the last
mail before reaching Gallipoli would close that night. So numerous were
the missives that it was found necessary to make every available officer
a censor for the time being in order that delay might be avoided. The
writings, as usual, were apropos of the occasion but it was found that
one man, anticipating events, had informed his mother that he was
writing his few words "by the light of the bursting shells."
Disembarkation was to commence at 2 p.m. on the 10th September but the
movement proved to be merely a transhipment to the Weymouth-Channel
Islands packet boat "Sarnia" which arrived, after a delay of one and
a-half hours, and tied up alongside the transport. Coincident with this
there appeared several staff officers delegated to "assist." The Senior
Naval Transport Officer, a captain in the Royal Navy, endeavoured to
make up the 90 minutes lost by urging speed in the move from one ship to
the other. When the futility of expecting fully equipped men to move
quickly over the solitary 15-inch plank laid down as a gangway was
pointed out to him, he showed signs of irritability and threatened an
adverse report on the handling of the troops. On being informed that it
was his privilege to make such a report he left the ship. However, he
was later observed in altercation with the skipper of the smaller vessel
and eventually a second gangway was rigged. When this move was commenced
there was room on the main deck for two companies only. The other two
were kept clear and their officers took refuge on the boat deck. There
they were found, reclining in chairs, by another staff officer duly
be-tabbed, trousered, brogued, and carrying a cane. He seemed to be
amazed at the indifference of the Australians to their impending move
and burst out "I say, you fellows, do you know that you've got to be off
this ---- ship in half an hour?" Being greeted with roars of laughter he
disappeared down the companionway calling plaintively, "Where's the
Colonel? Where's the Colonel?"
Within ten minutes of the time originally allowed, the Battalion had
passed over to the "Sarnia." As she sheered off loud cheers were given
for the captain of the "Ivernia" and groans for one of his officers whom
the men considered had been, on the voyage, over niggardly with the
rations. The packet boat, her decks rather tightly packed with troops,
moved down the Bay between the lines of the warships, whose crews
cheered and cheered again those now leaving for the front. Darkness was
falling as the transport entered the open sea and steamed at 17 knots in
the direction of Anzac--60 miles away to the north-east.
Some two hours elapsed and then star shells, bursting over Achi Baba,
near the Southern end of the Peninsula, gave the newcomers a first
glimpse of the "real war." Later on the guns could be heard and shell
explosions witnessed on the plain of Helles where the VIII. Corps and
the French had been for the previous five months. Keen were the watchers
on the deck of the "Sarnia" and keener still they became as the rugged
mass of Sari Bair loomed out of the sea. It was then known that the end
of the journey was at hand.
Nearing the Peninsula at this point--opposite Williams' Pier--resembled
somewhat an approach to Mt. Eliza on a dark night by boat from Perth
Water. Lights shone out from dugouts constructed in the steep slopes,
moving lights were discerned on the beach beneath, and the crest line
was in darkness except when now and then illuminated by the flash of a
bomb, shell, or gun. The simile could be pursued no further, for to
those who had not yet been in action the noise going on seemed to
indicate that some fierce fighting must be in progress. The dull but
powerful thud of exploding hand bombs, the sharper crashing explosion of
shell, the report of a discharging gun and the roar of its projectile,
echoed and re-echoed, in its flight along one of the numerous ravines,
induced belief that very little time must elapse before the 28th would
be "in it." It turned out otherwise, however, and subsequent experience
showed that these signs and sounds were the mere accompaniment of a
"quiet night."
[Illustration: WILLIAMS' PIER.
Where the 28th landed. Stores in the foreground. The vessel on the left
was sunk to act as a breakwater and afterwards used as a reservoir for
drinking water. Trawlers in the distance.
_Photo. lent by Mr. T. Pritchard._]
The "Sarnia" stopped her engines when about a mile from the shore.
Almost at once one or two flat craft, black in colour and without funnel
or rigging, were observed approaching. As they drew alongside a staff
officer came up the transport's gangway and delivered the orders for
landing the troops. The disembarkation commenced at once--the officers
and men filing down the gangway on to the waiting barges. These barges
had been given the name of "beetles." They were constructed of
bullet-proof iron plates, were propelled by motor engines set astern,
could attain a racing speed of five knots, and were designed to carry 50
horses or 500 men with stores, ammunition and water. Built for the
Suvla landing, the "beetles" had fully proved their usefulness, but
certainly they lacked every element of comfort.
During the disembarkation it was noted that a destroyer had moved in on
the right and was directing her searchlight on Gaba Tepe and vicinity.
This prevented any observation of the landing process from the direction
of the Turkish lines in that quarter. Occasionally she fired her guns
and generally gave the impression of intense watchfulness.
By midnight everybody was free of the ship, and the Battalion, leaving
Williams' Pier and guided by a staff officer, stumbled along the beach
in a northerly direction for a little over a mile to the shelter of
Waterfall Gully--a small hollow in the western side of Bauchop's Hill.
Two platoons of "A" Company, under Captain Montgomery, had been left on
the beach for fatigue duty there. They did not rejoin the unit until the
25th September.
Fatigued with the long day, and overburdened with the load of equipment,
rest was the first essential. An attempt was made to form a bivouac, but
so small was the space available, and so rough the ground, that the idea
had to be abandoned. The men were told to lie down where they
were--amongst disused trenches, numerous latrine pits, and close to the
remains of the 5th Connaught Rangers (88th) who had been decimated in
the fighting of the previous month.
During the night two companies of the 27th Battalion, under Major
Jeffrey, were landed. Within 24 hours the Brigadier and staff and the
remaining units of the brigade were also disembarked and sheltered in
various features near the beach. For the time being the brigade formed
part of the New Zealand and Australian Division which normally consisted
of the N.Z. Mounted Rifle Brigade and the N.Z. and 4th Australian
Infantry Brigades, together with certain artillery, engineers, and other
troops. The division was commanded by Major-General Sir A. J. Godley,
K.C.M.G.
At dawn of the 11th September, those of the 28th who were still sleeping
were rudely awakened by guns firing close at hand. A destroyer had moved
in to within a few cable lengths of the shore and was viciously shooting
over the heads of the infantry at some target which the enemy on Sari
Bair afforded.
During the next few hours contact was gained with the 16th Battalion in
reserve in Hay Valley near by. The new arrivals were heartily welcomed
by the exhausted remains of that famous unit whose adjutant was, on this
morning, shot through the chest whilst on his way to visit the 28th. Nor
did the inhabitants of Waterfall Gully escape the hostile bullet, for
before noon two members (Private F. T. Mitchell was the first) were hit
when they left the shelter of the valley to proceed to a well (kuyu) on
the adjacent beach. These were the earliest casualties as a result of
the enemy's fire.
Orders having been received to relieve the 4th Australian Infantry
Brigade, astride the Aghyl Dere, a party moved up and, after the C.O.
had conferred with Colonel Monash, reconnoitred the advanced positions.
Later in the day these orders were cancelled, and the 28th was directed
to take over the "Apex" salient from the Otago Battalion, N.Z. Infantry.
At 7 o'clock that evening Waterfall Gully was evacuated and the
Battalion moved up the Chailak Dere to the ravines between Bauchop's
Hill, Little Table Top, and Rose Hill. There the night was spent and
next evening, the "Apex" position having been reconnoitred, "C" and "D"
Companies moved to the front line and relieved the New Zealanders. "A"
and "B" Companies took up a position in reserve some 300 yards in rear,
near the head of the Chailak Dere. One platoon of "A" Company and the
Machine Gun Section were posted on Canterbury Slope--a position in
support of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade and on the left flank of
Rhododendron Spur.
The position the Battalion was now responsible for was the neck or
junction of the Rhododendron Spur with the Sari Bair feature. On the
right was the Sazli Beit Dere, and on the left the southern arm of the
Aghyl Dere. Behind was the ravine of the Chailak. The trenches ran along
in a pothook shape from Rhododendron Spur down to the Cheshire Ridge, on
the north side. Opposite to the centre was the actual summit, which was
called the "Pinnacle," and was held by the Turks. Here they had erected
a block house, which stood about 50 yards from our own trench. The enemy
earthworks lined the opposite sides of the gullies at a range varying
from 100 to 250 yards from our position--the right of which could be
enfiladed from the blockhouse.
To hold this salient was of vital importance. Its loss would have
severed the Australian line, turned the flank of the Cheshire Ridge, and
exposed to enfilade fire most of the ground gained to the northward
during the August fighting. A strong garrison and special vigilance were
both necessary. To this post of honour the Western Australian portion of
the 7th Infantry Brigade was allotted by reason of the high standard of
efficiency it had attained during the training period.
The remainder of the 7th Brigade was disposed as follows:--25th and 27th
Battalions on Cheshire Ridge, the left of the former resting on the
Aghyl Dere, and the right of the 27th joining up with the 28th, near
Apex. The 26th Battalion was held in Divisional Reserve, at Taylor's
Hollow, and supplied working parties for engineering and beach duties.
One company of the 27th was available as a reserve in the hands of the
Brigadier, who was located about half-a-mile from the front line, at the
Western foot of Table Top.
[Illustration: THE TRENCHES AT "THE APEX."
_Map by Australian War Museum._]
For tactical purposes, the "Apex" position was divided into four
posts--numbered from the right. "C" Company took Nos. 1 and 2 and was
afterwards relieved by "B" Company. "D" Company took Nos. 3 and 4 and
later handed over to "A" Company. Nos. 3 and 4 Posts were the closer to
the enemy and, consequently, of greater importance. Each post was
further divided into a certain number of Groups--each under a
Non-commissioned Officer. Three machine guns were mounted in the
parapet. After the first week, Lieut. Shaw took these over and also
mounted additional guns in secret emplacements, which were constructed
by digging through the escarp and tunnelling forward and upward.
The trenches were at least six feet deep and excavated in a kind of
conglomerate, which needed very little revetting and was a good bullet
or splinter stopper. A ledge or firestep ran along the inside of the
trench. Upon this the garrison stood if an attack was to be repelled.
The instructions for the posts required that men in them were to be
always in a state of readiness, _i.e._, rifle loaded, bayonet fixed, and
equipment worn. One man in each group acted as sentry. He usually sat on
a bag full of earth, placed on the firestep, and by means of a
periscope, watched for any movement of the enemy. In the wall of the
trench little excavations held boxes of reserve ammunition and
hand-bombs of various sorts.
The trenches having been commenced only a few weeks earlier, were in a
very incomplete state and required much labour and development.
Especially was this so in connection with the main communication
trenches. Support trenches had also to be constructed and excavations
made to establish a direct covered way to the Light Horse, on the
southern face of the Rhododendron Spur. These works were undertaken by
men from the supports and Battalion reserve. Many hard, long, weary
hours were put in with the pick and shovel and the sandbag--which last
was the only means of carrying away the spoil.
The defence at first was without any properly arranged plan for support
from the artillery or flanking units. Before the brigade left the
sector, however, the New Zealand Field Artillery Brigade, a British
6-inch Howitzer Battery, and a 4.7-inch Battery, all had their lines
laid down for fire to cover the front. An Indian Mountain Battery also
lay in a nook in the Chailak Dere--ready for any emergency. In addition,
no less than 31 machine guns--in front and on the flanks--could be
brought to bear on the threatened point. To assist in the machine gun
work, and advise on local conditions, the Battalion was fortunate in
having attached to it for a time Captain Rose, a British Service
officer of the Division, and that gallant soldier, Lieut Percy Black,
D.C.M.,[M] 16th Battalion.
[Illustration: THE APEX.
The exterior viewed from the South side. Our trench was where the figure
is standing. The nob shown at the right centre is the Pinnacle, and
marks the enemy trench. The horizon between was No-man's Land. In the
background are the trenches on the southern shoulder of Chunuk Bair.
_Official Photo. No. G. 1909. Copyright by Australian War Museum._]
As part of the defence arrangements, telephone communication was
maintained with brigade headquarters. The aerial wires were, however,
much exposed to hostile artillery fire and frequently cut. To repair
them Lieut. Scouler and his linemen, under Corporal Curran, made many
journeys across the exposed portion of the slopes of the ravines. Flag
signalling was unnecessary, but a lamp was mounted and sighted so that
in case of a sudden attack after dark support could be immediately
summoned.
Beyond the actual trenches there was little cover for the garrison. A
few excavations in the earth--designated "dugouts"--roofed with
waterproof sheets, afforded moderate protection against the weather, but
none against shrapnel, splinter, or bomb. The C.O. was the possessor of
quarters boasting a covering of two sheets of corrugated iron which had
a thin layer of earth on top. This, however, demonstrated its degree of
usefulness by falling in upon its occupant. Later on excavations were
made in the walls of the communication trenches--each to afford a
"comfortable" sleeping place for two or more men.
To assist the newcomers it had been arranged to leave in the trenches a
few officers and men of the New Zealanders. Major W. W. Alderman was
attached as Staff Officer to the Commanding Officer. A N.Z. Field
Company of Engineers had charge of the works in the area, and for the
first week the N.Z. Infantry manned the machine guns. The help thus
rendered was invaluable to the inexperienced, and a strong feeling of
mutual regard sprang up between the members of the two Dominions. The
majority of the New Zealanders thus remaining were Maoris--a body of men
of fine physique, who had demonstrated their capacity to endure and also
proved their worth as keen and sterling fighters. The Maoris had their
own chaplain and medical officer. The latter (Dr. M. P. Buck) later
commanded the N.Z. Pioneer Battalion.
The attitude of the opposing armies at this time was not altogether
passive. A war of attrition was carried on continuously. This took the
form of daily bombardments by the artillery of positions and areas
behind the trenches; also the raking of parapets of opposing trenches,
and No Man's Land, by machine gun fire at night. Sniping with the rifle
had become a fine art, and authenticated cases, wherein a Turk had been
knocked over, were mentioned in Orders. One Light Horseman, it was
recorded in Corps Orders, had over 200 of the enemy to his credit. This
sniping was done from carefully concealed positions (possies), from
steel loopholes built into the parapet, or by means of the periscope
rifle which latter enabled the user to fire over the sandbags without
any exposure of his own body.
Sniping with field guns was also indulged in. In this the enemy had the
advantage by reason of being on higher ground and able to overlook most
of the Australian sector. Working parties, parties in movement, and
individuals who came under observation, were usually treated to a dose
of shrapnel fired with excellent aim and timing from 77 millimeter guns
of high velocity. The projectile from this gun was usually designated a
"whizz-bang" on account of the short space of time which elapsed between
the first sound of its approach and that of the explosion of the shell.
By some grim humourist it was said that if one could hear the shell
coming there was no danger to be feared, but if, on the other hand, the
sound was not audible, then there was no need to worry. The burial
parties would do all that was necessary.
In fighting between trench and trench, considerable use was made,
besides the rifle, of bombs or grenades. These were of varied types,
with either concussion or missile effect, and some were thrown by hand
whilst others were propelled from mortars or catapults. The Mills
grenade had just made its appearance, and was regarded as a special
reserve of power in case of an enemy attack. The numbers of these
available were small but other types were more plentiful and included
the jam tin, cricket ball, time and friction, match head, and hair
brush. Some were ignited by mechanical action and others by match or
portfire. Portfires were made by wrapping a piece of khaki drill tightly
around a thin strip of pine wood. One of these when once lit would burn
for hours.
Of Trench Mortars the Apex position possessed two--one a 3.7 inch and
the other, smaller, a Garland Howitzer. These threw light bombs a short
distance. Their effect was quite local and, except in case of a direct
hit on a person, hardly more than moral. One of these mortars was
located on either flank of the position. Private F. Congdon was placed
in charge of that on the right and Private J. B. Deering that on the
left. These soldiers soon learned to use their weapons so effectively
that the Turk was discovered, early one morning, to have placed a
protective wire-netting screen in front of and over the Blockhouse.
Later on the Battalion made the acquaintance of the Catapult. This
machine resembled a large "shanghai" fixed to timber, one end of which
rested on the parapet whilst the other--in the trench--was packed in a
manner to give the required elevation. A cricket ball or jam tin bomb
was placed in the pouch and the rubbers were then strained by means of a
crank handle winding up a wire attached to the pouch with a trip hook.
When the required tension was obtained one man lit the fuse and retired
to cover. The other, the expert, allowing the fuse to burn for a certain
time--to suit the range, pulled the string which released the trip. If
all went well the bomb sailed over towards the Turk. Sometimes, however,
the trip would fail, or the rubbers foul. Then the bomb would make a
very short flight and might not even clear the home trench. In
consequence of these possibilities, the local area was never overcrowded
with inquisitive people and the experts became expert also at taking
cover.
[Illustration: AT THE APEX.
Using the Periscope Rifle.
_Photo. lent by Mrs. H. Simm._]
[Illustration: "THE FARM."
Taken from No. 4 Post at the Apex.
_Photo. lent by Mrs. H. Simm._]
In some parts of the line bombing was carried on from "bombing bays."
These bays were small earthworks constructed, usually, in advance but
connected with the main trench. Two men were placed in occupation of
each. One man was an experienced thrower and the other, as the Turk had
the unpleasant habit of retaliating, held a half-filled sandbag which he
dropped upon any enemy bomb which happened to land within the bay. With
low power grenades this method was effective but failed when applied to
such as were invented by Mills.
Two other types of weapons may be mentioned here. One used by us and the
other by the enemy. The first was a Japanese mortar which fired a 50 lb.
bomb having a good range and a large bursting charge. This had been used
by our ally during the Russo-Japanese War. The Battalion made its
acquaintance when the move to Russell's Top took place, in December, but
unfortunately the ammunition was too scarce to permit of any lasting
benefit being derived, although the few rounds that were fired proved
their destructive effect on the opposing trenches. The Turkish weapon
was known as the "broomstick bomb" and was also propelled from a mortar.
It consisted of a 4-inch cartridge case filled with a high explosive and
also containing metal such as boiler punchings, nails, etc. (in one case
gramophone needles were discovered), and provided with a percussion cap.
It was fitted to a stick about two inches thick and five feet long. Its
descent into our lines or support area was almost vertical--hence no
cover then available was proof against it. Its effect was very
destructive and its toll of life heavy. A sentry usually watched for and
gave warning of the approach of one of these missiles, and the scene
which followed his stentorian "Look out!" was somewhat animated.
Hairbreadth escapes from destruction were numerous. Two of these will
bear relation.
A batman, preparing an evening meal, was interrupted by the arrival of a
bomb which had glanced off some obstacle and now came to a halt across
the cooking fire. The batman hurriedly evacuated his position but,
fortunately, the uninvited guest did not explode and was carefully
removed out of harm's way by the adjutant. The very next morning a
second missile came to rest on the waterproof sheet furnishing cover for
this same man. This was more than he could bear--"it was over the
odds"--and he complained. Some difficulty was experienced in restoring
to him the correct viewpoint in regard to such occurrences.
The second incident was an experience of Lieut. G. A. F. Smith, who,
whilst sitting in a newly constructed "safe" dugout, and enjoying a
meal, was startled by a sudden clatter and almost blinded by an upheaval
of earth and dust. Clearing his eyes he discovered the ruined remains of
his repast, and, lying between his legs, an unexploded broomstick bomb
that had glanced off the opposite wall of the communication trench and
slid into the excavation. Somebody in the Battalion tacked a story on
to this occurrence. It was said that this officer's batman, having
observed the arrival of the bomb, approached the dugout and, peering
cautiously into it, was greeted with "Hallo! What shall I do with this?"
His reply was: "If you will wait until I get around the corner, you can
do as you ---- well like with it."
FOOTNOTES:
[G] Burnu = cape.
[H] Tepe = hill.
[I] Bair = spur.
[J] Dere.--Valley with stream.
[K] Portion of Sari Bair group of hills.
[L] The "Ivernia" on the 1st January, 1917, when in the Mediterranean,
was torpedoed and sunk by an enemy submarine; 153 lives were lost. Dr.
Riley, Archbishop of Perth, was a passenger.
[M] Afterwards Major P. Black, D.S.O., D.C.M., C. de G. Killed at
Bullecourt, 11th April, 1917.