World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula
All to-day there have been ceaseless artillery duels, warships and
shore batteries taking part. Never before have we had such shelling
from the Turks at Suvla. It has been one continual roar of guns from
early morning till dusk. At last, dusk arrives, which is welcomed with
general thanksgiving by the majority on the beach. News has just come
in that Bulgaria and Russia are practically at war, and this means
that in a few days Bulgaria will be an active enemy of ourselves as
well. The Bulgars no doubt will join the Turks at once, and life on the
beaches will become a hell in the true sense of the word. I hope that
we shall keep our end up and not be ignominiously defeated on this
Peninsula. There have been about sixty casualties to-day, killed and
wounded. Yet the work on the beach has to go steadily on all the time.
It has been much colder to-day, and some rain has fallen. At night we
have very heavy rain.
_October 9th._
A cool summer day. Shelled at 9.30 p.m. Troops arrive in large numbers.
They should have arrived last night at dark, but it was too rough to
land. Lord Howard de Walden comes down with news that drafts have
arrived unexpectedly for us as well, and we have to prepare for them.
Cannot reconcile the arrival of all these troops with the opinion that
we are here for the winter. Looks as if we are going to have another
battle. Turks very quiet this morning, yet they must see all these
troops arriving. We wonder that they do not shell them.
Go up to 86th and 88th Brigades with Way in the afternoon, and it makes
a very pleasant walk. Delightful country, and up at the Brigades it
seems quite restful after the shelled beaches. Pass General de Lisle on
the way up. Have tea at 86th, and call at 88th on the way back. General
Cayley had a narrow squeak, a splinter of the case of shrapnel coming
right through the roof of his dugout, just missing his head by inches.
He won’t have his roof sand-bagged. Water question for our Division now
settled, as we have found wells all over the place.
Just as it is getting dusk 8·2 Turkish gun opens fire on H.M.S.
_Glory_, but does not hit her, and _Prince George_ replies. Walker
arrives from Helles. I am now O.C. the 29th Division A.S.C. at Suvla,
as Carver has gone back to Helles. Large coveys of birds—I think they
are duck and crane—keep on swooping about over the Peninsula, and our
Tommies pot at them now and again.
_October 10th._
Colder this morning—but flies still damnable. Usual artillery duels,
but not so heavy as usual. Several officers leaving to join Allied
troops at Salonica. But later we hear that they have not been allowed
to land, as it is uncertain whether Greece is coming in against us.
Not much shelling all day. Colonel Ekin, 1st London, arrives at night
and we put him up, giving him dinner and a bed in our dugout. Very
decent old boy. He comes along with the most wonderful rumours, which
we drink in.
_October 11th._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account