GEORGE STEPHEN.

89TH FIELD AMBULANCE, R.A.M.C.,

GALLIPOLI, _24th May, 1915_.

(The following is taken from my diary and dated August 3, 1916, just

after we had landed in the Ypres salient to which the remains of our

Division went after being wiped out in the great Somme fight the

previous month:--

"I have to-day received a copy of the Aberdeen 'Free Press,' dated

July 28, where there is an article on Gallipoli by one of our

transport men, G. Burnett, who is now a lieutenant in the Scottish

Horse. It runs: 'It is scarcely fair to single out officers and men

who did gallant service that first week, but I feel that I ought to

mention the names of Lieutenant George Davidson, and Private Gavin

Greig. Lieutenant (now Captain) Davidson gained the D.S.O. while Greig

was promoted sergeant shortly afterwards. We were told that Lieutenant

Davidson led a bayonet charge, but he certainly did go into

Sedd-el-Bahr, revolver in hand, to look for curios when there was yet

great danger from snipers. And he used to go up towards the Turkish

trenches, gathering flowers which he would show us on his return.

Every man of us would have followed him anywhere. I recollect going

out to help the bearers to take in some wounded, when the party of

which I formed a member fell in with Lieutenant Davidson. "Oh," he

said, "would you men like to look for wounded on the hill-side?"

"Yes," we answered. "Well, follow me," and we did until an officer

forbade us to go any further.'"

The D.S.O. never materialized. I am assured a Cairo paper announced

that it did, and I was often congratulated on the honour. But, as

Artemus Ward would say, "Please, Mr. Printer, put a few asterisks

here".)

_April 28th._--Yesterday was spent dodging shells, with a short

advance in the evening, and I had not time to write up my diary. At

the present moment I am out reconnoitring alone, my post being the top

of the high cliff west of our landing place, where the snipers gave us

so much trouble, and I sit on the slope of the two gun battery which

has its big Krupp guns dismantled, the result of the naval battering a

few weeks ago.

A great advance on Krithia has begun, the various combatant units

having already moved off, or are busily preparing. Those already over

the ridges near the south point of the peninsula are having the

attentions of the Krithia guns, a constant stream of shells coming

from there. Many are also landing about our beach where the enemy

knows large bodies of troops are still landing. All our sea monsters

are busy off the whole point of Gallipoli, so far up the Dardanelles,

and round the west coast. The air vibrates, and the roaring echoes all

round never cease. And over all is a brilliant, scorching sun, the air

otherwise a dead calm, and not a ripple on the Aegean. In spite of

this calm a terrific day is in progress for the Turk and us, but we

hope to make a great advance before night towards the capture of the

forts at the Narrows. All round where I sit the ground is ploughed up

with great holes, some beside this battery the largest of any, big

enough to completely hide a horse and cart. Pieces of shell of several

hundredweight lie about. The precision of our gunfire has to be seen

otherwise one could not believe how accurately they can hit a small

object miles off. The very birds have got accustomed to the din, and

on the face of the rocks where I sit is a pair of exquisite

birds--probably jays--flitting about as though nothing unusual was

going on. The variety of birds is not great, but all are new to me and

have interested me greatly, so also have the flowers, which are very

fine. I was specially taken with a big light purple rock rose, nearly

three inches across, and in great abundance.

From this place of vantage I have watched our beach for some time, but

as our services are not likely to be much needed here I must return to

our Ambulance which lies to the east of the rock, and we must follow

our Brigade (86) shortly.... Back and seated here again. The van of

the Munsters arrived at this spot before I left, and dodged and ducked

at every shell. On Sunday and Monday they had 286 casualties,

including most of their officers. They still stream past just behind

me, with the Lancs. and others. The Lancs. had suffered very badly at

W. Beach, while the Dublins lost 550, with twenty officers out of

twenty-three. Four Dublin officers sat at my table on the

"Ausonia"--two are dead, the other two wounded.

_April 29th._--I had no time to finish my account of the day's doings

yesterday. It was too soon for our Ambulance to go out so I spent part

of the forenoon at the General's Observation Hill with General Reeks,

who was afterwards joined by General Hunter-Weston. By way of excuse

for being there I was waiting to see how our attack on the Turks was

getting on to see when I could get off with my bearers. The A.D.M.S.

Colonel Yarr, was also present. By 5 a.m. the attack had stretched

right across the peninsula, the French on our extreme right, next the

Hants and Lancs., with Munsters and Dublins on the left. A furious

cannonade went on for many hours, we advancing slowly till we were

near the foot of Achi Baba, when the Hants ran short of ammunition and

had to retreat, the French of course retiring also. Things were really

looking bad for a time, and rumours of defeat were soon afloat.

Ammunition at last coming up, we could get on, but during the retreat

which had to be carried out over an open piece of ground, the want of

shelter was the cause of very heavy casualties.

By 1 p.m. wounded began to pour past our camp from the 88th Brigade,

and, although it was not our Brigade, I went up to their front with

all the bearers, Morris remaining behind. We were able to do a lot of

work, collecting the wounded beside a water supply, nearly two miles

from where we started. After a time I left the men where they had

plenty of work, and went forward by myself for some distance, past the

"Five Towers," meeting scores of walking cases and assisting where I

could. Shells, especially from the Asiatic side, were numerous, three

big ones bursting quite near me. After a time I ordered the men to

load their stretchers and had some trouble with a General who insisted

on our remaining, but about this time we were to go out to our own

Brigade, and I marched them off all fully loaded. Things were not

looking too well and the General wished to get the wounded collected

as quickly as possible. But we had to go, we had been ordered to a

point further to the left "about 4 o'clock".

The A.D.M.S. had seen Morris and suggested that I should not go out

again, so I remained behind and formed a Divisional Collecting Station

for all cases that passed the lighthouse. Morris now went out with his

men, mine remaining to assist me. We soon had several hundreds through

our hands, largely stretcher cases which we arranged in rows in front

of the ruins of the lighthouse, till we had more than we could do

with, and soon had to forward most of our cases to W. Beach. At

midnight we still retained about thirty-five cases, and all had to be

nursed and protected from the bitterly cold wind and rain as best we

could. The men willingly parted with their own coats and ground

sheets, and some even their tunics. We all spent a most miserable

night, and I never all my life felt the cold so acutely. But by

morning, in spite of this, most of the wounded had recovered from the

initial shock and were much brighter, and we had them forwarded to the

88th H.Q.

The chief reason for our not retaining over night a much larger number

was that most hopeless accounts of the battle were being received from

the wounded, that all our line was in retreat and that before morning

we would be forced back to the sea, if not to our boats. I called for

volunteers, at the suggestion of Major Bell, to go out and assist, and

a number went off at once with their stretchers and did yeoman

service, some not returning till 3 a.m. The Turks had been mutilating

the wounded--at least so it was said--and we were anxious none should

again fall into their hands.

Through the night firing was heard a very short distance off, but this

was only from a few snipers who had somehow got through our lines.

By daylight the weather got warmer, and except for naval firing the

29th was a day of rest. Whyte had been detached from the

stretcher-bearers before the landing and was in the tent-subdivision

that landed at W. Beach. He wished to have a little more excitement

and he and I exchanged places, I now joining Thomson at W. Beach.

Thomson, Whyte, and their nineteen men had done much work at the

landing and had a very hot time. After four days and nights of hard

work, although I could not say I was tired, I felt that a rest might

be advisable, but the thought of leaving the bearers, even for a day

or two, was depressing.

_April 30th._--A slack day in a way, although I have been on my feet

since early morning. A great number of shells have landed near our

camp at W. Beach at various times to-day, coming from Krithia or Achi

Baba. It is strange how many shells may land in the midst of closely

packed men and horses and little or no damage be done--but there are

exceptions.

In the afternoon a hostile aeroplane flew over us--not the first

time--which dropped three bombs at an anchored balloon we have

floating just off the coast. It missed and received a fierce cannonade

from a number of warships but escaped, apparently untouched, and was

able to report to the Turks that our landing places would make a

splendid target, and the firing, which had been fitful before, now

became continuous for a time. One man only was hit. About 12 yards

from the opening of my dugout one plunged into the ground with a

terrific crash. Thomson and I reconnoitred for a mile or so to the

north to view a spot to which we had been ordered to shift our camp,

probably to-morrow.

Last night, not being altogether in the open, I expected a comfortable

night, but it was intensely cold, as the nights here always are, the

very hot days making the cold noticeable. By day the sun is always

scorching hot, and I am absolutely nut-brown and my nose painfully

burned.

On all sides I still hear of fresh casualties. The battalions I have

been connected with have been nearly wiped out--the Munsters and half

the Dublins at V. Beach, the Lancs. and the other half of the Dublins

at W. Beach, and the Royals at X. Beach. Our total casualties are put

at over 4000. We must have reinforcements before we can do much more,

and within the next two days 20,000 are expected from Egypt.

Last night when some one shot a dog at Sedd-el-Bahr the French thought

the Turks were on them and they opened fire on their own men, several

being killed and wounded.

_May 1st._--More or less idle all day, all resting before the proposed

attack on Achi Baba. In the afternoon we had a visit from an enemy

aeroplane again, which dropped a bomb 40 yards from my "funk hole,"

and 4 yards from what had been taken for a pile of ammunition boxes

but was really provisions--only damage, a big hole and a vile smell.

_May 2nd._--Very fierce fighting all last night and the whole of

to-day on the south slopes and ridges of Achi Baba, the Turks first

charging and repulsing the French, Munsters, and Lancs. The firing

from the sea, the French 75's and our 60-pounders was incessant,

especially during the night. The Turks were finally driven back, but

Krithia and the hills are still in their hands. I spent most of the

night watching the progress of events, while the bearers, to whom I am

unfortunately not attached to-day, were out at 1 a.m. Our casualties

are not excessive considering the nature of the fight, while the Turks

are said to have lost thousands from our artillery fire. Getting

impatient at being out of it I succeeded in getting eight of the

tent-subdivision out as bearers at 1 p.m. and I visited a good deal of

the battlefield, as far as our reserve, where I found the Indians

waiting for night duty and a likely attack from the Turks, or, as is

half expected, we may offer a vigorous offensive.

Yesterday V. and W. Beaches had a hot attack by shell fire from the

Asiatic, Krithia, and Achi Baba guns, about fifty shells landing in W.

where our Ambulance has now formed its base. The damage done was

slight. Two shells in quick succession exploded exactly over the heads

of Thomson and myself when we were crossing the beach, both times

something hitting me about the shoulders. These shrapnel shells are

doing little harm, I had likely been hit by pieces of the material (a

resin) in which the bullets are embedded. The smell was the worst of

them.

Most of our transport came ashore to-day for the first time, and we

are now eager to have our mails which are on board the "Marquette,"

but I doubt if anyone will take the trouble to send them over to us.

At 8 p.m. Thomson, myself, and fifty-six bearers set off to bring in

wounded from a point 3 miles north of our Beach, and very nearly in a

line with the Turkish and our firing lines. It was moderately dark

when we started, but such a large body of men might have been visible

to the enemy at some distance, and we spread out into a long line. All

went well, but at several points to which we were directed as our

destination we were always told the wounded were further on, and we

began to think we were never to find them. We were getting very near

the Turks' lines, and Thomson and I had various deliberations about

the advisability of going further, but I was always determined to go

on. At last we got a guide, but his idea of the whereabouts of the

wounded was most hazy; all he knew was that they were collected in a

nullah somewhere not far off. We came on a nullah at last and walked

along its high steep banks, calling if anyone was at the bottom, in a

voice not too loud owing to our proximity to the Turks. Just as we

found them the fighting on our immediate right became very violent,

the artillery and rifle fire being a perfect roar. Star shells were

thrown over us, and we hid in the nullah while we were loading the

stretchers and raising them to the top of the bank. Each stretcher

squad made off at its hardest as soon as its patient was passed up.

Thomson and I saw them all off, then had to cross an open piece of

ground where three bullets were fired among our feet evidently by a

sniper who was no distance away. This made us hurry still more, then

the nullah had to be crossed to the south side. I stood in the middle

of it, half-way to the knees in water and assisted ten stretchers

across. Things all the time got hotter and hotter, the various

batteries all belching forth at their hardest, star shells and rockets

got still more numerous, and a searchlight from the Dardanelles side

of Achi Baba swept the whole valley as far as our camp on W. Beach. It

was a terrifying night and I was very happy to get all the men landed

in camp at 10.15 safe and sound. Most of them enjoyed the little bit

of sport, but Thomson overheard one of them remarking that although

Lieut. Davidson didn't seem to know what fear was he had no business

to bring them there. The bearers were under me and I was responsible,

and I admit the charge was just; we had gone too far at such a time.

_May 3rd._--Only occasional firing to-day. I went out with Kellas and

Agassiz to show them the way to a point fixed on as a dressing

station. After much wandering about admiring the flora of Gallipoli

with Kellas we chose a spot which is unfortunately near one of our

batteries. An officer there told us they intended to give the Turk a

hot night and this will draw the enemy's fire about our new station,

and as this is the first night ashore of these two officers I hope

they will enjoy it. They arrived from the "Marquette" this morning

along with Lt.-Col. Th. Fraser.

We had our usual visit from an enemy aeroplane this morning. Repeated

shots went after it but away it flew towards the Narrows. The Asiatic

guns have given us no trouble for two days. Commander Samson is said

to have reported that two of these are disabled.

_May 4th._--As far as the weather goes every day has been perfect

since we came to Gallipoli--maximum of sun absolutely, and cloudless

sky by night always, except on two occasions.

We still wait for reinforcements which, however, are arriving, many

French troops landing at V. Beach. Our men are due from Egypt to-day.

Last night the artillery and rifle fire was again constant, especially

on our right, where the French lines were again driven in by the

Turks, but during the day they are said to have recovered their lost

position.

Two aeroplanes passed over us to-day, one firing three bombs, the

other two--no damage. Our aeroplanes were also active, circling time

after time round Achi Baba at a height of perhaps 5000 feet. From 110

to 120 shots were fired at one of ours, all missing. An aeroplane came

down just behind our camp for orders. We had no aerodrome nearer than

Tenedos before. Here we have prepared a landing place, which is

beautifully level, but being exposed to gunfire we cannot retain our

machines over night, all have to return to Tenedos.

We have had notice this afternoon that our Brigade, the famous 86th,

no longer exists as a Brigade. After its wonderful feats of bravery we

have heard this with the greatest sadness, but some of the battalions

being reduced to a fourth or a fifth of their original strength, and

the officers killed and wounded in a still greater proportion, there

was no help but to amalgamate with the other two Brigades of our

Division--87th and 88th. The Company of Hants who were with us on the

"River Clyde" did well. No unit in the whole Division receives greater

praise for its work than the Royal Scots (Queen's Own Edinburgh).

According to the original programme the French were to land on the

Asiatic side and advance up that side of the Dardanelles, but this

they either failed to do or we had enough work for all on this side,

and the right wing of the advance was assigned to them, and this they

still hold. From the point of Gallipoli to the top of Achi Baba is a

distance of 5 miles, and before we take that it is expected that

several thousand of our men will bite the dust.

The troublesome gun somewhere near Kum Kale has been more successful

to-day I hear, her bag being three men and nine horses on V. Beach.

Well do I know the whizz and thud of her shells--sounds all their own.

This gun is mounted either on rails behind rising ground, where she

can move sideways after firing a few rounds, or is on a disappearing

platform.

_May 5th._--The attack on Achi Baba was to have commenced to-day at 10

o'clock, but the first cannon roar was not heard till 11, when all

belched forth at the same minute. There seemed to be batteries

everywhere, the French 75's being specially noticeable all day, along

with some other field guns of theirs which had a peculiarly sharp

bark.

The Ambulance was unable to do anything till afternoon, when we got in

touch with the Regimental Aid Post of the Lancs. and with the Drake

and Plymouth Battalions, whose wounded we were responsible for. With

us all went well, although some stretcher squads I was with had a

narrow escape, two shrapnel shells bursting immediately over our heads

and kicking up a dust all round us.

Our transport men, who had nothing to do with carrying the wounded--by

hand at any rate--requested me to get them some excitement, and "the

hotter the better," and their deputy gave me a list of those eager for

this. I took them up the lines as far as we were allowed, and it was

with difficulty I kept them from going still further when they heard

that out in the open there were wounded who could not be reached by

the Regimental bearers on account of shrapnel. When we reached our

own front line we found there was a small party of men along a water

course still further out. Mainly for a "lark" we determined to go out

to these to see if they had any wounded. The water course was dry

except for green, stagnant pools, and coming on a deep and very filthy

one I decided to mount the bank and make a rush for it. All made

similar rushes, one at a time, and all of us were fired at at short

range. We reached the small outpost of about a dozen men lying on

their stomachs and got roundly sworn at, the small hole they were in

could not hold us all and we had to show ourselves, which brought a

torrent of bullets about the ears of all of us. It was a very

enjoyable and exciting little outing. These men would have gone all

the way to the Turkish lines with pleasure.

Those in authority are well pleased with the progress made, the left

wing being pushed well forward. The weather during the day was bright,

but windy, and with horses and wagons at the gallop the dust was very

troublesome, the whole scene being often blurred. Towards evening the

cold was intense. What wind we have had here has always been from the

north, and at night it might be blowing over snow.

_May 6th._--A furious attack was commenced by us at 11 p.m. on the

Turkish right, while the French attacked their left. Judging by the

increase of the Turks heavy fire they must have brought up more heavy

guns. Rumours about Krithia being captured floated in, but I could

never believe this, our pouring a constant stream of shells into the

village proves that it was not in our hands. The truth seems to be

that the Royal Scots pushed into it, and, while following the

retreating Turks into a wood on the left, had one or more machine-guns

turned on to them which mowed down over 200, while the remainder had

to retreat.

One of our men got wounded to-day by a shrapnel bullet which followed

round the bend of one of his ribs.

I paid a visit this afternoon to our old ship, the "River Clyde," and

during the ten minutes I was there three shells were fired at her.

During my short absence from W. Beach for this purpose three had

landed there, presumably fired at two of our aeroplanes which had

alighted behind us. Only one of the shells did any damage and it

smashed a limbered wagon to matchwood. All came from Asia.

_May 8th._--My goodness, such a rattle. Since Sunday, April 25, I

doubt if I have heard its equal.

Krithia is not yet ours in spite of the awful loss of life its

attempted capture has cost us. Batteries, right and left, in front and

behind all commenced a simultaneous roar at 5.30 p.m. A fairly hot

fire had gone on since 10 a.m., but 5.30 had been fixed for a more

furious cannonade, timed no doubt with an infantry attack on Krithia.

The whole of that part and the whole face of Achi Baba reek, with

denser clouds, every here and there. The roar is simply grand, and one

cannot help glorying in the tremendous power of man's devilment. I

wish they could make twice as much noise.

_May 9th._--I had to stop the above account of the day's doings

suddenly and go out with the stretcher-bearers when we had a terrible

time--hard work up to 1 a.m. and most of the time to the music of

bullets about our ears. And amidst all the din and roar of battle a

nightingale sang the whole day and still more sweetly all through the

next night, perched in a clump of trees we had repeatedly to pass on

the way to the Regimental Aid Posts of the Lancs. and Plymouth and

Drake Battalions--such a contrast of sounds!

_Later._--It is now 7.30 p.m. and the sun has gone down in a red glow

behind the rugged mountains of Imbros as viewed from the entrance of

my dugout. It has been a glorious day, uncomfortably warm, but calm

and without dust, which has been disagreeable for a day or two. I have

just had a bathe in the Aegean, which I was much in need of, this

being the first time I have taken off my clothes since I left Lemnos.

Walking along the beach I picked up a photograph of a chubby baby, the

darling of some one no doubt. He will miss this link with home.

The Turks have had little stomach for fighting to-day. Sniping has

gone on, of course, and occasionally a regular fusillade, but to us

the day on the whole has been peaceful. From 5 a.m. we have been very

busy among the Australian wounded, these being the principal sufferers

in yesterday's fight, owing, it is said, to their charging with the

bayonet at an inopportune moment. Many of their senior officers passed

through our hands, and their men, fine, big fellows, in large numbers.

Thomson and I were in charge of our dressing station at the "Five

Towers" from 9 a.m. yesterday till noon to-day, and were busy the

whole time, except from about 1 to 5 a.m. to-day, when we lowered

ourselves into a trench and tried to sleep.

Last night I started to go as far out as possible with five stretcher

squads, but in the dark it is difficult to move, nearly every spot is

taken up by men, horses, and transport, and you are continually

challenged by sentries. After showing our men across a brook with a

dark lantern, some others crossing with stretchers asked for a light,

and as soon as I threw a flash on the water a bullet whistled past me

from a sniper who must have penetrated our front line. I heard the

whistle of many a bullet at close quarters yesterday, and to-day big

shells have fallen on all the four sides of our dressing station,

coming from Achi Baba.

Yesterday when the battle raged at its worst a telegram was handed to

me, and read: "Good luck and fondest love--Mabel," and the date was

April 2 (March 16 it should have been). This had followed me all the

way from Avonmouth where it failed to find me as I was leaving for

this expedition.

The amount of horrors Thomson and I came through yesterday and this

morning was most sickening and depressing to both of us. The

Australian Aid Post was a perfect shambles, about an acre of stretcher

cases, horrible wounds, and all the surroundings soaked with blood.

But such brave fellows!

_May 10th._--We were very busy last night erecting tents for wounded,

being the overflow from the casualty clearing station, which, along

with the hospital ships, is absolutely full. We had sixty-seven to

find shelter for and succeeded. Two died during the night, and

nineteen more in other parts of the camp. Thomson and I were still on

duty and we were busy changing dressings, setting fractures, etc., up

to 2 p.m. to-day, when an order came to evacuate completely to a

hospital ship which had arrived. Welcome news! This gave us an

afternoon's rest which we much needed. I spent the time making

"couples" for our dugout, which was arched over before with two

stretchers interlocking at a slope.

The chief topic of conversation to-day is the brilliant dash of the

Australians on the 8th, in their bayonet charge over 300 yards of

ground without cover. The Turks with five machine-guns mowed them

down, but they dashed on. Their casualties were about 2000. We were

all eager to assist them, their own Ambulances being unable to cope

with the work.

_May 11th._--What we know as "Helles" is the point of the peninsula as

far north as Achi Baba. It is five miles long, and varies from two to

four in width. The whole valley is saucer shaped, with a more or less

complete high edge, except at a small part on the Dardanelles side,

where the land shelves to the sea at Morto Bay, this low lying part

being moist and fertile, with fairly heavy timber and huge downy

topped reeds 12 feet high. Across this valley there has once been an

aqueduct--perhaps centuries ago--the "Five Towers" being the remains

of the structure. While Achi Baba remains in the hands of the enemy

there is not a safe inch in what we occupy, the whole being within

easy gunfire.

Thomson and I are at present at the Five Towers Dressing Station for

twenty-four hours' duty. From the amount of heavy gun ammunition that

is being hurried past us we expect a heavy bombardment this afternoon,

with a repetition of the trying work we had when last on duty.

A Frenchman has just come into our station with half a loaf under his

arm. Great excitement! We were all willing to purchase it at any

price, but he handed it over to one of our men who had been hobnobbing

with him in the morning. All are deadly sick of army biscuits, the

only form of bread we have, hard as the nether millstone and

tasteless. The only decent food we have is McConnachie's ration of

meat and vegetables, which is excellent cold or hot, or as soup.

7.30 p.m.--Had a weary day--little doing. Thomson in very low spirits,

thinking everything is going wrong. News we get from a padre is that

in France everything goes badly. Pirie, M.O. to the Lancs, has just

looked us up and reports no progress here. We are certainly making

little speed, and it is now announced, whether correctly or not, that

Achi Baba is to be besieged into submission by starvation if

necessary, owing to the great loss of life a direct attack would

entail. In the afternoon I went out with a few bearers to the Lancs.

Aid Post to find they had gone into reserve for forty-eight hours, a

rest they much needed. Shells were coming fast and furious round us, a

battery we had to pass being the object of attack. Two big shells fell

very near our dressing station this afternoon, a pile of stores being

taken for ammunition boxes, the first shell landing among these with

terrible crash, and destroying a lot of jam. Rather a hot bombardment

of Krithia goes on to-night, while a number of Tommies are enjoying a

game of football close to our camp.

_May 12th._--At 8 p.m. yesterday a message reached us that the 29th

Division had been withdrawn to give them a much-needed rest of

forty-eight hours. We accordingly packed up and returned to our camp

at W. Beach, and lucky for us we did, as it rained heavily during the

night, and we had shelter against showers in our dugouts. On the whole

very little fighting went on to-day till 6 p.m. when our big guns all

along the line bombarded Krithia and the face of Achi Baba.

When studying our camp fires this morning before daylight I concluded

that we really had made but little progress since April 28, and a

Lancs. officer I saw this afternoon agrees with this conclusion. Still

we are said now to have about 100,000 men here, while I cannot believe

the enemy has anything like that number, but while they are on the

defensive, with their well-planned trenches and the best positions,

and possessing, as they do, a large number of machine-guns, the cost

in life entailed by an open attack would be very costly to us.

Three shells giving out coal-black smoke, and bursting with a terrific

crash, were fired at our beach to-day, but, as far as I know, without

damage. They all burst high in the air and with an unusual sound. (The

first of the "Black Marias" or "Jack Johnsons" although we had been

accustomed to other forms of high explosive shells.)

The following "special order" from General Sir Ian Hamilton of

to-day's date came this afternoon: "For the first time for eighteen

days it has been found possible to withdraw the 29th Division from the

fire fight. During the whole of that period of unprecedented strain

the Division has held ground or gained it, against the bullets and

bayonets of the constantly renewed forces of the foe. During the whole

of that long period they have been illuminating the pages of military

history with their blood. The losses have been terrible, but mingling

with the deep sorrow for fellow-comrades arises a feeling of pride in

the invincible spirit which has enabled the survivors to triumph where

ordinary troops must inevitably have failed. I tender to Major-General

Hunter-Weston and to his Division, at the same time my profoundest

sympathy and my warmest congratulations on their achievement."

"(Signed) IAN HAMILTON, _General_."

_May 13th._--Resting all day--but already have had enough of the

prescribed forty-eight hours' rest. It was besides rendered

uncomfortable by a very hot shelling in the afternoon. It is said the

Turks have placed a new disappearing gun in position, which is doing

this, and is firing high explosives with jet black smoke. They have

our range to an inch from Achi Baba. At least twenty-four shells were

fired at our Beach with a very creditable bag--three men killed, two

mortally wounded, twelve severely wounded, and about fifteen horses

and mules killed. I saw the remains of some poor brutes that had been

standing in a group when a shell fell among them. There was really

nothing left but a large red patch. Numerous pieces of shrapnel fell

among our tents. A piece whistled between Thomson and myself on our

way to attend a wounded officer near the lighthouse.

Later in the day I heard the Turk had got a larger mixed bag than I

have stated. I now hear as a fact that sixty-four horses and mules

were killed on our Beach.

H.M.S. "Goliath" was sunk by a torpedo at the mouth of the Dardanelles

at 2 a.m. to-day; 200 are said to have been saved which means a

death-roll of 500 or 600.

We hear that one, if not three, German submarines have passed Malta.

The big fleet lying off the coast has always been brilliantly lit, but

to-night all are in absolute darkness, except the hospital ships which

are still showing their long rows of green lights.

_May 14th._--The shelling we got yesterday has made us all think, and

we all set to to-day and dug ourselves in deeper, the wagons going to

Sedd-el-Bahr and bringing beams and boards from the ruins, and with

these we are to make roofs strong enough to resist splinters. By 3

p.m. some of us had nearly finished and were getting disappointed that

our funk holes were not being put to the test. By 4 o'clock we got

more than we wanted, then before 5 one of our aeroplanes came to grief

immediately behind us. Then commenced a terrible cannonade on this new

target, and one big shot alighting just inside the entrance of one of

our operating tents it was blown into tiny shreds, and ten stretchers

were riven into matchwood. Strange to say, although this was in the

middle of our camp not a soul was injured. The excitement was of

course great, every little bit of shell and every tatter of the tent

were carefully gathered to be kept as souvenirs. Three men and a

number of horses had been killed in the afternoon's work. Many of the

shells to-day were bigger than usual and some think the "Goeben" is

the culprit. She could easily fire from the Dardanelles over the east

ridge of Achi Baba.

_May 15th._--A quiet day in camp: little firing by either side; three

"Black Marias" reached us--no damage; a Taube fired three bombs--still

no harm. Rumour says one of our flying machines reports the Black

Maria gun was silenced by our fire, and her ammunition blown up this

afternoon. Her last shot was at 1 p.m. and it looks as if this might

be true.

By evening rain clouds appeared in the north and I have been preparing

my dugout for a wet night.

_May 16th._--We have just returned from church parade which was held

at 9.30, amidst a continuous rattle of rifles to the front, the

booming of howitzers on the right and left, while just behind us lay

the "Swiftsure," which had evidently got word in the middle of the

service to open fire on some particular spot. Her guns roared till the

concussion made the leaves of our hymn books flutter. While writing a

Jack Johnson fell very near me (so close that in my original diary my

pen made a big dash across the page). How helpless one feels! Now

comes another in the very middle of W. Beach--a very big fellow

too--and still another. We are to have a day of it. Eight of these

brutes now in a few minutes.

The C.O. has gone to a meeting at H.Q.; all the other officers are

wisely at the edge of the sea under cliffs, while I am in my dugout

too lazy to join them--but I may be forced to go yet, it is folly to

sit here in the line of fire.

Major Ward of the 88th Field Ambulance, which is alongside us, has

just taken a photograph of a bursting-shell at 70 yards, which he

joyfully declares is "absolutely it". He got well battered with flying

dirt.... The shelling got too hot for my continuing my notes and I was

forced to close for a short time.

Here we are shut up in the very point of Gallipoli, 100,000 of us,

and nearly as many horses and mules, every inch within easy range of

the enemy's guns, and for three days now he has peppered us more

furiously than at first. For three weeks and a day we have had an

almost continuous roar of cannon, sometimes many hundred shots per

minute, at other times with a lull of a few minutes. To-day and last

night the howitzers have been unusually busy, and I believe an attempt

is to be made this coming night to straighten our lines. The horns of

the line, especially the left, which is held by the Gurkhas, is too

far forward for the centre. This centre is directly opposite Achi

Baba, and is exposed to the whole opposing line, and has less help

from the fleet than the flanks. It is held by the flower of our

troops, and these will make any sacrifice to do what is expected of

them. May we soon have a little more breathing space than this fouled

little piece of the peninsula affords us.

_May 17th._--Three different spells of Black Marias to-day. One killed

three men and wounded nine. We have several others wounded and a

number of horses and mules killed. Altogether not a very pleasant day.

In the afternoon Thomson and I went to Sedd-el-Bahr and photographed

the "River Clyde," Major Frankland's grave, the whole of V. Beach,

etc., and brought back shell cases of the French 75's and 65's. Before

this, while helping Pirie to build his dugout, Kellas shouted to me to

look up, and I beheld what I at first took to be a huge flock of enemy

aeroplanes, and expected a shower of bombs, but they turned out to be

cranes--fifty-five of them in solid formation. They were an

interesting and beautiful sight. They hovered over us for a

considerable time, and two of our men stupidly fired several shots at

them which got us into trouble with the powers that be. They had never

taken into consideration the danger from dropping bullets where there

was such a congestion of humanity.

The day has been fiery hot as usual, with the usual glorious sunset

behind the mountains of Imbros. Yesterday Stephen and I studied the

Plain of Troy, the monument of Ajax, and the town of Troy itself--the

old and the new--all of which are visible from the rising ground

behind Sedd-el-Bahr.

_May 18th._--Black Marias paid their visit earlier than usual, three

bidding us good morning at 6 o'clock. All got into our clothes at

once, so that now at 7 p.m. we have had a long day. Curiously these

"coal boxes" have not been seen since, and they never trouble us after

this time of night.

About an hour ago I was watching one of our ships shelling a gully I

once visited on a memorable night, and got into a shallow trench and

watched from there. I was out in the middle of the valley where I

could easily be seen from Achi Baba and a shell came singing straight

at me. All the time shells had been passing high over my head but my

ear at once detected the change of flight and that a low one was

certainly coming my way. I had just time to throw myself flat in the

trench, which was about eighteen inches deep when the shell burst in a

straight line for me. I raised myself intending to bolt when I heard

the song of another at its heels. I again fell flat, but as soon as it

burst still nearer than the last I sprang and was just on my feet when

a third burst three or four yards to my right. The concussion and

shower of earth and stones sent me flying, and I peeled the palms of

both hands and sprained my right wrist. Then I made a sprint for my

funk hole at record speed, arriving quite out of breath after covering

about three-quarters of a mile. I felt that turning a big gun on a

solitary individual was not playing the game. I was wearing a

waterproof cover to my cap which had got bleached almost white, and I

may have been taken for some "big pot," as I sat on the edge of the

trench with this unusual head dress, peering through my glasses.

_May 19th._--Am feeling very tired, the result of my bad tumble, and

my wrist feels stiff and tender. No doubt my behaviour made the Turk

think I was a superior officer and worth a shell or two. With my

glasses I had examined very carefully the whole length of the lines,

then stepped into a half-filled-in trench and sat on the edge for some

time, watching operations at the gully I have mentioned. The second

shell was so near that I felt certain the third would have me. A

fourth shell followed and burst, but by this time I had picked myself

up and was at full gallop, and paid no heed to its whereabouts. The

whole four were fired in five or six seconds. (I got the fright of my

life; I felt that they were determined to have me, but the fright was

entirely due to the fact that I was alone. Never before or afterwards

did shells, however near, cause me the slightest discomfort.)

A camp story has it that a mule had to be shot the other day because

its cry was so confoundedly like the sound of an approaching shell and

caused needless alarm. This is presumably only a story, but it is

extraordinary how often one fancies one hears the song of a shell. One

day just before tea we were treated to a Jack Johnson, and during our

meal in the tent those of us who had not made off to our funk holes

ducked at every sound under the table, or behind a biscuit tin or any

other flimsy object utterly useless to give cover. Each time we raised

our heads we had a good laugh at our stupidity.

Those in the firing line are pitying us at the base to which nearly

all the shells are directed. Padre Hardie (afterwards V.C., D.S.O.,

M.C.) told me he had a major to tea the other day when the Jack

Johnsons started, and he bolted in the middle of tea, saying he could

not stand the life here, and made off to the firing line which he

thought much safer.

I asked a man to-day if he kept a diary. "No," he said, "there's

naething to say, I dee naething bit sleep, jink shells, and rin to the

Beach." It is amusing to see the "Beach Subdivision" move off when the

shells start, all pretending they are off for a quiet stroll, and

saunter away with their hands in their pockets.

_May 20th._--Still in reserve and absolutely idle. I was up early,

being requested by an officer of the 88th Field Ambulance to view his

tent which one of our water-carts had backed into and upset a number

of boxes of breakables, which he was terrified to look into,

especially one which contained several bottles of whisky. This gave me

a long day, and as a heavy cannonade was in progress it gave me an

opportunity of watching it. We have had no heavy shells at W. Beach

(now known as Lancashire Landing in honour of the brilliant work by

that battalion on April 25) so far, but we must not brag, they may

give us a visit to-day yet. Shrapnel we have had--but we do not care

twopence for shrapnel.

6.40.--We have had no shells since I wrote the above, for which we are

thankful. When examining the situation before breakfast I felt that

the whole valley up to Achi Baba was to be ours before night. Advances

all along the line have been made, some units having gained about 700

yards, the French also taking a trench which they afterwards lost.

This is the usual way with the French, they have repeatedly broken our

line across the peninsula.

The Turks have to-day used their heavy guns much more freely than on

any previous day, and doubtless have inflicted considerable damage on

our troops, but the range they have been firing at pointed to their

having removed their guns further back, which points to their

expecting to lose Achi Baba, which they have certainly held with the

utmost fortitude. I am attributing the peace we have had to-day at

Lancashire Landing to this fortunate event, if my conjecture is right.

I visited the "River Clyde" to-day to find she has a number of new

holes punched through her, those on the water line having completely

flooded her. Her stern now rests on the bottom, and the lowest hold is

full of water. All this time only one shell has actually burst inside

the ship, and it entered a cabin on the starboard side, blew all the

fittings to pieces, chunks flying through everything, some entering

the engine room where they perforated and carried away pipes, and blew

the roof of the cabin off. An officer showed me the effects of the

rifle and machine-gun bombardment on the night on which I spent four

hours in a boat and watched the thousands of bullets striking fire

over my head. Many had actually perforated the steel plates,

9/16th-inch thick, and there were deep dints innumerable. We had

twelve machine-guns on board that memorable day, the one in the bow

being managed by the son of the Earl of Leicester. This gun was said

to have done brilliant work. A large pile of empty cartridges still

lies where the gun was posted, and I carried away a few of these as

the only memento I possess of April 25, barring the memory of a

hellish day and night.

To-day we felt that we were probably beyond the reach of the enemy's

big guns, and a load is apparently off every one's mind. Many sang

late into the night, and various hilarious games were indulged in, the

one giving most fun being a bull fight, where one man held the end of

a string about three yards long and tied to a peg, and carried a jug

with a stone as a rattle, the other with a similar string having as a

weapon a small bag stuffed with hay. Both were blindfolded, and the

man with the bag let fly at the spot he thought the sound came from,

the hit being usually many yards wide of the bull.

The casualties among the Turks up to May 8 are said to number 40,000.

Since then the Australians have accounted for another 7000. To the

present date the total is probably not less than 60,000. We ought to

be well enough pleased with our work.

_May 21st._--Had a walk round Tekke Burnu, the S.W. point of

Gallipoli, where we have two 5-inch field guns. An officer to whom I

spoke said he was the first to locate the whereabouts of the gun that

threw the Jack Johnsons. We had all guessed from their whistle that

they came from the right ridge of Achi Baba. Two of the shells fired

at this battery failed to explode, and this man had the holes

carefully exposed for their whole depth, and two poles placed in these

pointed exactly to the same spot. Each of these shells had penetrated

to a depth of 8 feet in very hard clay.

_May 22nd._--About 1 p.m. there seemed to be a strange stir among our

transports. I noticed no fewer than six make off in a body towards

Lemnos, while Thomson remarked that a destroyer had been going

backwards and forwards among the shipping off the point of the

peninsula. We did not guess the reason of this till all at once I

noticed a warship fire a shot towards Imbros. This was followed by

others, and the splashes showed they were firing at something in the

sea, no doubt an enemy submarine--which proved to be the case. About

six shots in all were fired. Three destroyers were flying about in all

directions, absolutely at full speed. Two turned and made for the spot

where the submarine had been seen. It is a beautiful sight to see

these boats turn in their own length when at full speed. From the

rocks at Tekke Burnu I watched for two hours the manœuvres of these

and four warships. An anxious night will be spent by our naval

brethren. Several other transports have disappeared and gone to the

safe anchorage of Lemnos. A large four-funnelled French steamer had

just arrived with troops who had no time to disembark, and she has

turned tail and gone after the others.

_May 23rd._--1.15 p.m. Am sitting near the top of "The Gully". This

runs north and south on the west side of the peninsula. I am at a spot

slightly north of Krithia, and in the very middle of our firing line.

All the tops of The Gully, on both sides and along its ramifications,

are lined with our men and all are blazing away at the hardest, while

the Turks bullets keep up a constant whizz over our heads. The

Worcesters have just gone into the trenches to relieve some other

unit. One of the Hants men I have been sitting beside and talking to

was in our hold on the "River Clyde" when we landed exactly four weeks

ago. He tells me how gloomy his battalion was over the death of their

C.O. that day--Colonel Smith-Carrington, "a grand fellow, the best man

that ever lived," as he put it.

Wearying to death after twelve days of idleness I set off after church

parade to visit the Hants Dressing Station where I knew Pirie was

placed. I went along the Krithia road till I came to The Gully I once

reached late one evening, when Thomson and I were sniped at. Here I

chanced to meet my old cabin companion, Balfour, who directed me to

the very top of The Gully where I came across a battery which again

directed me further to the left. Here three bullets flew past me, a

gunner saying these stray bullets were doing a great deal of damage.

Balfour also told me that they had lost two men yesterday from the

same cause.

At last I reached The Gully which is several miles long--over

three--and averages 100 yards in width at the top. All the slopes are

one solid mass of shrubbery--laurel, juniper, dwarf conifers, holly

oak, and brilliant flowers innumerable. I brought back a bunch of

Cytisus whose individual flowers might have been our broom (_C.

Scoparius_).

A road has been made the whole length of The Gully, and the whole way

is occupied by our troops, especially Indians, many of whom were

engaged in their ablutions as I passed. The sides of The Gully would

average 100 feet in height, many parts being higher. The sides slope

steeply in parts, in many places are quite perpendicular or

over-hanging, the walls being the usual hard, marly clay, while I

noticed broad layers of conglomerate and sandstone also occur. I was

charmed with the whole place, and when describing it at the mess I was

thought to be romancing. The heat in the depths of The Gully was very

intense and without a breath of wind.

_May 24th._--A little rain fell in the morning, and it was more or

less cloudy during the day. We watched a fierce thunderstorm, which

came round the south side of Imbros, up its east side, then it turned

west towards Samothrace. Much shelling to-day, but mostly short and

some way from our camp. I hear of no damage.

_May 25th._--Had another walk to-day to the top of The Gully with

Kellas, Agassiz, and Thomson. Plenty of shells over our heads.

Twenty-six shells were fired this morning at several aeroplanes that

had landed on our aerodrome. Two were more or less damaged, one with a

hole through its petrol tank.

As we were returning from The Gully and were ascending the high bank

of Gully Beach I saw something was wrong out at sea, three or four

ships being apparently huddled together in one mass. Through my

glasses I saw the stern of a ship in the air, preparing for its final

plunge to the bottom of the sea. In three minutes or so she had

entirely gone. Strange to say what we had been watching was the last

of the "Triumph" which had been torpedoed by the submarine that caused

the excitement the other day. She is said to have sunk in twenty

minutes. We have not yet heard how many perished in this most

regrettable disaster, but if it is true that her magazine blew up, as

we hear, the loss will likely be heavy. H.M.S. "Triumph" did much

useful work out here. This is the second warship we have lost since we

arrived in Gallipoli.

_May 26th._--Yesterday we opened a dressing station one and a half

miles up the Krithia road. It was the duty of Fiddes and Whyte to be

posted there for twenty-four hours, beginning at 3 p.m., but the

latter having been kicked by a horse yesterday I offered to take his

place. I am there now sitting on the edge of a deep funk hole which I

have strewn with a thick layer of thyme, meaning to have a pleasant

night between "lavender sheets," but I am told by Stephen and Thomson

that there is no sleep to be had out here owing to the terrible din

that goes on. At present--7.30--there is a violent interchange of

shells going on, the enemy's mostly flying high over our heads on the

way to our Beach. The aerodrome beside it has been very furiously

attacked during the last two days with considerable damage.

Beside us is the grave of a Turk who smells as all Turks do. Our men,

I fancy, think they do not deserve much burial. This reminds me of a

Turk on the top of whose grave I lunched with Pirie up in the firing

line last Sunday. A man the day before was digging a funk hole, and

coming on something soft he plunged his spade into it. The smell was

so terrific that he threw his spade and bolted, and the Turk had to be

covered up by sand thrown from a distance of several yards. Then the

night before one of our men, when it was getting dark, saw a

suspicious object slipping down the side of The Gully, as he thought,

so he proceeded to stalk it through the dense shrubs that clothe all

the slopes of The Gully, and, on getting close enough to get a view of

it through the bushes he recognised the Turkish uniform and sprang on

the man like a tiger driving his bayonet clean through him. The Turk

had been dead for nearly a month, and his assailant, like the other

man, had to make a hasty retreat.

We are to have a very lively night, that is evident. The Turks usually

cease firing their big guns by this time of night, but their shells

are still flying thick. The British guns are at present quiet, but the

French 75's are barking furiously. It is a delight to hear their

sharp, clean bark. The enemy's machine-guns have also been very active

this afternoon, the crack, crack, crack, of the Turkish one being

easily distinguishable from the noise made by ours. The day of our

landing taught me this.

_May 27th._--I must have slept three or four hours last night, but not

soundly. There was constant rifle fire beside us with one big

fusillade before midnight. But what annoyed me was the smell of the

thyme and other sweet-smelling herbs I had made a bed of, covering all

over with a new rubber ground sheet which was very odoriferous. The

mixture of odours was not pleasant. I had trampled the plants with my

boots to produce as strong a smell as possible, and succeeded so well

that it actually made my eyes smart all night. I rose early and was

over near Gully Beach about 6 o'clock. Since then shells have been

flying on our four sides and high in the air, and I hear of

considerable damage.

We are much upset by the news which reached us at 7.45 that at 7

another of our ships had been torpedoed, lying just off our Beach in

full view of all there. It is rumoured that it is the "Majestic," but

her name we are not yet sure of. The men who brought this news out to

us say they saw the men on board line up before she went down, and

dive into the sea. Terrible news!

_May 28th._--Back at W. Beach. What we heard yesterday about the

"Majestic" was only too true. She lies in front of our camp, about 300

yards from the edge of the cliff, a considerable part of her still

above water. There is much discussion as to what part of her it is

that is visible, but it appears to me to be the keel, certainly the

ram is there. The killed and drowned are between fifty and sixty.

Several I have spoken to distinctly saw the wake of the torpedo for

many hundred yards. The "Majestic" was lying in the midst of other

shipping--only supply boats of no great size, besides trawlers and

destroyers, but a gap must have been left and through this the torpedo

had found its way. The Admiral and Ashmead-Bartlett were both on

board. The latter was on the "Triumph" when she went down two days

before.

The "Majestic" was able to fire five shots at the submarine when she

rose to find her bearings, which she did about a mile off, but whether

struck or not she managed to discharge her deadly bolt, which went

home right amidships, and in about eight to ten minutes the "Majestic"

turned over and sank. Her torpedo nets were out, and as many were

scrambling up the side of the hull, as she turned over, the nets on

the starboard side swept right over, and must have accounted for many

deaths.

It is said that the form of torpedo used is most efficient at ranges

of 3000 yards or more, this long distance being necessary to get up

full momentum. One of the camp sanitary men, who tells me the story,

was on the beach as the men swam ashore, and one sailor was no sooner

on his feet than he said: "It was time the damned b---- was down; she

was twenty-five years old; any of you chaps got a clay pipe, I am

dying for a clay pipe"--all said in one breath. The "Majestic" is said

to have been built in 1902 and was an old boat, but her armament was

quite serviceable.

An enemy aeroplane crossed over our heads at 7.15 this morning, and

dropped a bomb, presumably at our C.C.S. and just missed it. Three men

were standing near; all were knocked over, one dying soon after.

_May 29th._--This forenoon I walked out to White House Farm, which is

about 3 or 3-1/2 miles up the centre of the valley, and is within a

few hundred yards of our firing trenches. It was rumoured in the

evening that these front trenches had been taken by the Turks. At the

White House there is the finest specimen of a fig tree I have yet

seen, being large and spreading, and growing in a piece of good turf

beside a well. In that part the whole ground is strewn with bullets.

_May 30th._--I have not been out of camp to-day. The men in our

dressing station came in at 3 a.m. with a long tale of the fury of the

shelling out there, many casualties occurring round it. Evidently

there is no better place to be had, but the part devoted to the

wounded runs in such a way that it can be directly enfiladed by gun

and rifle fire from Achi Baba. Another trench at right angles to this

could easily be broadened and deepened to hold all the wounded and a

whole tent-subdivision.

Three shots were fired from our battery on Tekke Burnu about 6.30 p.m.

and at once all the destroyers darted out to sea. Evidently a

submarine had been sighted. It is now getting dark, and the sea is

covered with our mosquito craft darting about in all directions.

We employ several hundred Greeks, mostly road making. They receive

2s. 6d. a day and their food. All those working at the Beach struck

work to-day, demanding higher wages, and retired to their shelter

holes in the cliff. A company of Dublin Fusiliers was called out, and

fixing bayonets they kicked the mutineers out of their holes, and all

were driven into a corner at the foot of the rocks, the open side shut

in by a line of bayonets, and there they are to be kept, without food

and water till they come to their senses. The Greek nation has always

been greedy, always unreliable, and the most notorious liars on the

face of the earth.

_May 31st._--This has been a very quiet day, the Turks and ourselves

having fired comparatively few shots. Although there has been no hard

fighting lately, really little more than sniping, we still have a

casualty list of some size. Those leaving for treatment on the boats

or at the base hospitals of Malta and Alexandria have a daily average

of about 125. This includes sickness as well as wounds.

_June 1st._--There was much noise last night after all, there being

much gun and rifle fire, especially on our centre, but with few

casualties, as far as I can learn.

It has been known for two days that the Turks are to make a determined

attack on us to-night, for which we are no doubt fully prepared. Since

5 this evening both sides have been very liberal with their shells.

Krithia and its neighbourhood, as well as the right ridge of Achi

Baba, has been reeking from the discharge of our and the French

shells.

It is said that the Turks and Gurkha trenches are so near each other

at the top of The Gully that the two are connected by a tunnel through

which they hobnob, and that the Turks have asked the help of the

Indians to murder their German officers, then they would hand over

the Dardanelles to us without further trouble. A mere story of course,

although one firmly believes that it is these savage officers who are

forcing the Turks to fight, under threats that they will shoot them if

they refuse to go forward.

A few shrapnel shells were fired half an hour ago at the top of our

Beach, in resentment of our Ambulance men gathering on the sky line to

watch the shells bursting on Achi Baba. This made them beat a hasty

retreat. But on the whole the day has been very quiet.

_June 2nd._--It appeared in "Orders" to-day that we held an advanced

dressing station 100 yards on this side of White Farm, and as no one

understood what this referred to, the C.O. after consulting with the

A.D.M.S. (Col. Yarr), who could throw no light on the subject, asked

me to go out and investigate the ground to see if such a station might

be established there. As a big engagement is anticipated within

forty-eight hours such a place would be useful. I started at 2.30 with

Kellas and Agassiz who were going out to our present dressing station,

but on reaching that they proposed to go along with me, as they had

never been in that part of the country. All went well on the way out,

only an occasional stray bullet being heard. On reaching "Y Battery,"

about 100 yards from White Farm a gunner joined us and took us quickly

over the remaining short distance, where stray bullets are apt to be

too plentiful. But worse, a sniper several hundred yards off had the

exact range. He took us into a vineyard behind the farm, and pointed

out to us all our advanced trenches, warning us not to shake the vines

as that might attract fire, and on no account to show ourselves. We

returned to this man's battery, and as soon as I started off with

Agassiz the sniper had a shot at us, his bullet landing in a tuft of

grass a few feet to our right. I thought it was some animal and

proceeded to stir it out of the grass, but Agassiz declared it was a

shot. In a second or two another kicked up a dust beside us, which

settled the question. We scattered at once, but three other shots came

after us before we got out of sight behind some small trees. From

these we watched Kellas sauntering along, hoping he would also have to

take to his heels, but the sniper left him alone.

I had next to visit the 88th Brigade H.Q. where I explained to General

Doran that the spot mentioned for our dressing station was much too

dangerous. He agreed at once, and said even where he was, on the side

of rising ground with its back to the enemy, was unsafe, and that one

of his sergeants had just been shot through the knee lying in his

dugout.

_June 4th._--To all appearances this is to be a great day. At 11 a.m.

to the minute about 150 field guns and howitzers opened on the Turkish

trenches, and now at 11.20 all is one great roar. Eight aeroplanes are

circling about, two big battleships with seven destroyers appeared out

of the haze, coming from Imbros. These are on the constant move, for

submarines will be about for certain, and we must not give them more

fixed targets, they have already had too many. Pandemonium will reign

in a few minutes. We have waited long for this, and all are overjoyed.

I have been round the C.C.S. and Ordnance Stores collecting all the

stretchers I can lay my hands on. Apparently we do not expect the

Turks to be the only sufferers to-day.

12.10.--Achi Baba and the whole Gallipoli point reek as they have not

reeked since April 25. The battleships keep moving and belching out

their deadly hail, encircled always by the destroyers, while an

aeroplane hovers, at a low height, over and around them, peering into

the depths of the Aegean in case a submarine should come sneaking up.

The French guns are very busy.

6.30 p.m.--Dressing St. Krithia Road. I came out here about two hours

ago, with six squads of stretcher-bearers. We cannot advance yet,

things are too hot, rifle fire being still a constant rattle,

especially on our left. When I arrived the French were very active on

our right, but judging from their comparative quietness now I think

they may have seized at least part of a great gully which had been

immediately in front of them all this time, and which has contained

one or more Turkish batteries. These have annoyed the French for

long--and us. The front of the hill is now fairly quiet, but we are

firing huge shells into Krithia and that end of Achi Baba. We know

from the wounded, who have been coming in for some hours in a steady

stream, that our line is greatly advanced, some of our battalions

having taken as many as five trenches.

About 8.15 I set off with thirteen stretcher squads to the dressing

station of the 88th Field Ambulance, which we found two miles up The

Gully. It was getting dark when we started, and was pitch dark, there

being no moon, when we reached that point. The order we had got was to

send up thirteen stretchers at once, and we interpreted this to mean

the full complement of bearers as well, but these were not required.

The great battle was still raging, and bullets were flying across The

Gully in thousands. During the day there had been numerous casualties

from these in the depths of The Gully. On the way back the whole place

was packed tight with wagons of every description, and pack animals

taking up ammunition and stores for next day, and it was often with

the greatest difficulty we got through the blocks. Having to cross a

level piece of ground from Gully Beach to our station, and this being

swept by bullets, which were passing among us, we had many narrow

escapes, but no one was hit. At our station, which was now in the line

of fire for stray shot, we heard bullets pass all night long. A

bullet went "phut" into the ground at my feet as I lay on a stretcher.

I merely drew up my feet and tried to sleep, but being saturated with

perspiration and generally uncomfortable I never even felt drowsy.

Then about 3 in the morning a more resounding shot landed in the same

spot as the last--both certainly within 2 feet of me. I now got up and

sat till 6 in a corner more protected from the N.E. which appeared to

be the direction of the bullets.

On the way to The Gully I had walked with a sergeant of the

Worcester's as guide. He tells me the French did not do well to-day,

having as usual advanced and retired, thus leaving our Naval Division,

on our extreme right, exposed. The Turks opened fire on them and the

K.O.S.B.'s and mowed them down with their machine-guns. At H.Q. they

are reported to have used very strong language about this. My guide

also tells me of the bravery displayed by the Sikhs and Gurkhas, also

by the Territorials who are drafted through the Regulars, many of them

mere boys, but they are said to have shown great pluck.

_June 5th._--I believe according to programme we should have started a

big gun bombardment at 11 a.m. to-day, but we have only had occasional

shots--so far at any rate, and it is now 5.45, too late to do much

before night comes on.

I mentioned yesterday that we had 150 field guns and howitzers, but I

find the numbers were 180 French and 150 British guns. An aeroplane

crossed us at 7 p.m. flying at a great height. No bombs were dropped.

"Asiatic Annie," as a famous gun across the Dardanelles is called, has

thrown a number of ugly shells this way to-day, but all were short of

W. Beach.

The "Majestic" is sinking gradually, her ram, which must have been 15

feet out of the water, is now nearly submerged.

_June 6th._--Sunday--6.40 a.m.--The day by preference for a big fight.

Last night--about 8--the Turks appear to have made a feint attack on

the French, this going on for hours, the rifle fire very heavy. Then

in the small hours of this morning they had concentrated on our

left--the other end of the line--where they were in great force. My

informants are three wounded from the Essex Regiment who have walked

in to hospital. They say the Turks were ten to our one, and they came

on with great dash, fighting being very fierce at a distance of only

20 yards. Then they got mixed up with the Essex and Royals, who must

have been badly cut up and were the last to retire. The Turks used a

large quantity of hand grenades. These are very deadly, and have been

making ghastly wounds as we know. We too use these freely, all the

empty 1 lb. tins of the camp having been collected for some time back,

and charged with gun-cotton. For missiles they have chopped up Turkish

barbed wire into inch lengths.

The howitzer fire was terrific between 4 and 5 when I woke up and came

to the top of the ridge to see what was doing. Plainly something

unusually desperate was on the move. "Asiatic Annie" was also busy and

several shells came this way, one falling in the C.C.S. where no harm

was done. Luckily it had chosen a clear spot in front of the store

tent to pitch into. I had gone down to examine this when the wounded

men I have referred to arrived. They say that all the trenches we took

two days ago, after so much hard fighting, are lost. Now at 7.15

firing has become much more desultory, and judging from where our

shells are bursting the distance we have been driven back is not

serious--and so to breakfast.

10 a.m.--Firing is too hot for us to collect in groups, therefore,

there is to be no church parade this morning. The walking wounded

still come straggling in, singly or in groups, all greatly depressed

at having such bad news to relate. Another constant stream flows from

the C.C.S. to the little cemetery at the top of the Beach, each unit

of this stream consisting of two bearers carrying a dead comrade on a

stretcher. The cemetery may be small but it already contains many

graves, and inside its barbed wire fence there is still room for many

of our gallant men, who fondly fancy that the shell or bullet that

could lay them low is not yet cast. This very comforting feeling I

hope we all possess--more or less. One of the graves has a cross of

great taste and is over a "Driver Page," a New Zealand Artillery man,

and after the inscription is the word "Ake--Ake".

No one knows the extent of our casualties, but they must be heavy. The

Indian contingent alone is said to have lost 1000 yesterday. The

Royals, Essex, and K.O.S.B.'s are said to have suffered most in the

morning's attack.

_Later._--I heard in the evening that yesterday's casualties amounted

to at least 1800, but some think that an under-estimate.

We hear to-night that General Wolley-Dod has been appointed to command

our 86th Brigade. He is said to be a very able soldier.

In the afternoon there was an occasional interchange of shots, but on

the whole it was quiet till 8 p.m., the hour darkness sets in, when

the usual fusillade began. The Turks are nearly always responsible for

this, and our men rarely reply.

_June 7th._--I notice in yesterday's Routine Orders issued by General

de Lisle, commanding the 29th Division, that the old Etonians are to

have a dinner at Lancashire Landing, and those attending are requested

to bring knife, fork, plate, and cup--their mugs in short. This

request seems quite natural out here. Then follows a notice that some

unit has lost a bay horse and two mules, finder to return them to

such and such a place. This again is a curiosity, horses and mules are

always straying. The correct way to do if you lose a horse is to seize

the first stray one you come across, and swear you brought him out

from England.

Last night about 10.30 the Turks disturbed our peace by firing fifty

or sixty shells about our Beach, some being very near our camp, near

enough to bespatter our tents and dugouts with lumps of earth. One of

the men of the 88th Field Ambulance, just in front of us, got wounded.

They began again with heavier shells--Jack Johnsons--about 5 a.m.

to-day, seven falling near us, and as we lay underground we could feel

the earth shake with every detonation. Last night was the first time

they ever gave us such a visit. They are chary of using their big guns

after dark in case they should give away their positions.

2.15 p.m.--I spent sometime on a ridge overlooking the sea and watched

the Turks shelling the ships close by. Their firing from Kum Kale was

wild, but there was one ship they were determined to have, shell after

shell falling near and throwing up splashes mast high. At last she was

hit and a loud report was followed by dense smoke from her fore part.

Flames quickly followed, and several minesweepers and destroyers soon

came to her aid, and unloaded part of her cargo. She was finally

anchored close inshore to await events. By 2 o'clock the flames seemed

to be pretty well under control.

While watching this a young officer came up and spoke to me. He had

arrived with us on the "River Clyde" and since then has had very

trying experiences. He said his birthday was to-morrow, and I should

say it might be his twenty-first. He is in the Anson Battalion, and

had come through the Antwerp retreat. His battalion left England 1000

strong with thirty-three officers. They are now 198 men, while he is

the only officer remaining. He thinks we must beat a retreat from

Gallipoli one of these days, to take it would mean too great a

withdrawal of troops from France, but, as he says, a retreat means a

greater loss of honour than Britain can bear. He told me about the

Collingwood Battalion which left England on May 9, and went into the

fight fresh and at full strength. They lost twenty-three officers and

nearly six hundred men. In spite of all opinions and rumours we must

bring this campaign to a victorious end, be the cost what it may.

_June 8th._--A day of wind, one big cloud of dust, and swarms of

flies. These last have become a terrible curse lately, and as time

goes on they will get no less.

About a week ago Col. Yarr proposed that I should join him at

Head-quarters, and this morning I was ordered to present myself at

Corps H.Q. at 3 p.m. I had given the necessary undertaking to divulge

no secrets, and as the hour approached I rigged myself out in my best

boots and tunic, and had chosen a smart orderly to look after

me--Melrose, from Kincardine O'Neil. Then the A.D.M.S. appeared, to

say that their staff was broken up, most of them having gone to Gully

Beach, and as there were only twelve all told remaining there was no

excuse for my joining just yet. They have interesting personalities at

H.Q. and I feel disappointed. Sir Ian Hamilton, for example, dined

there last night.

_June 9th._--We had a visit from Pirie, M.O. to the Lancs. He is

terribly depressed over the fight of the 6th when they lost 450 men.

They were held up by barbed wire in a charge and were shot down. I

have heard of three battalions that were left with only one officer

after that fight.

We are now erecting at the "two-gun fort" two naval guns of 4.7

calibre to reply to our Asiatic friends. It is supposed there are

three guns on the other side of the Dardanelles of 6-inch calibre.

These were carefully watched last night, and it was observed that the

flashes always came from different points, as if they were placed on

rails and were run sideways. This has long been suspected. These

"Asiatic Annies" have accounted for 120 Frenchmen within the last few

days.

Stephen and Thomson are out at the dressing station to-night. I have

been watching Jack Johnsons bursting in their neighbourhood.

We received four motor ambulances to-day to reinforce our mule-drawn

wagons.

_June 10th._--The dust storm continues, and some one has been

comforting enough to say that these storms often last for twenty-one

days. They are about as bad as the flies.

_June 11th._--Wind stronger than ever but the dust has been largely

blown into the sea. Towards evening it fell somewhat. The sea has been

too rough to get patients away from the C.C.S. to the hospital ships,

and we have had to relieve it by taking fifty walking cases into our

tents. All are very cheery, and I fancy most are looking forward to a

short holiday after their recent experiences. Some have not yet been

in a fight, some of the naval men who landed two days ago were only on

their way to the trenches when they were wounded by shrapnel, which

was showered on them plentifully from several points.

Stephen and Thomson had such a hot time at the dressing station that

they were forced to return to the Beach. There were eighty-eight

shells in their vicinity within an hour. About 2 p.m. when I went out

the Krithia road with several squads of bearers in answer to an urgent

but vain message, we were held up half a mile on this side of the

dressing station by a perfect tornado of shrapnel just in front of us.

I heard afterwards that the road in that part was entirely ploughed

up.

_June 12th._--A quiet day but full of rumours. Late last night we had

five Jack Johnsons with their terrific crashes, and in the distance

rifle fire went on all night. About 5 a.m. to-day a number of shells

landed among the shipping off our Beach. Due north about the same

time, at the distance of a good many miles, what sounded like repeated

broadsides from warships. Probably the Australians are having a big

fight. Then at 7 a.m. ten or twelve rifle shots on the aerodrome

behind us took me up in a hurry, this being unusual. I half thought

they might be shooting a spy, but found some one had been blazing away

at some huge bird, either a vulture or an eagle. I watched its large

dark form as it flew towards X. Beach. Shrapnel and Jack Johnsons were

flying about in other parts during the day, but none near us.

Now for rumours--(1) the 29th Division is to be withdrawn for certain,

having done its bit out here. This is an old rumour which we still

doubt. I for one would be sorry were we withdrawn before seeing this

part of the campaign through. (2) The Russians are landing an army

north of Constantinople. (3) The Italians have landed at Rhodes, and

are to make a descent on Smyrna--the last two cheer us up.

Kellas and Agassiz had a quieter time at the dressing station than

yesterday's two. The latter returned about 8 and said "Arthur" was too

busy playing with a spider and he left him behind.

_June 13th._--Had a walk with the C.O. to the top of The Gully to find

a site for a new dressing station. We breakfasted at 7 as we wished to

cross the exposed piece of ground between this and Gully Beach. For

sometime back this has been a favourite mark for the Turkish guns, and

we thought the morning the most likely time to be allowed to pass

unnoticed. We were in the foot of The Gully before 8 o'clock. The

whole valley between this and Achi Baba was so quiet in the brilliant

sunshine that we remarked that it might have been a Sunday at home.

Near the top of The Gully we found Taylor of the 87th Field Ambulance

at breakfast and had a cup of tea with him. He came along with us to

find a suitable place, and one was fixed on, but I do not like it. In

my opinion it will be terribly exposed to a dropping fire, the

surroundings are not high enough to give much protection. The ground

is also much soiled--I preferred a small side gully but the C.O.

thought it unfeasible.

We called on Major Ward of the 88th F.A. who was also in the

neighbourhood. After much labour he has got an ideal spot, very safe,

and plainly made by a man of artistic tastes. He is as happy as a lark

up there with his camera, and is studying the birds and their nests.

Col. O'Hagan and Major Bell were next called on at Gully Beach, and we

reached our camp about 1 o'clock.

We hear that Gen. de Lisle estimates that the European war will be

ended by September--absolutely without fail.

_June 14th._--I marched a number of our men up The Gully to work at

our new dressing station. I had a look at the place chosen but liked

it worse than ever, and proceeded to tear down the sides of the little

gully I preferred. By night we had converted it into a most romantic

and safe retreat for the wounded and ourselves. The dry bed of a

stream, for about 100 yards, we levelled down into a beautiful path,

with several twists and high towering walls, and in the extreme end we

levelled the floor of a water-worn amphitheatre making room for about

twenty stretcher cases. A little water drips over the centre of the 40

feet high overhanging wall, which in wet weather would be a raging

torrent. (This was afterwards known, and figured in our maps, as

Aberdeen Gully. It was most suitable for our work, very safe, and much

admired by every one.)

_June 15th._--Been working all day in our Gully, and am now prepared

for the night, and am sitting in my new dugout, which is merely an

excavation on a slope with a projecting cliff overhead. At the present

moment a long string of Gurkhas are filing up a twisting and high path

on the north side of our little gully, on their way to the trenches

for the night. We have watched all sorts on this path, but mostly

Sikhs and Gurkhas on their way to the firing line, and Indian water

carriers with their great skin bags which look as if they would hold

about six gallons. Much water has gone up in tanks, slung on mules.

One of our big guns is immediately above us on the top of the cliff,

and is making a terrific din, with long rolling echoes. All our guns

have been very busy to-day and the Turks still more so, and I am

afraid from their long range, which I observed in the morning, these

have got new guns with very high explosive shells. It is now 7.45 and

they may soon stop, as it is dark by 8, but for the last few nights

they have fired at all hours.

_June 16th._--Still at our new place, and all of us busy with pick and

spade all day. Had a good night's sleep in spite of a continuous rifle

fire very near us. We had a visit in the afternoon from the C.O.,

Agassiz, and Dickie. With the two last I walked over to Y. Beach, and

at the Artillery Observation Post there, under the guidance of the

officer in charge, we had a capital view of all our trenches on the

left flank, including one that has been a bone of contention for some

time, and was the cause of an attack by the Turks last night. This

trench was formerly Turkish, but half of it is now in our possession

and between us is a pile of sandbags. Over this barrier each takes it

into his head to throw a few bombs at his enemy. We are trying to

rectify our position by cutting a new sap. The whole of the Turkish

trenches from Achi Baba to the sea are visible from Y. Beach O.P. For

a long way in front of where we were the distance between the two of

us is not many yards, and in one part the trenches look as if they

were mixed up in an extraordinary way.

I spent the evening making a table for our new quarters, and retired

to bed about 9 in the midst of big gun, machine and rifle fire, all

very near.

_June 17th._--Aberdeen Gully. We opened our new station to-day and

relieved the 87th F.A. We had but a few patients. Agassiz visited us

in the afternoon with Fiddes and Dickie. The first and I walked over

to the O.P. at Y. Beach. On the way back along the sunk mule track we

had to pass a string of mule water carriers. Each Indian leads three

mules in Indian file. One brute took it into his head to rub the sharp

edge of his tank into my ribs, and with his feet well to the side he

stood up and jammed me as hard as he could against the wall of the

trench. Agassiz, as transport officer, had to dilate on the amount of

intelligence he has noticed in the Indian mules, while I could only

use strong language over the wickedness of this particular brute.

We had a number of visitors to-day from neighbouring units--M.O.'s and

others. Padres Creighton and Komlosy and Major Lindsay dined with us.

_June 18th._--The centenary of Waterloo. I hear the French are to make

an attack to-day. I hope they will be more successful than they were

this day one hundred years ago. This morning we have been annoyed by

the Turks' shrapnel, the whole of the gully being peppered, and also

by defective shells from our own battery above our heads. Several

since we came up here have burst almost as soon as they left the gun.

After breakfast I walked to Y. Beach, and for the first time

scrambled down to the foot. "The Dardanelles Driveller," whose one and

only copy was most amusing, said about this spot, "Why call it a

Beach, it is only a bloody cliff"? It was here the K.O.S.B.'s and

S.W.B.'s landed on April 25 and met with no opposition at the landing,

and had proceeded nearly two miles inland, when they were attacked by

the Turks in overwhelming force, and lost a large number in their

retreat to the Beach and then to their boats. This was afterwards

retaken by the Gurkhas, who pushed through from W. Beach, and the high

cliff on the north side is now known as Gurkha Bluff. The Indian

Brigade have their H.Q. here, and this morning there were about 2000

Gurkhas and Sikhs about. I was toiling up the "bloody cliff" when some

Gurkhas passed me, thinking nothing of the steep ascent; while I

straightened my knees slowly at each step, I noticed they brought

their legs straight with a jerk.

This day two years ago I was lying in bed in Brussels, reading

Baedeker, when I discovered it was the 98th anniversary of Waterloo. I

had given up all intention of visiting the battlefield, being pressed

for time, but after such a discovery I felt compelled to pay it a

visit. I was thankful I went, it proved one of the most enjoyable days

I ever spent. At that time Holland and Belgium hated each other, but

were outwardly kept friendly by their common enemy, Germany, of which

they were very suspicious. What has now happened has surprised neither

of these two States.

7 p.m.--Returned a few minutes ago from my favourite Observation Post

at Y. Beach--Major Ward dragged me over to....

11 p.m.--The preliminary big gun bombardment was to commence at 7, and

I had just made a start with my diary when the din began, and I had to

stop short. We are in the very middle of four batteries--two mountain

(Ross and Cromarty), one 64-pounder, and a fourth of four 6-inch

howitzers. All blazed forth at once, and all drew fire. As far as we

could make out this was the hottest corner of the whole front. Shells

in hundreds burst about our ears, chunks of shell and four nose caps

came into Aberdeen Gully. The noise of our guns and the bursting of

Turkish shells was the worst I have heard since the day of our

landing. Stones and earth we had flying about in plenty. In the midst

of it all Captain Rowland, R.E., shouted from the mule track, asking

if a M.O. would go and see Major Archibald in the front trench. I set

off with two bearers and a stretcher, and found him in a side trench

close to Gully Beach. He was mortally wounded. I dressed him and left

him where he lay, in charge of an orderly. We now hurried back to the

mule track, the whole length of which we had to traverse. It had been

repeatedly and most thoroughly shelled from end to end during the day,

and we expected the Turk to sweep along it again at any minute. We had

just cleared it when this actually happened, and howls behind us took

us back to find that some Indians had been caught in the fire. A Sikh

had a leg almost entirely blown off. Though suffering badly he was

most plucky.

From that time onwards we had a steady flow of wounded, which still

goes on, but those now coming in are being dressed by the Regimental

M.O.'s before they are carried in by our bearers.

As far as I can gather from the wounded the Turks made an attack on

our extreme left at the very hour appointed for the attack by the

French and us. They came on four deep protected by their artillery

which blew in two of our front trenches, which were held by the

S.W.B.'s and Inniskillings. These had to retreat, as many as possible

through their communication trenches, but many had to get over the

parapets and rush back over the open. There were 500 Turks in this

part alone, and our men say only two ever returned, our men forming up

and charging quickly retook what they had lost. We have had several

K.O.S.B.'s from the centre where there was also an attack. These were

more successful from the beginning, and within fifteen minutes had

taken the Turks' first line.

_June 19th._--The above was not the end of last night's work. A little

after midnight we were requested to send a M.O. and as many nursing

orderlies as possible to the Inniskillings Aid Post, where they were

said to be overwhelmed with work. This was at the very top of The

Gully, three-quarters of a mile beyond our station. I jumped at the

opportunity of a little excitement, and set off with five orderlies.

We found the road dotted with dead mules and horses, but could not

find the M.O. for some time. At last he was roused out of his hole

half asleep. He said he had never sent for help, that they were quite

able to cope with the work, his men being at the time occupied with

cases, which seemed to be coming in fast. What cases he had we took

back with us, an Inniskilling who had a bad wound in the foot from a

grenade I helped back with his arm round my neck.

The guide who came for us deserted us half-way to the Aid Post, and on

returning I found him minus his equipment making himself comfortable

for the night in our gully. I ordered him off to the firing line

knowing that this was a favourite dodge to escape for a time. After

half an hour I found him in our cook house, when I took his number and

name to report him to his C.O. The man was in a state of funk, and

declared that the Turks would certainly break through before morning.

Believing that there might be some reason for his alarm I made sure

before starting that my loaded revolver was at my belt, in case of our

having to beat a retreat.

By 3 a.m. I was able to lie down for a short time, but another furious

attack by the Turks commenced at 4.15. Later in the day I was relieved

by Fiddes, and about 11 o'clock set off with Agassiz who had ridden

out from our base. On reaching Gully Beach we took the high road for

home, but opposite X. Beach the explosions of high explosive shells on

the road in front of us were too terrifying, and we descended to the

under-cliff road.

W. Beach had had the worst bombardment it had so far experienced

during the morning, hundreds of shells falling. Many horses and three

men were killed. At Corps H.Q. and V. Beach the same went on, and no

doubt with similar results.

_June 21st._--The A.D.M.S. Col. Yarr, called at 9 a.m. and asked me to

relieve him for the day, and I am now in his dugout at H.Q. of the 8th

Army Corps, perhaps the hottest place to shell fire on the whole

peninsula. I found six aeroplanes drawn up waiting for messages, and

before 10.30 we had twenty-nine shells all within a few yards of us.

Only very few exploded luckily, but the others buried themselves at

least six feet in the earth. H.Q. is a network of deep dugouts with

communication trenches, but a direct hit will pierce any one of them.

Already two have been struck since I arrived, and the wings carried

off a French biplane. They had 200 shells here yesterday, one of the

orderlies being killed and another has been showing me how his tunic

was riddled by pieces of a shell that exploded. The aeroplanes are

really the target aimed at. Two have just ascended, but as long as it

is daylight they will come and go. We usually get less fire when a few

of our planes are up, when the Turks' guns lie low not to give away

their positions.

Corps H.Q. is on the east side of the aerodrome, while our camp at W.

Beach is on the other. When I entered the mess for lunch the only

person there was an officer in a half faint, seated in a corner

glaring at a shell on the floor. This had come through the roof that

very minute and was luckily a "dud". The roof is made of heavy beams,

thick iron plates from the "River Clyde," sandbags and earth, but this

shell entered at the edge of the iron which did not project far enough

over the wall. The place had just been excavated and completed and was

used to-day for the first time. General Hunter-Weston and his staff

were present at lunch, also Compton Mackenzie, author and war

correspondent.

The French have been very busy all day. The Turks are only a little

less active from their having fewer guns--fifty-two on Achi Baba said

to be, and they must have six very big guns on the Asiatic side, and

these have been throwing huge shells into our lines, across Morto Bay,

all morning. Occasionally there is a burst of rifle fire which would

show that the French are making an attempt to regain two trenches I

hear they lost yesterday or the day before. It is said that to-day's

attack is to be entirely French. We are giving no help at present, but

for an hour in the early morning we bombarded, likely with the view to

distract the Turks' attention from the French front.

10.15 p.m.--The French are said to have been very successful in their

attack at 4.30, when they captured two Turkish trenches. The story

about their losing two trenches is said, at H.Q., to be incorrect.

About 8 o'clock a counter-attack was made, the result of which is not

yet known.

_June 22nd._--The fight between the French and the Turks raged without

the slightest intermission for seventeen hours, in which time the

former must have fired at least 60,000 shells. I hear the French had

taken either two or three trenches in the early morning, and during

the day had repulsed several counter-attacks. Just before dark I

observed the continuous bursting of French shells on the S.E. corner

of Achi Baba, as if the Turks were forced back out of Kereves Dere,

which has so long been a natural protection to them.

I have been asked to-day for a report of the case of ---- No. --, who

is to be court-martialled for spreading alarmist reports of the fight

the other day. The double charge of leaving the firing line without

permission and spreading alarmist reports is a serious one.

The last time Agassiz and I were at the Y. Beach O.P. we had peeps at

the Turks' trenches from four different points, and at each a bullet

flew past us, showing that their snipers keep their eyes open. Major

W---- and I were fired at the other day when out in the open, and we

had to take to our heels to find cover.

To-day the 5th Battalion Royal Scots have received the highest praise

from General Hunter-Weston for their brilliant work. They have three

times retaken trenches from the Turks that had been lost by our

Regulars. This is the only Territorial Battalion in the whole of our

Division, and was looked on by the others as our one weak point. Their

Lt.-Col. (Wilson) received the D.S.O. from His Majesty by cable the day

after he was recommended.

_Later._--The French captured five lines of trenches, a large concrete

redoubt, and possibly a battery, but there is some doubt about this

last. All are greatly satisfied at the result, although the cost to

the French was very heavy. A great number of Turks are said to have

been slaughtered and a large number taken prisoners, but so far I have

heard no exact figures.

_Still Later._--The French casualties are placed at 3000 and they are

said to have taken that number of prisoners, but as a man said to me,

"Where are they then, they must have buried them?" General

Hunter-Weston, I was told, "is as proud as a dog with two tails over

the French success".

A Taube visited us early and one of our biplanes gave chase and is

said to have winged it, as it was seen to descend behind Achi Baba,

while our airmen dropped bombs on it. I watched the chase as the two

circled about. While the chase was in progress a second Taube

appeared, and the coast being clear it flew round us and dropped a

couple of bombs.

Yesterday I passed in The Gully what remained of the Dublin

Fusiliers--less than a company. They were parading in their gas

respirators, their M.O. lecturing them, and saying that if a rifle is

a soldier's best friend, his respirator should come next. We are all

provided with these.

A strange occurrence happened the other day at W. Beach, when I was up

The Gully. A figure appeared over the sky line in petticoats, as it

was thought. Our men began yelling "A wuman, a wuman," and all tore

out to see what they had not seen for months. Lieut. Thomson and

Corporal Morrice were the most excited. These two have not yet got

over their disappointment on discovering this was an Egyptian--and a

male one--in a long coat.

_June 24th._--Whyte left us to-day on sick leave. There is a proposal

that the rest of us should get short leave--four days to Lemnos.

I have just had a visit from a couple of Senegalese--French troops.

They were going through our camp, grinning as only a nigger can, our

men making fun of them. One carried off a tin of jam in great glee.

They stopped at my dugout and I could not get rid of them till I gave

each a chunk of Turkish delight, which pleased them immensely. I had

to get rid of two sailors the same way yesterday, giving each a

Turkish nose cap. Every Turkish curio is valued in the Navy, extensive

barter being carried on between them and men ashore, whisky and all

sorts of goods being received by us.

10 p.m.--I have been watching a big green frog which came jumping

through our tents at a great speed, as if bound on business. He went

straight to the cook's tent and crept under the flap. Plainly he had

been there before. Flies are everywhere by the million, but he knew

where they were particularly plentiful. Half an hour ago I saw a

brilliant speck of light on a piece of heath, which I thought was too

bright to be the reflection of the moon from some bright object. I

found it came from an insect nearly one inch long, jointed like a

lobster, the glow coming from the last two joints on the under side.

Even when held close to the flame of a candle the apple-green glow was

still very bright.

_June 25th._--Walked to Aberdeen Gully, but nothing worth noting

to-day.

_June 26th._--Like yesterday an uneventful day--unless a visit from a

Taube is worth noting, and a thunderstorm over in Imbros. The sky has

been more or less cloudy, which is certainly unusual, while yesterday

in The Gully the heat was perhaps more trying than I ever felt it.

All preparations are ready for a very big day on Monday (28th) when

the Turks on our left are all to be blown sky high; such a bombardment

as Flanders has never seen the like of. So says General de Lisle who

has been in France from the beginning of the war until the other day,

when he became our Divisional-General.

_June 27th._--I went to Aberdeen Gully to-day with Kellas, Agassiz,

and Morris. We wondered if we could extend our accommodation for

wounded in anticipation of to-morrow's fight. We did nothing in that

direction, but Kellas getting a message to attend a meeting at Brigade

H.Q. as we went up The Gully, he brought up word that General de Lisle

wished us to open another dressing station, as far as I could make

out, in the slight dip immediately in front of our first firing line

to which we are expected to creep out, and dig ourselves in, and wait

for to-morrow's advance. I know the ground, and saw his sketch of the

site, and pronounced it impossible. We next went to Y. Beach and along

a small gully beside Gurkha Bluff, till we were stopped by our front

trenches, and could find no possible way of opening another station.

We next visited the A.D.M.S., Major Bell, who had not heard of this

suggestion.

The bombardment by the naval and field guns commences at 9 to-morrow,

and as Thomson and I, who are at present in reserve at W. Beach, are

both anxious to take part in what is likely to be one of our biggest

fights, we have permission to be out in Aberdeen Gully before it

starts. I have just been ordering breakfast for 6.45 to-morrow, the

cook remarking sarcastically to a bystander, "Widna five be a better

oor": "I dinna think ye shud gang to bed, min," was the reply.

We had seven aeroplanes up at one time this evening, viewing the land

and the movements of the Turks, preparing for to-morrow's row.

_June 28th._--After an early breakfast Thomson and I set off for

Aberdeen Gully, and as our three mule ambulance wagons were going up

for the day we had a ride in a four-in-hand to Gully Beach. All the

way out we watched the Turks' shells falling right along The Gully,

all the batteries, which are numerous there, getting their attentions,

while we sat and wondered what we were to do. At the foot of the steep

descent into Gully Beach Major Bell shouted to me from a high terrace

in which he lives, and advised us not to risk taking the wagons and

mules further, especially as mules were getting scarce and are very

valuable, so, after consulting with Col. O'Hagan, he suggested parking

them where they were. Col. O'Hagan, thinking this gave him the power

to do with our wagons as he liked, dared our men to do anything

without consulting him, otherwise he would put them under arrest--a

threat not much to the liking of Serg. Philip.

We now decided to give The Gully as wide a berth as possible and took

the track by the foot of the rocks to Y. Beach, about 2-1/4 miles

further on. The attack was to commence at 9 a.m. and we had

three-quarters of an hour to do this, climb the long, steep ascent at

Y. Beach, and cross by the sunk mule track to Aberdeen Gully. The guns

had been unusually active for the last two days, and to-day from

daybreak the heavy howitzers had been throwing shells among the Turks

to knock in their trenches, and these and many others were dropping

their shells a short way to our left as we crossed the mule track. The

heat by this time was intense, and I was absolutely soaked by the time

I reached the top of the cliff, scrambling through the Gurkha and Sikh

dugouts by the nearest cut possible, not much to their relish I

thought. Many of the Gurkhas were handling their knives, and one or

two sharpening them on stones. These knives of theirs are not so

sacred as some say they are, although I was once warned sharply not to

touch one I was to pick up beside its owner. I have often seen them

chopping wood and meat with these, hence the necessity for their

requiring sharpening this morning. Poor Gurkhas! later in the day some

of our men mistook them for Turks and mowed down seventy of them with

their machine-guns. In every battle we have had some such mistake, and

the Dublins in the afternoon had the same experience as the Gurkhas.

We were not many minutes in Aberdeen Gully when the Turks shrapnelled

the mule track very thoroughly, as they did in our last battle, and

wounded came in thick from here. Of course the Turks, by means of

spies, who are said to be numerous, knew the exact minute of the

attack, and were fully prepared to give us a hot time. The mule track

is merely an old trench widened and deepened, and when there is

fighting many troops pass along this, and the Turks guessed they could

get a rich harvest here.

From 9 to 11 every gun on the peninsula fired as fast as it could be

loaded--between 300 and 400 guns. We were in the thick of it, between

the two artillery lines, and the shells of both passed directly over

our heads. Orders to the artillery were that ammunition was not to be

spared.

At 11 the infantry assault on the first Turkish trench was to be made,

and the guns were then to lift and be trained on the third. All along

the first line seemed to fall easily, and many of our men rushed to

the second, some even taking a third, while a Scotch battalion even

took five. This sort of thing usually proves disastrous, as most of

our own big guns are out of sight of their objective, and fire

entirely by range, and in this case the guns were trained on the third

trench while this battalion rushed through to the fifth, with

calamitous results. This battalion--either Royal Scots, Scotch

Fusiliers, or K.O.S.B.'s I forget which--had lost all its officers,

but, with no one to lead them, they dashed on, greatly to the

admiration of all onlookers. Two Munster officers had finally to go

forward and recall them. Pushing forward at this rate, even apart from

the chance of running into your own artillery fire, generally ends

disastrously; if too much progress is made we can rarely retain our

position.

The Turks were entirely demoralised by the heavy bombardment and

cleared out of their trenches, some of our men, as they came to us

wounded, complaining that they ran so fast that they could not get

near them. Many got down on their knees and surrendered, still

shouting their war cry, "Allah, Allah".

Large bodies of prisoners, all motley crews, passed us during the day,

and we had a good many wounded Turks to attend to. I dressed one I was

much interested in--a short, swarthy chap of middle age, who was

brought in by some Fusiliers. This man had jumped on the parapet of

his trench, where he coolly stood upright and shot five Fusiliers dead

before they managed to bowl him over, but a shattered left arm left

him helpless. He walked in with about sixty other prisoners, with a

bullet through his upper jaw and tongue, which had come out at the

back of his neck; another shattered completely his left arm, the

splintered humerus being at a very sharp angle, and a third through

his thigh. He had lost much blood from the divided brachial artery,

and was very thirsty, and soon drained the fill of a feeding cup of

water, in spite of the state of his mouth. He soon wanted more "su"

(Turkish for "water") and was given a bowlful, but he would have

nothing to do with the bowl, he stuck his finger to its side to show

that he wanted the one with the spout. Evidently he was surprised I

did not cut his throat, and all the time I was dressing him he patted

me with his sound hand.

All the guns were trained on a small patch to begin with, a

troublesome part known as the "boomerang," a redoubt with sixteen

machine-guns. This was blown to smithereens.

The whole fight was on our extreme left, with a front of not much over

half a mile. This must have been very thoroughly ploughed up, and a

large number of Turks blown to pieces. One woman was found among the

dead, but it is believed that many of them had their wives with them.

Many of their underground dwellings were so elaborate that they had

evidently made up their minds that they were to spend the coming

winter here.

Our casualties, although light compared with the Turks, must be heavy.

Over 300 passed through our station before dark, but at that time

perhaps the bigger half was still to come. Those lying between

trenches have usually to lie where they fall till dark. Our losses

would likely be 3000 to 4000.

The Asiatic guns, finding they could take little active part in the

proceedings, although they fired occasionally on the French, amused

themselves by firing at W. Beach and the battery on Tekke Burnu, and

with forty-two shots managed to kill two men and wound eight. One of

our men, Corporal Dunn, got badly hit while in Aberdeen Gully by a

two-pound shell cap. It was due to the premature bursting of one of

our own shells. (Corporal Dunn died a day or two afterwards.) So far

the wounds received by our Ambulance have been slight.

Padre Creighton had a peculiar experience at 1 a.m. to-day, while

asleep in his "crow's nest". He has taken up his quarters with us in

Aberdeen Gully, and has a dugout about 15 feet above the path that

winds the length of our Gully. This is almost sheer up and is reached

by steps cut in the rock and sandbags. It was formed by levelling a

natural recess, and had a galvanised iron roof. Sheer up from this

again the rock rises another 70 or 80 feet to the mule track above. A

packhorse with two heavy tanks lost its footing on its way up and fell

crashing down on Creighton's place, carrying away the roof and a

number of sandbags, and dropping one of the boxes in the middle of his

bed. The padre escaped untouched. Kellas, sleeping further down the

path, rushed out and found himself face to face with the runaway

steed, which, still more strange to say, was also unhurt. The padre in

the bright moonlight was standing in his pyjamas on the top of his

steps, scratching his head, and wondering what it all meant.

The heat all through the day had been most trying, and as I trudged

down The Gully by myself, Thomson remaining behind, in the sweltering

heat, the whole way packed tight with ammunition and other wagons,

through a dust that filled The Gully to the very brim, I felt dead

tired after a hard day's work and the long tramp of yesterday, when we

looked in vain for a site for a new advanced dressing station. The

road seemed without end. As I neared "home" and came over the slight

rise at our cemetery the moon rose through a slight haze over the

classic Mount Ida, as a great blood-red ball, while on my other side,

out in the Gulf of Saros, a dense cloud hung over Imbros, which every

few seconds was lit up by a flash of lightning. I had little food all

day, and was too tired to eat, but after a big drink of lime juice I

retired to bed and slept the sleep of the just--of the tired at any

rate.

And so ended a day in which we had had a good specimen of a modern

battle, where both sides had shown equal and indomitable pluck.

_June 29th._--Spent the day resting and washing clothes. When I can I

have a washing day twice a week.

Many wounded passed through Aberdeen Gully after I left last night,

the total up to some hour this morning being 566, which meant a lot of

hard work.

After I left, Ashmead-Bartlett was passing, and recognising Padre

Creighton he went over our Gully, and greatly admired the place for

its suitability and picturesqueness, and is to give a description of

it in one of his early articles to the home papers--so he says. He

told our fellows the following story of a friend of his, who had been

through the landing of April 25. He wrote home saying that shells flew

thick about his ears, torpedoes chased him about, and mines floated

all round; still he was not in the least afraid, he just thought of

what his padre told them the previous Sunday, when he exhorted them

when in danger to look upwards. He looked upwards, and behold! here

was a bloody aeroplane dropping bombs.