On leaving the ship the commander's order was: "My boys, take those
trenches or don't come back." Six hours later we landed on the
Gallipoli Peninsula, and reached the trenches safely though under
heavy firing of the enemy. I was for twelve hours in the third line
of trenches, knee deep in mud and water. Our time there was spent in
sharpening our bayonets like razors.
At midnight we advanced to the first line trenches. All around us were
the dead and wounded of both sides. Four unsuccessful attempts were
made by the Turks to take our trenches, but each time they were beaten
back, with a heavy loss. Our side also suffered heavily. Before we
landed the British troops had lost 3,000 men in six attempts to take
the Turkish trenches. The enemy's fire had been so severe that the
transports could not land reinforcements without being sunk.
We navy men were told that the Turkish trenches must be taken at all
costs. They were only fifty yards in front of ours. At 10.15 A. M. our
rifles were loaded with fifteen rounds, the magazine safety catch was
put on and the respirators were adjusted over our faces. Not a shot was
to be fired in our charge.
Meanwhile our ships were firing on the enemy's trenches. At 10.25 the
order rang out, "Cold steel!" We fixed our bayonets. At 10.30 the
bugles sounded the charge. Fifty men fell while getting out; but in ten
minutes we took the Turkish trenches. Our losses were 250 killed and
200 wounded.
It is almost impossible to describe a bayonet charge. On the instant of
the order you spring out, jump or crawl from the trenches, with bayonet
fixed, and charge on the double. Sometimes you have to creep to make
an attack. You become like a raving maniac; your senses seem to leave
you. All around comrades are dropping, but you do not think of them.
Reaching the enemy's trench, a terrific hand-to-hand struggle takes
place. Strategy is the main point. Our bayonets were eighteen inches in
length, while those of the Turks were all lengths from 12 to 15 inches.
We wore the gas respirators in our charge, as our commander thought
that our appearance would frighten the enemy. It did. We looked like
black devils.
At 10.45 the Turkish trench was taken. After the victory our captain
made a brief address. Facing the dead and wounded with the tears
streaming from his eyes, he said:
"I am proud of my boys who fought so splendidly and did what seven
thousand soldiers failed to do in six attempts, losing three thousand.
You, a mere handful, one thousand strong, succeeded in the first
attempt. The army has much to thank the navy for."
The last was uttered loud enough to be heard by the soldiers in the
neighboring trenches. They were so sore about it that they would not
speak to us navy men for several days.