Also as regards ammunition—you must not waste it by firing a_The Anzac Book

indiscriminately at no target. The time will come when we shall find

the enemy in well entrenched positions from which we shall have to

turn them out, when all our ammunition will be required; and remember,

Concealment whenever possible,

Covering fire always,

Control of fire and control of your men,

Communications never to be neglected.

W. R. BIRDWOOD.

II. THE BATTLES OF AUGUST

SPECIAL ORDER

BY GENERAL SIR IAN HAMILTON, G.C.B., D.S.O., A.D.C.

Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS,

Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

_September 7, 1915._

The Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, desires

formally to record the fine feat of arms achieved by the troops under

the command of Lieutenant-General Sir W. R. Birdwood during the

battle of Sari Bair.

The fervent desire of all ranks to close with the enemy, the

impetuosity of their onset and the steadfast valour with which they

maintained the long struggle, these will surely make appeal to their

fellow-countrymen all over the world.

The gallant capture of the almost impregnable Lone Pine trenches

by the Australian Division, and the equally gallant defence of the

position against repeated counter-attacks are exploits which will

live in history. The determined assaults carried out from other parts

of the Australian Division’s line were also of inestimable service to

the whole force, preventing as they did the movement of large bodies

of reinforcements to the northern flank.

The troops under the command of Major-General Sir A. J. Godley, and

particularly the New Zealand and Australian Division, were called

upon to carry out one of the most difficult military operations that

has ever been attempted—a night march and assault by several columns

in intricate mountainous country, strongly entrenched, and held by

a numerous and determined enemy. Their brilliant conduct during

this operation and the success they achieved have won for them a

reputation as soldiers of whom any country must be proud.

To the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, therefore, and to those

who were associated with that famous Corps in the battle of Sari

Bair—the Maoris, Sikhs, Gurkhas, and the new troops of the 10th and

13th Divisions from the Old Country—Sir Ian Hamilton tenders his

appreciation of their efforts, his admiration of their gallantry,

and his thanks for their achievements. It is an honour to command a

force which numbers such men as these in its ranks, and it is the

Commander-in-Chief’s high privilege to acknowledge that honour.

W. P. BRAITHWAITE,

Major-General,

Chief of the General Staff.

III. ARRIVAL OF 2nd AUSTRALIAN DIVISION, AND SINKING OF THE

_SOUTHLAND_

SPECIAL ARMY CORPS ORDER

ARMY CORPS HEADQUARTERS,

_September 7, 1915_.

In welcoming the 2nd Australian Division to join the Australian and

New Zealand Army Corps, the General Officer Commanding, on behalf of

all their comrades now serving on the Peninsula, wishes to convey to

them our general feeling of admiration for the gallant behaviour of

all ranks on board the transport _Southland_, when that vessel was

torpedoed on the 2nd inst.

All the troops of the Empire now serving with the Army Corps have

heard with pride of the courage and discipline shown at a moment when

the nerves of the bravest were liable to be so highly tried. Not only

was there not the slightest confusion on the part of the troops, who

quietly fell in prepared to meet whatever fate might be in store for

them, but later on when there was a prospect of the _Southland_ being

able to make her way under her own steam, and volunteer stokers were

called for, men at once came forward for this duty and successfully

helped in getting the _Southland_ into Mudros.

The 2nd Australian Division knows well the high reputation it has

to live up to, to carry on the brave deeds done by those who have

been here earlier in the campaign, but with men like those on the

_Southland_ we are fully assured that our new comrades are going to

prove themselves equal in all ways to the old hands who have fought

so well.

C. M. WAGSTAFF, Major,

for Brigadier-General, General

Staff,

Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.

IV. LORD KITCHENER’S MESSAGE

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS

SPECIAL ARMY CORPS ORDER,

_November 25, 1915_.

Lord Kitchener has desired me to convey to the Australian and New

Zealand Army Corps, a message with which he was specially entrusted

by the King to bring to our Army Corps.

His Majesty commanded Lord Kitchener to express his high appreciation

of the gallant and unflinching conduct of our men through

fighting which has been as hard as any yet seen during the war,

and His Majesty wishes to express his complete confidence in the

determination and fighting qualities of our men to assist in carrying

this war to an entirely successful termination.

Lord Kitchener has ordered me to express to all the very great

pleasure it gave him to have the opportunity, which he considers

a privilege, of visiting “ANZAC” to see for himself some of the

wonderfully good work which has been done by the officers and men of

our Army Corps, as it was not until he had himself seen the positions

we had captured and held, that he was able fully to realise the

magnitude of the work which has been accomplished. Lord Kitchener

much regretted that time did not permit of his seeing the whole

Corps, but he was very pleased to see a considerable proportion

of officers and men, and to find all in such good heart, and so

confidently imbued with that grand spirit, which has carried them

through all their trials and many dangerous feats of arms, a spirit

which he is quite confident they will maintain to the end, until they

have taken their full share in completely overthrowing our enemies.

Boys! We may all well be proud to receive such messages, and it is up

to all of us to live up to them and prove their truth.

W. R. BIRDWOOD.

V. GENERAL BIRDWOOD RELINQUISHES COMMAND OF A. & N. Z. ARMY CORPS

SPECIAL ARMY CORPS ORDERS.

AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND ARMY CORPS,

_December 1, 1915_.

BOYS,—I cannot tell you how really sorry I am to be leaving “Anzac,”

as I have to do on shifting over to Army Headquarters.

I have not, however, any intention of saying “Good-bye” to anyone,

for I trust it is by no means “Good-bye,” as I still hope and intend

to see as much of all my old friends in the Army Corps as I possibly

can do.

Nor am I going to express my thanks to officers and men, even if I

could find words to do so. I feel it would only be presumption on my

part, for it is for the British Empire to do that; and I well know it

will do so.

My one wish is to be able to finish this war alongside of all my old

comrades of “Anzac”; having begun it together close on a year ago now

in Egypt, I sincerely trust that many of us may be spared to see it

through together, when the time comes to make an end of our German

enemies, though that day may be yet far distant.

W. R. BIRDWOOD, Lieutenant-General,

Commanding Australian and New Zealand

Army Corps.

VI. THE EVACUATION OF ANZAC

SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY

GENERAL HEADQUARTERS,

_December 21, 1915_.

The Commander-in-Chief desires to express to all ranks in the

Dardanelles Army his unreserved appreciation of the way in which

the recent operations, ending in the evacuation of the “Anzac” and

“Suvla” positions, have been carried to an issue successful beyond

his hopes. The arrangements made for withdrawal, and for keeping the

enemy in ignorance of the operation which was taking place, could

not have been improved. The General Officer Commanding Dardanelles

Army, and the General Officers Commanding the Australian and New

Zealand and 9th Army Corps, may pride themselves on an achievement

without parallel in the annals of war. The Army and Corps Staffs,

Divisional and subordinate Commanders and their Staffs, and the

Naval and Military Beach Staffs, proved themselves more than equal

to the most difficult task which could have been thrown upon them.

Regimental officers, non-commissioned officers and men carried out,

without a hitch, the most trying operation which soldiers can be

called upon to undertake—a withdrawal in the face of the enemy—in a

manner reflecting the highest credit on the discipline and soldierly

qualities of the troops.

It is no exaggeration to call this achievement one without parallel.

To disengage and to withdraw from a bold and active enemy is the most

difficult of all military operations; and in this case the withdrawal

was effected by surprise, with the opposing forces at close grips—in

many cases within a few yards of each other. Such an operation, when

succeeded by a re-embarkation from an open beach, is one for which

military history contains no precedent.

During the past months the troops of Great Britain and Ireland,

Australia and New Zealand, Newfoundland and India fighting side by

side, have invariably proved their superiority over the enemy, have

contained the best fighting troops in the Ottoman Army in their

front, and have prevented the Germans from employing their Turkish

allies against us elsewhere.

No soldier relishes undertaking a withdrawal from before the enemy.

It is hard to leave behind the graves of good comrades, and to

relinquish positions so hardly won and so gallantly maintained as

those we have left. But all ranks in the Dardanelles Army will

realise that in this matter they were but carrying out the orders

of His Majesty’s Government, so that they might in due course be

more usefully employed in fighting elsewhere for their King, their

Country, and the Empire.

There is only one consideration—what is best for the furtherance of

the common cause. In that spirit the withdrawal was carried out, and

in that spirit the Australian and New Zealand and the 9th Army Corps

have proved, and will continue to prove, themselves second to none as

soldiers of the Empire.

A. LYNDEN BELL, Major-General,

Chief of the General Staff,

Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

[Illustration: SNIPING.—]

VII.

THE FOLLOWING TELEGRAMS ARE PUBLISHED FOR INFORMATION:

_December 20, 1915._

1. FROM HIS MAJESTY THE KING.

It gives me the greatest satisfaction to hear of the successful

evacuation of “Suvla” and “Anzac” without loss of troops or guns.

Please convey to General Birdwood and those under his command my

congratulations upon the able manner in which they have carried out

so difficult an operation.

GEORGE, R.I.

_December 21, 1915._

2. TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING.

I have communicated your Majesty’s gracious message to General

Birdwood and the Dardanelles Army. In their behalf and my own I beg

to give expression to the deep gratification felt by all ranks at

your Majesty’s encouraging words of congratulation. The troops are

only inspired by a desire to be employed again as soon as possible

wherever their services may be used to best advantage against your

Majesty’s enemies.

SIR CHARLES MONRO,

Commander-in-Chief,

Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.

_December 21, 1915._

3. FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR.

His Majesty’s Government received your news with the greatest

pleasure and wish immediately to express to you and all under

your command their high appreciation of the excellence of the

arrangements for the withdrawal from “Anzac” and “Suvla,” and

their warm admiration for the conduct of the troops in carrying

out the most difficult operation of war. They appreciate as fully

the effective help which Admiral Wemyss and the Navy as well as

General Birdwood and the Corps and other commanders afforded you.

The thanks of the Government for this fine achievement are due

to you and to all concerned, and I wish also to congratulate you

personally.

[Illustration: The End of the Story]

[Illustration: Lord Kitchener speaking to the men at Anzac

General Birdwood is standing beside him. The tents in the background

are a hospital]

[Illustration: General Birdwood showing Lord Kitchener the Turkish

position from Russell’s Top

_Official Photographs circulated on behalf of the Press Bureau and

supplied by the Central News_]

[Illustration: Very New Officer: “Well, my man, what’s the matter

with you?”

Australasian: “That —— —— over there hit me on —— shoulder —— with

his —— pick!”

V.N.O.: “I don’t quite get you.”

Aust.: “That fellah ovah theah struck me heah.”]

[Illustration: The “Terror” of the 5th.]

[Illustration: _By Maj. D. A. LANE, 12th Aust. Battn._]

[Illustration: _By G. W. HUTSON, R.E._]

[Illustration: _By F. P. HEWKLEY, 1st Aust. Div. Sig. Coy._]

[Illustration: _By A. H. BARDIN, 1st Aust. Div. Engrs._]

FOUR DESIGNS FOR “THE ANZAC MAGAZINE” COVER

[Illustration: FOR CONSTANTINOPLE

THESE SEVEN-LEAGUE TRENCH BOOTS OUGHT TO DO THE TRICK

C. LEYSHON-WHITE—15]

CORRESPONDENCE

DEAR MR. EDITOR,—Thinking that perhaps a little news about a hitherto

unheard of department of the army (i.e. a Field Ambulance) might

interest you, I have set down (having previously obtained the kind

permission of the great-grandchildren of the justly celebrated Mr.

Euclid, late of these parts, deceased) such axioms as will be of

use and guidance to those requiring to know the habits of a Field

Ambulance.

Ax. 1.—A Field Ambulance shall be an irregular conglomeration

of humanity and other animals, which shall never under any

circumstances conform to any fixed order or condition.

Ax. 2.—Whenever possible, the number of N.C.O.’s in a Field

Ambulance shall exceed the number of men by 50 per cent., in order

that the said N.C.O.’s may have a twenty-four hours’ rest when on

duty, supervising fatigues, etc. (This Axiom is taken from the

detailed account of Corps Orders made by William the Conqueror in

the year 1066.)

Ax. 3.—A Field Ambulance shall never under any circumstances move

off on the first instance, but all necessary fatigue for the moving

shall be fully indulged. Only under extreme circumstances may it

move on the second instance. (Vide AAZQP, Para. 14490053.)

Ax. 4.—All batmen in a Field Ambulance shall be equal to anything.

Ax. 5.—If at any time a Field Ambulance should be lost, the finder

will, provided he doesn’t require it for a war curio, immediately

place it in the most isolated place available, and forget it,

because several others are trying to do the same.

—Yours truly,

NOBBY,

Actg. D.A.L.C. & P.O.

TO ABDUL MUSTAFA MAHOMET, BIRD TRENCHES (OR NEIGHBOURING GREEN)

_From Holly Spur, Suicide Valley, Anzac.

Decem., 1915._

DEAR ABDUL,—I’m scribbling this letter in the trench with my back to

the wall, and I’ve heaps of good news that I’d better get down while

I think of it all. You’ve been so abnormally quiet—say, Abdul, has

something gone wrong? Not a charge or a sign of a riot, not for ever

and ever so long. They tell me you’re sick of campaigning, that you’d

aim in your kit if you could; that your courage and patience are

waning, and the prospects ain’t looking too good. Are you counting

your hopes of returning to that little home there in the wood, where

there’s peace, and a good fire burning, and the rations are plenty

and good?

It’s near Christmas, you know—that’s the reason we’ve buried our

growls for a while; for you couldn’t be sad in the season when

everyone’s wearing a smile. But, of course, I forgot you’re not

sharing the joy that we Christians know, and I guess you’re not

giving or caring a damn for the whole bally show.

I’ll chance that it gives you the “willies”—if you’ve heard, it won’t

hurt to repeat—that the cards and the boys’ Christmas billies[26] are

here, and no kid, they’re a treat. Plum duff for the boys who’ve been

fighting on the biscuit and beef (army store); I tell you we don’t

need inviting to back in our carts for some more. Gee, the chocolate

and cake are delicious, and there’s sweets and smokes in my pail, and

a card with the sender’s best wishes—I’m sending my thanks per this

mail. Folks who reckon that loving is living, whose hearts are as big

as their land, whose happiness centres in giving—that’s _our_ folks

and _their_ old-fashioned stand.

Well, Abdul, I’ll finish this trifle, for my thoughts are beginning

to drift, and the sergeant has passed me my rifle, and it’s time I

took over my shift. I’m concluding this note with a moral—take a

tip from a bloke in the know—pick your men when you’re picking a

quarrel.—Yours truly,

AUSTRALIA JOE.

P.S.—By the way, they’ve been stating that you’re scared to come out

any more; don’t forget there’s a welcome here waiting, a warm one,

you bet; au revoir.

Corpl. A. V. MCCANN,

“C” Squadron,

4th A.L.H. Regt.

FOOTNOTES:

[26] The “billy” is a tin can something like what is known in England

as a milk can, in which the Australian of the bush boils his water

and makes his tea. A billy packed with various good things was being

sent to each Australian soldier for Christmas.

ANZAC FASHIONS. SUMMER

By Bom^{_de_} A. H. SCOTT 4^{TH} BATTERY. F.A.

[Illustration:

1. Australian sharpshooter disguised as a bush deceives a bird

2. First signs of summer: discarded puttees. Infantryman down from the

firing line

3. Water-carrying in hot weather is hard work and requires few clothes

4. Sun-flaps on caps and shorts had quite a good run]

[Illustration:

5. Officer (incog.) armed with stick and bullet-pierced periscope.

(No periscope complete without bullet holes testifying to

hair-breadth escapes)

6. Gas helmets will never be as popular as home-made shorts

7. The English-made slacks (for the “Australian giants”) were much

too slack except under the armpits

8. Slacks and a roll of blankets give a very Australian appearance]

ANZAC FASHIONS. WINTER

By Bdr. A. H. Scott. 4^{th} Battery

[Illustration: An all-Australian outfit is all right for keeping out

the cold (if not the wet)

But if you have a figure and want to cut a dash on the Anzac Beach

get a “British warm”]

[Illustration: A mackintosh cape and gum knee-boots are grand for wet

weather

But when old Zero pays you a visit put ’em all on]

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

_By our Inquiry Office Orderly, Pte. T. COLLES, 3rd L.H.F.A._

SNIDGER.—We quite agree with you that this is a soldiers’ journal

rather than a Sunday School prize book. Nevertheless, the

chaplain-editor feels we must decline the limerick series you

submitted us. Our head printer is a married man with a growing

family, and sternly refuses to handle your matter. So that settles it.

ANXIOUS.—Your cold feet complaint must not necessarily be a chronic

affliction. Many chaps have been permanently cured by a little

vigorous pedestrian exercise: such as vaulting the parapet and

bogging into a dinkum bayonet charge. So cheer up! It will go away of

its own accord once you get “warmed up to it.”

COMIC-CUTS.—Sorry all the generals you have so far seen do not come

up to your humorous expectations. When you _do_ meet the general of

whom you approve, we should advise you just to drop him a line and

let him know. It will warm the poor old fellow up.

HUNGRY ALWAYS.—Yes, soft—or light—diet is absolutely necessary in

treatment for dysentery or gastritis. If you think you know better

than the doctor, experiment with green quinces and lemonade.... Let’s

know how you get on.

CHAPLAIN OF THE —TH.—Dear kind-hearted old chap! Haven’t you quite

enough to do here without worrying your head over the progress of

war-relief funds in Australia? Anyhow, it may please you to know

that it is proposed to impose a special fine for every time the

word “blanky” is used by men or officers; the proceeds to go to

the various funds. So you need have no fear of the said funds not

reaching the million £ mark in quite a short time now.

SEEDEE BOT.—You can’t expect us to diagnose your complaint if you

don’t make your symptoms clear. But if you feel that a torchlight

procession is going on in your interior, you have probably exposed

yourself too suddenly to an attack of Cambridge sausages and tinned

peaches. Try a change of diet, say, whisky and Schweppes with steak

and kidney pudding.

UNDIGNIFIED.—We sympathise with you deeply in your suffering from the

effects of a shrapnel pellet. Naturally, every man on returning to

his country would be proud to display to his admiring relatives and

friends those honourable scars received on active service. You had

bad luck, but at the same time you should not have tried the ostrich

act when the shell burst.

PARCEL POST.—You say you wouldn’t mind an occasional case of

eat-and-drinkables in the parcel as well as the socks and shirts and

box of liquorice powders. They will all be useful, but anyway, think

of your poor flurried aunts and sisters at home, fighting their way

with knitting-needles—wild-eyed and tousle-haired—through a deadly

maze of skein-wool entanglements! It’s horrible! We’re better off

where _we_ are.

ADJUTANT.—Yes, it’s a pity that one of your men—such a seasoned

veteran and a capable and obedient soldier, too—should have such

kleptomaniacal tendencies. But we wouldn’t advise you to have him

sent back. Make him your batman, instead.... Why, the man was born

for the position!

FUZZY.—Your suggestions will be handed on to the proper quarters.

The only objection to the suggested cinema show at Reserve Gully

might be that the boys in the firing trenches would make it too hot

“sneakin’ off to the pitchers” every night.... Afraid you’ve no hope

of seeing a pub built over the road, opposite William’s Pier.... Yes,

it’s possible that our motor wagons might run penny section moonlight

trips to Salt Lake and back to Anzac. But we fear that there is no

hope of a _palais-de-danse_ there.

[Illustration: Decoration]

[Illustration: EACH ONE DOING HIS BIT

_Drawn by W. OTHO HEWETT_]

Also as regards ammunition—you must not waste it by firing away