Sir Ian Hamilton's Despatches from the Dardanelles, etc.Hamilton, Ian
History
Sir Ian Hamilton's Despatches from the Dardanelles, etc.
Hamilton, Ian
World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula
The first momentum of this ponderous onslaught fell upon the right of
the 86th Brigade, an unlucky spot, seeing all the officers thereabouts
had already been killed or wounded. So when the Turks came right on
without firing and charged into the trenches with the bayonet they made
an ugly gap in the line. This gap was instantly filled by the 5th Royal
Scots (Territorials), who faced to their flank and executed a brilliant
bayonet charge against the enemy, and by the Essex Regiment detached
for the purpose by the Officer Commanding 88th Brigade. The rest of
the British line held its own with comparative ease, and it was not
found necessary to employ any portion of the reserve. The storm next
broke in fullest violence against the French left, which was held by
the Senegalese. Behind them were two British Field Artillery Brigades
and a Howitzer Battery. After several charges and counter-charges
the Senegalese began to give ground, and a company of the Worcester
Regiment and some gunners were sent forward to hold the gap. Later,
a second company of the Worcester Regiment was also sent up, and the
position was then maintained for the remainder of the night, although
about 2 a.m. it was found necessary to dispatch one battalion Royal
Naval Division to strengthen the extreme right of the French.
GENERAL ADVANCE OF OUR LINE
About 5 a.m. a counter-offensive was ordered, and the whole line began
to advance. By 7.30 a.m. the British left had gained some 500 yards,
and the centre had pushed the enemy back and inflicted heavy losses.
The right also had gained some ground in conjunction with the French
left, but the remainder of the French line was unable to progress. As
the British centre and left were now subjected to heavy cross fire from
concealed machine guns, it was found impossible to maintain the ground
gained, and therefore, about 11 a.m., the whole line withdrew to its
former trenches.
The net result of the operations was the repulse of the Turks and
the infliction upon them of very heavy losses. At first we had them
fairly on the run, and had it not been for those inventions of the
devil--machine guns and barbed wire--which suit the Turkish character
and tactics to perfection, we should not have stopped short of the
crest of Achi Babi. As it was, all brigades reported great numbers of
dead Turks in front of their lines, and 350 prisoners were left in our
hands.
On the 2nd, during the day, the enemy remained quiet, burying his dead
under a red crescent flag, a work with which we did not interfere.
Shortly after 9 p.m., however, they made another attack against the
whole Allied line, their chief effort being made against the French
front, where the ground favoured their approach. The attack was
repulsed with loss.
During the night 3rd/4th the French front was again subjected to a
heavy attack, which they were able to repulse without assistance from
my general reserve.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account