WOUNDED
The handling of wounded in the Dardanelles has been a difficult
proposition, which the nature of the country has not tended to lessen.
The injured men have to be taken off the shore by small boats and then
transferred to hospital ships.
These ships are obliged to lie off some distance clear of rifle-bullets
and shell-fire. Even then, several cases have occurred of men already
wounded receiving further injury through stray shots reaching the ships.
A patient was sitting on his cot preparatory to turning in, when a
bullet entered the open port and passing through two thicknesses of
his pyjamas, buried itself in the deck. A nursing sister standing
near at the time was relieved to see the man laughing and holding
out his coat for her to examine. These occasional missiles were not
fired intentionally at the hospital ships, but came over from trenches
running parallel to the shore.
In most cases the ships lay out a mile or more. The first batch of
wounded I saw came off after the landing at Suvla Bay. They arrived
alongside us in a ship's barge towed by a picket-boat. They had been
wounded during the night, and presented a sad spectacle, lying in the
boat in every conceivable attitude with bandages through which the
blood was soaking. Some of them were oblivious of everything, and wore
a pathetically dazed look. Others not so badly injured seemed mildly
interested in events around them, while the still lighter cases waved
to us and appeared quite cheerful. The lightly wounded soldier is
probably the happiest of all. He is out of the inferno of battle and is
fairly certain of return to health and strength.
Those wounded among the first parties landed on an enemy's coast are,
generally speaking, bound to undergo the greatest hardships. This
specially applies to the Dardanelles. At Suvla Bay the suffering caused
was added to by the shortage of water. The shore to which the wounded
were brought was entirely devoid of shade, and the blazing sand was
intensified by the heat of the sun. Operations on serious cases were
performed with the greatest difficulty, and the shallow water close
inshore made it impossible for the steam-cutters to bring their tows
of boats very near. The tows had, therefore, to be rowed to the beach
by three or four sailors; the wounded were placed in them and rowed off
again to the cutters.
An undertaking of this kind takes some considerable time when large
numbers of sufferers are continually arriving. Consequently the
dressing stations rapidly became congested, and it was some days before
matters could be reduced to smooth working.
As soon as sufficient material had arrived, pontoon piers were built to
allow the steam cutters to come right alongside.
The drinking-water difficulty was remedied to a large extent a day
or two after the landing. War vessels in the harbour using their
distilling plants were able to cope with the demand. Lighters, boats
with canvas tanks, and in fact anything that would hold water were
requisitioned.
These were towed as close inshore as the depth would allow, and
connected with the beach by pipes. Each lighter carried a portable
fire-engine for pumping purposes. This supply greatly alleviated the
sufferings of the wounded. A severely injured man may be deadened to a
sense of bodily pain, but thirst, which is scarcely ever absent, is the
hardest to bear.
The amount of sickness among the troops in the Dardanelles far exceeds
in proportion that of any other theatre of war. The reasons are not far
to seek: want of proper rest, lack of really good water, and, worst of
all, innumerable flies. This latter pest is the cause of much sickness,
and is a most difficult problem to deal with. One must also take into
account the intermittent shell-fire on the bases. This, while it tries
the strongest nerves, at the same time tends, through custom, to make
men regardless of danger.
A large number of hospital ships are naturally required to carry the
sick and wounded. As far as can possibly be arranged, one of them is
always lying off each base, so that immediately a ship is filled and
proceeds to her destination her place is taken by another.
The carrying capacity of each vessel varies, though the smaller
ones can accommodate even between two and three hundred; the mighty
_Aquitania_, however, takes as many as four thousand.
Most of the light cases are conveyed to the islands of Mudros and
Lemnos, while the serious ones are taken to England.
The most touching sights are the small cemeteries dotted about near
the shore. On each grave is a rough wooden cross, erected by loving
comrades, and bearing the name and regiment of the dead hero. There
seemed to me to be something infinitely sad at the thought of these
men, who had given their all, sleeping a last sleep so far from the
country they loved.
[Illustration:
CAPE TEKEH Clouds of Sand blowing Seawards A
A SS RIVER CLYDE HELLES ACHI BABA B
B ENTRANCE TO DARDANELLES ASIATIC SHORE C
C ENTRANCE TO DARDANELLES ASIATIC SHORE KUM KALI
THIS PANORAMA READS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
THUS:—A.A.—B.B.—C.C.]
[Illustration: SHELLS FALLING ON THE BASE CAMP AT HELLES.
These shells come from concealed guns on the slopes of Achi Baba, and
from the Asiatic batteries. While causing much hindrance to the work
on the beaches, at the same time the casualties are light, due to the
wonderful system of dug-outs, the men taking shelter immediately firing
begins.]
[Illustration: SHELLS FALLING ON YENI SHER VILLAGE]
[Illustration: OFF THE LEFT FLANK AT HELLES.
Achi Baba shows beyond the coast-line, and from this point of view is
disappointing when seen for the first time. To the right and on the
cliff is a brown patch extending from top to bottom, known as Gurka
bluff, while immediately to the left of this is a zigzag line of
trenches showing the northerly limit of our gain in this area.]
[Illustration: MONITORS SHELLING YENI SHER VILLAGE AND ASIATIC
BATTERIES.
The shell-bursts from these vessels on a still day were a wonderful
sight. The beautiful shapes of the dense masses of smoke resembled
cumulous clouds, hanging as they did for a long time before
dispersing.]
[Illustration: HELLES]
[Illustration: FRENCH FLAGSHIP _SUFFREN_ SHELLING ACHI BABA.
This vessel was often engaged in firing on the enemy's gun positions,
her salvoes of high explosive shells making a wonderful picture as they
burst.]
[Illustration: A KITE BALLOON]
[Illustration: FRENCH FLAGSHIP _SUFFREN'S_ 12-IN. SHELLS BURSTING ON
WESTERN SLOPES OF ACHI BABA.
This drawing was made from H.M.S. _Theseus_, with the aid of
field-glasses. It seemed impossible for anything to live as one watched
the tremendous explosions of these heavy shells.]
[Illustration: OFF CAPE TEKEH]
[Illustration:
BALLOON-SHIP _HECTOR_ WITH KITE BALLOON UP, "SPOTTING" OFF THE LEFT
FLANK.
The observers in the Balloon are able by their altitude to see the
Turkish gun emplacements and to correct by signal to the ship firing
the fall of her shot. These Balloons are very stable even in high
winds. Up to the present they have escaped any damage despite attempts
of every kind by the enemy.]
[Illustration: TRANSPORTS DISCHARGING TROOPS INTO MOTOR LIGHTERS. Suvla
Bay.]
[Illustration: LANDING AT "A" BEACH, AUGUST 7, 5.30 A.M.
A number of fleet boarding steamers took the troops close inshore,
whence under the covering fire of warships they were conveyed in motor
lighters. Three of these lighters can be seen in the middle distance,
where they had grounded on a ridge during the night. Practically all
the troops were removed to shore by ships' boats before daylight. The
lighters then came under a heavy shell-fire, the enemy doubtless under
the impression that they still contained men.]
[Illustration: TRAWLERS]
[Illustration: TROOPS LANDING AT "C" BEACH, AUGUST 7.
These troops were supporting the night-landing previously effected.
A number of casualties were caused by bombs dropped from a hostile
aeroplane and by Turkish shells.]
[Illustration: A TRANSPORT]
[Illustration: "C" BEACH, AUGUST 8.
This beach was extensively used for landing stores and ambulance
wagons. In the distance can be seen the Sari Bair range, which runs
down to the Australian position at Anzac.]
[Illustration: SUVLA POINT]
[Illustration: DRESSING STATION—"A" BEACH.
It was here that the largest number of wounded were brought immediately
after the landing. The drawing shows the station as it appeared about a
month afterwards.]
[Illustration: SHIP'S BOATS GOING OFF TO A HOSPITAL SHIP WITH WOUNDED.
The shallowness of the water close inshore made it no easy matter to
get the wounded away. Ship's boats were rowed close in, and the wounded
were taken in tow by picket-boats, whence they were towed off to the
hospital ships.]
[Illustration: Smoke drifts from shells]
[Illustration: H.M.S. _TALBOT_ IN SUVLA BAY SHELLING ENEMY RIDGES AT
DUSK.
The effect of this vessel's lyddite bursting was very fine, an
interesting contrast to this being the flash of her guns which showed a
pale lemon colour in the approaching dusk.]
[Illustration: OFF ANZAC]
[Illustration: SALT LAKE AND CHOCOLATE HILL.
This lake, dry in summer, is hard clear sand, dazzlingly white in
sunlight. It was over this that the troops advanced to the attack on
Chocolate Hill, on August 7. In the distance is Sari Bair, the highest
point of the range, running down to Anzac on the right.]
[Illustration: A Tug attempting to tow off a lighter at Suvla while
under fire]
[Illustration: LALLA BABA.
This position was continually under fire from shrapnel and high
explosive shells. These frequently burst among the stores and material
on the beach at the foot. Practically no part of the coast held by us
is free from enemy shell-fire.]
[Illustration: LOOKING TOWARDS THE VILLAGE OF ANAFARTA.
Lalla Baba is to the left, Salt Lake behind it, a small portion of
the latter just on its right. Chocolate Hill is the small hill in
the middle distance. Immediately to its right are the "W" hills. The
village of Anafarta can be seen on the distant ridge in the right
centre of the drawing.]
[Illustration: LALLA BABA from Suvla Bay]
[Illustration: H.M.S. _SARNIA_ LANDING TROOPS IN SUVLA BAY.
This drawing was made some days after the actual landing. This ship is
one of the vessels which took part in the operations at daybreak on
August 7.]
[Illustration: High Explosive Shell bursting.]
[Illustration: SALT LAKE FROM CHOCOLATE HILL.
This sketch, made from a dug-out on Chocolate Hill, shows the position
when looking back over the dried-up Salt Lake. At the foot of the hill
can be seen the partially burnt-up shrub, while the markings on the
lake are caused by ambulance-wagon tracks and other traffic. To the
left is Lalla Baba with Suvla Bay in the centre, and in the extreme
distance the island of Samothrace.]
[Illustration: "Hector" with Kite Balloon up]
[Illustration: TRANSPORTS UNDER SHELL-FIRE—SUVLA BAY.
The transports and store-ships frequently came under fire from the
Turkish guns. The fact that few casualties were occasioned shows the
enemy's gunnery not to have been very accurate.]
[Illustration: GABA TEPE]
[Illustration: DRESSING STATION—"A" BEACH
The Welsh casualty clearing station.]
[Illustration: Balloon nearly down]
[Illustration: SUPPORTING SHIPS AT THE SUVLA LANDING.
These war-vessels were used to cover the advancing troops, or to shell
any bodies of Turks which could be seen.]
[Illustration: ANZAC.
This sketch was made to the south'ard, and shows the dug-outs and some
of the roads made since the occupation. The highest point is Sari
Bair.]
[Illustration: THE ANZAC WATER BOAT, UNDER SHELL FIRE]
[Illustration: ANZAC.
This is the position at which the Australians and New Zealanders made
their magnificent landing in the dawn on April 25. The drawing gives
some idea of the terrible nature of the coast stormed by these gallant
troops.]
[Illustration: TYPES OF TRANSPORTS]
[Illustration: MOTOR LIGHTERS.
These lighters have been extensively used in landing troops from the
transports. They have proved invaluable, being capable of taking as
many as 500 men at one time.]
[Illustration: GENERAL SIR IAN HAMILTON'S HEADQUARTERS.]
[Illustration: H.M.S. 'TRIAD']
[Illustration: SEAPLANE BASE.
A general view of the Seaplane base camp from a hill close by. On
the left of the sand ridge is a salt-water lagoon, while in the far
distance is the Gallipoli peninsula.]
[Illustration: ENTRANCE TO KEPHALO]
[Illustration: SEAPLANES AT KEPHALO.
The seaplanes in the Dardanelles have done much excellent work, and
are extensively used in observing for the ships engaged in bombarding
Turkish gun positions.]
[Illustration: Ship's cutter under sail]
[Illustration: H.M.S. _EXMOUTH_ IN KEPHALO HARBOUR.]
[Illustration: French Cruiser Jean D'arc]
[Illustration: SUBMARINE E11 AT KEPHALO.
The vessel commanded by Commander Nasmith, V.C., which penetrated
the Narrows and arrived off Constantinople, causing the greatest
consternation there by sinking several vessels off the city and one
actually alongside the quay.]
[Illustration: A DESTROYER.]
[Illustration: H.M.S. _BEN-MY-CHREE_ AT KEPHALO.
A seaplane carrier.]
[Illustration: A SEAPLANE CARRIER.]
[Illustration: HOSPITAL SHIPS AT KEPHALO.
The less serious cases among the wounded were brought from the mainland
by hospital carriers and landed at rest camps in the island.]
[Illustration: GREEK TRADERS]
[Illustration: FRENCH FLAGSHIP _SUFFREN_.
Carrying the flag of the Contre Amiral Guepratte. This is the vessel
shells from which are shown in a previous drawing.]
[Illustration: LORD TREDEGAR'S HOSPITAL YACHT "LIBERTY"]
[Illustration: HOSPITAL SHIP _AQUITANIA_.
The enormous bulk of the _Aquitania_ was an outstanding feature in the
harbour. The smaller hospital ship alongside is handing over serious
cases to be sent back to England.]
[Illustration: H.M.S. 'Lord Nelson']
[Illustration: SUBMARINE E2 RETURNING FROM THE SEA OF MARMORA.
Submarines always receive a great ovation from vessels of every
nationality in harbour on their return from raids in the Sea of
Marmora.]
[Illustration: MUDROS HARBOUR.
In the centre of the drawing is H.M.S. _Glory_. To the left are some of
the French ships; while the Russian cruiser _Askold_ can be seen on the
extreme right.]
[Illustration: The "Majestic's" fore foot still showing above water off
Helles]
[Illustration: HOSPITAL SHIP _AQUITANIA_ AT MUDROS.
Some idea can be gained of the size of this vessel by the collier of
8000 tons lying alongside. The _Aquitania_ has a carrying capacity of
upwards of 4000 wounded.]
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Richard Clay & Sons, Limited.
BRUNSWICK ST., STAMFORD ST., S.E.,
AND BUNGAY, SUFFOLK.
* * * * *
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES
Minor punctuation and printer errors repaired.
Italic text is denoted by _underscores_