World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula; World War, 1914-1918 -- New Zealand
But the Australian effort from the right and centre of the Anzac
line had borne fruit, for at Rhododendron and on the Asma Dere, New
Zealanders and other Australians were advancing to the stronghold of
the Turk. Down at Suvla a great British landing was proceeding almost
unopposed.
Part II.
The Anzac Thrust for "971."
The attack from the left of Anzac was perhaps one of the most
complicated in history. The huge sprawling mass of the Sari Bair system
was broken by a multiplicity of water-courses, the sides of which were
often sheer cliffs, scored and fissured by torrential winter rains.
The only possible means of approaching the peaks was by way of these
water-courses. Now, it is a well-known military axiom that troops
cannot pass safely through a defile until the heights are made secure;
it was also known that no troops could push up through two and a half
miles of these savage, scrub-covered hills and be fit to fight a battle
with a fresh, determined foe at the top. So the work had to be mapped
out in stages.
[Illustration: A SKETCH MAP TO ILLUSTRATE THE BATTLE OF SARI
BAIR.
The area represented is about 5,400 yards by 3,000 yards. The distance
from the mouth of the Sazli Beit Dere to the Apex is approximately
2,300 yards; and about 3,700 yards to the top of Hill 971.]
Soldiers know that with more than one body of troops operating there
is always a risk of someone being late. In night operations this risk
is intensified. Further, it is very difficult to fit in what the staff
officers call their "time and space problem." The men could not all go
up one gully. They would arrive at the top a few men at a time, and
could not attack on a broad enough front, but only at one point. So it
was arranged that the force under the command of Major-General Godley
should be divided into four columns--two to break the line and open up
the lower parts of the deres; the other two following shortly after,
and proceeding up the three main deres, pass through the covering
forces to the assault of Chunuk Bair, Hill Q, and Koja Chemen Tepe.
During the nights of August 3, 4, and 5, the New Army troops were
landed at Anzac, marched along the "Big Sap" to their prepared bivouacs
on the hillside, and remained under cover until the eventful night. The
29th Indian Brigade, consisting of one Sikh and three Ghurka regiments,
also arrived and went to their allotted place on the left. This made
available:-
The N.Z. and Australian Division (less the Australian Light Horse),
who were at Quinn's, Pope's, Russell's Top, and Walker's Ridge.
The 13th (New Army) Division (less five battalions).
The 29th Indian Infantry Brigade; and
The Indian Mountain Artillery Brigade.
The Organization of General Godley's Army.
Right Covering Force--(Brigadier-General A. H. Russell):
New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade;
Otago Mounted Rifles Regiment;
Maori Contingent;
Field Troop, N.Z. Engineers.
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