World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula
At 2 p.m. I ride up with Phillips to Pink Farm, and leaving our horses,
we walk up the communication trench to Brigade H.Q. Bullets very free
overhead, and we keep our heads low. R.M.L.I. going up to the trenches.
Some of them look quite young boys, and all look hot and tired and
serious.
I find the Brigade have gone back to Gully Beach. We were badly cut up
in yesterday’s battle. Day and Black have gone, good pals of mine, both
killed. This is the most horrible side of war. They were so merry and
bright along the beach a few days ago. It seems that all the best go.
Come back to Pink Farm, passing Jennings going up. Turkish attack
starts, and our artillery gets on to them, but they still come on
determinedly, and seem very cocksure of themselves.
Ride over to Gully Beach and see remnants of the Brigade along cliffs
again. What a change to two days ago! Tommies cooking their meals,
talking over yesterday’s battle and pals that have been killed. I look
for Day and Black instinctively, but of course in vain. The beach looks
blank and depressing. Algy Wood is still there, however; wonderful man,
been through everything and not been hit, and thank God for it. Poor
old 88th!
Come back to “W” Beach and find them shelling us, just to show us they
are still very much alive.
Hear that another landing has taken place, and was successful, at Suvla
Bay.
Artillery duels and rifle fire still continue. Destroyers make a dash
up Straits as far as just above De Tott’s Battery, and have a bit of a
duel with land batteries. Shrapnel playing all over them.
I think fighting will go on steadily here now with no more delay, for
it is vital to the Allies that the Dardanelles be forced, and when they
are forced, good-bye to Turk, and Germany look out! We have got to get
all our own back—and more.
_8 p.m._
Very heavy rifle fire opens, and Turkish attack takes place. Just what
we want; they might just as well run their heads against a brick wall,
but no doubt they think that they will eventually break through our
line and round us up, or drive us into the sea.
_August 8th._
Rather a stormy day. Not much shelling on “W” Beach.
One can see plainly through glasses where the new landing has taken
place; hospital ships, transports, destroyers, and three battleships
are off there. Rumour hath it that the landing was successful, and
that they are advancing across the Peninsula. Heavy firing goes on all
day from batteries on shore and warships on sea, answered but feebly
by Turkish batteries, which, however, do not fail to pay their usual
unwelcome attention to “W” Beach.
A Turkish battleship, on the way down here to support land forces, was
sunk to-day by one of our submarines, which is a great event.
Heavy artillery fire goes on to-night on our left.
_August 9th._
Usual shelling, and some nasty ones amongst them.
Ride up the gully and have a good gallop on a new little horse with
Williams.
_Afternoon._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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