World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula; World War, 1914-1918 -- New Zealand
That same month, the New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade was called
in to the Dardanelles. We wanted every New Zealander we could
get. The brigade, destined to become so famous, was commanded by
Brigadier-General Russell, now Major-General Sir Andrew Russell,
K.C.B., K.C.M.G. They came dismounted, torn in two betwixt grief at
parting with their horses and a longing to play their part on the
Peninsula. They turned up, as is their way, in the nick of time, and
were put into the trenches at once.
On one of the first days of July, the Maoris appeared upon the
Peninsula. General Godley had informed me that all ranks were anxious
to have them, so I cabled to Lord Kitchener, and I have always been
thankful that he permitted them to come along. They were received with
open arms by their compatriots, and I may say here at once that they
proved themselves worthy descendants of the chivalrous warriors of the
olden days, and remembered, in the fiercest battles, the last words of
Hongi Hika: "Be brave that you may live."
[Illustration: LIEUT.-COLONEL W. G. MALONE
Wellington Infantry Battalion
(_Killed in action._)]
No doubt the history to which these words are a preface will tell the
tale of the trench warfare of June and July; here I will only remark
that the New Zealanders helped themselves to a liberal allowance of all
that was going in the way of bombs, onslaughts, and generally, hard
knocks.
On August 6, took place the great attack on Sari Bair. To the New
Zealand Mounted Rifles (Brigadier-General Russell) fell the honour
of covering the assault, and the New Zealand Infantry Brigade
(Brigadier-General Earl Johnston) formed the right assaulting column.
During the four days' desperate fighting, which included night marches
through the worst country imaginable, steep, scrub-covered spurs, sheer
cliffs and narrow winding ravines, these two brigades and the Maoris
wrested from a brave and numerous enemy the footing on the Ridge which
they held till the bitter end.
Brilliant leadership was shown by Lieut.-Colonel A. Bauchop, commanding
the Otago Mounted Rifles, and Lieut.-Colonel W. G. Malone, Wellington
Battalion, during this battle, wherein Corporal Bassett, of the
Divisional Signal Company, won a well-earned V.C. I lay a very special
stress on the deeds of Bauchop and Malone. These two heroes were killed
whilst leading their men with absolute contempt of danger--Bauchop
after having captured what was afterwards known as Bauchop's Hill,
and Malone on the very summit of Chunuk Bair. Both Bauchop and Malone
were soldiers of great mark and, above all, fearless leaders of men.
Where so many, living longer, have achieved distinction, it is quite
necessary that New Zealand should bear the names of these two gallant
soldiers in tender remembrance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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