World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula
Ride with Foley to Morto Bay for a bathe. Bay full of French and
Senegalese bathing. As we sat undressing, one big, burly fellow came
up to Foley and said, “Speak English, how do you do?” and held out his
hands. Foley was so taken aback that he shook hands. He then turned to
me, and showing his teeth, said, “Tobacco.” Being rather afraid that
he was going to bite me, I quickly took out my pouch and gave him a
handful. Then a sergeant, also a nigger, came running up, and ordered
him off, using most fearful language apparently, and away he went,
running like mad. They are fine-looking men. Morto Bay looking very
beautiful. I can imagine this a fine watering-place, after the war,
with promenade, gardens, hotels, golf-links, etc.
Achi Baba looked a beautiful bronze colour, with patches of green. The
Dardanelles show a deep blue colour, gradually blending into the purple
of the Asiatic side, with its background of mountains. At the entrance,
little mine-sweepers are on duty. The beach is full of naked black and
white figures bathing, and the country in the background is dotted with
French camps. The firing-line in the distance, and our guns popping off
at intervals, and enemy shells now and again whistling overhead—such is
the environment in which we have our bathe.
Foley suggests riding back through Sed-el-Bahr, which we do, and we
were fortunate in doing so, as eight shells, beautifully placed,
exploded just over the road that we otherwise should have taken, and at
about the time that we should have been passing along it.
_10.30 p.m._
Bit of the Turkish attack going on. Heavy rifle fire. “75’s” very
angry, and beating all known records of rapid fire. Their song sings me
to sleep. I am not afraid of shells when I am sleeping.
_June 2nd._
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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