World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula
This morning the Fleet and the few guns which are on shore are
bombarding the Turkish positions heavily, and the slopes of Achi Baba
are alive with bursting shrapnel and spouts of earth and smoke shooting
skywards, but through it all Achi Baba looks calm, dignified, and
formidable, like a great giant saying “Thus far and no further.” Verily
it looks the fortress gate of the Peninsula, and we are but on the
threshold, or rather on the footpath leading to the threshold. Turkish
artillery replies but feebly with shrapnel, but the shooting appears
good.
I hear the crackle of rifle fire and learn that we are again attacking.
Good luck to the 29th!
_Afternoon._
Guns of the Fleet and shore batteries steadily boom away. Rifle fire
has died down. Wounded are beginning steadily to come in, and as fast
as possible are evacuated on to hospital ships. I go up to Headquarters
and find site for dump for rations retired somewhat. I passed many
wounded and stretcher-bearers coming back. I saw Colonel Williams, our
new Brigadier, calmly walking about in the most exposed positions. A
regiment of Gurkhas are on the right of our line, and those in support
have dug themselves each a little dugout, just room enough for a man
to lie in, rolled up. These little dugouts are in regular lines, and
each one being occupied with a little Gurkha makes a most quaint scene.
I take snaps of one or two, to their intense delight. They look very
workmanlike in their shirts, wide hats, and shorts.
It is now dusk and we hear that we advanced, but soon after had to
return to our former positions. We are now badly outnumbered. The enemy
have lately received many reinforcements, and are receiving them daily.
We want several more Divisions to carry this business through. We have
dinner, and I go to bed rather depressed. Heavy rifle fire bursts out
at night, and in the middle of the night our Adjutant has to get up and
organize a convoy of pack-mules to take up ammunition.
_May 3rd._
It is a perfect morning, but it is getting very hot. I ride up about
10 a.m. with the company sergeant-major to as far as the furthest of
the white pillars, and there we tether our horses to a tree and walk
the rest of the way up the white road. All is absolutely quiet on the
front—not a shell, not a rifle shot.
All firing from the Fleet has ceased, and the gunners on shore are busy
cleaning their guns and digging gun-pits and dugouts. It is quiet and
peaceful. At the front line I cannot see any signs of the enemy. I chat
with Major Barlow of the Essex, who was at Warwick with me. He is now
O.C. Essex. It is strange being without the roar of the guns once more.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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