THE “FLOOD”
[The following extract from a letter written by Corporal Guy Silk, 2nd
Battalion Royal Fusiliers, has been very kindly placed at my disposal.
It describes a phase of life in Gallipoli of which little or nothing
has been published--the storms and floods with which our troops had to
contend in the now abandoned operations.]
I have been wondering how you are getting on, and if you have been
worrying over the absence of letters. There has only been one chance of
sending a letter, and then I sent a card in an envelope to let you know
that I was well. We have been through some terrible experiences since I
last sent a proper letter, on November 25th.
On the 26th we had one more of those terrible storms, and suddenly,
as I was mopping some water from the dug-out floor, a “tidal wave”
burst in, and I just had time to seize the Company Roll, my diary and
letters, Horlick’s Malted Milk, and my rifle and bandolier. Then I
climbed out of the dug-out, on to the parapet! The first, or rather
second time I had done so (the first was to pick some tomatoes).
By this time the trenches were completely flooded, and the whole valley
was covered with water ankle-deep. As the lightning flashed I saw a
group of fellows near me, and they joined me on my mound. All around
were similar groups. We laughed and pretended to be enjoying it, so as
to keep our spirits up.
The water rose and rose, and when it was knee-deep we started off for a
piece of higher ground we saw in the distance. We were in to the waist,
and the current was tremendous. We settled down on this mound--the
first one we saw proved to be just a clump of weed tops. The regimental
sergeant-major joined us, but was nearly unconscious, and suffering
with ague. I laid him on my lap, and there we stayed until daylight.
It was bitterly and painfully cold, and a curious sight too, when we
first saw the huge mass of water and groups of wet men. I took the
S.-M. on to headquarters, and there he was undressed and rubbed and
wrapped in some dry blankets. Then our company sergeant-major was
brought down, quite delirious, and Jackson and I took him on to the
clearing-station.
It was fine to get on to higher ground out of the water. I reckon this
walking saved me. I went back to the company, and found the water had
gone from the ground in the valley, and the chaps were lying in hastily
constructed breastworks behind the rear parapet.
The trenches were like canals, and were acting as drains. The Turks
shelled a lot. This was on Saturday. In the evening and early morning
of Sunday it snowed and froze, and on Sunday at daybreak we were
ordered to find our way to the brigade “dump.” At about midday we got
some food and dry clothes. It was grand, after two nights and a day of
sodden and frozen things.
We had a roll-call on Monday, and we were 63--on the Friday afternoon
we were 600 odd. I was made corporal--Baldion said I must be, so as
to “help to hold the fellows together,” and for a few days was acting
company S.-M.!
We expected to go to Alexandria, but had to stay to drain the trenches.
A big draft joined us, and did most of the work, our feet were too
sore. (I spent one whole day rubbing feet--a savoury job, since baths
are unheard of.)
On the Thursday after the “Flood” (everything dates from the “Flood”
now) we went to find equipment, and the ground was covered with bodies.
We are back on the Achi Baba end now, but have not quite given up hopes
of a rest, at least for the “survivors.” I am orderly-room corporal
now. Nearly all of us are employed at headquarters, so except for
shells I am pretty safe, as we don’t have to make advances.
We have had no mail since before the “Flood,” but hope to get one soon.
Please tell Aunt ---- I received and enjoyed her parcel (some was lost,
buried when the trench fell in), and explain why I haven’t answered to
thank her for it. Let every one know I am still alive in spite of the
long silence. We heard to-night that no mail is leaving for three weeks
from to-morrow. The sketch-book has gone. I found it, but it was “done.”
We had a busy time when the “Flood” had abated, and I was continually
taking my section out, digging up rifles and equipment, and we were all
able to make up our losses in the way of shaving apparatus, knives and
forks, etc. It was hard work, as the trench bottoms are knee-deep in
mud. We wore waders.
[Illustration:
_To face p. 133._
DEVASTATION IN BELGIUM: RUINS IN THE FLOODS OF YSER.]