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 bridge to the shore, though now passable, could not be used by the
troops, anyone appearing on it being instantly shot down, and the men
in _River Clyde_ remained in her till nightfall.
At 9.50 a.m. _Albion_ sent in launch and pinnace manned by volunteer
crews to assist in completing bridge, which did not quite reach beach;
these boats, however, could not be got into position until dark owing
to heavy fire.
It had already been decided not to continue to disembark on V beach,
and all other troops intended for this beach were diverted to W.
The position remained unchanged on V beach throughout the day, men of
war and the maxims mounted in _River Clyde_ doing their utmost to keep
down the fire directed on the men under partial shelter on the beach.
During this period many heroic deeds were performed in rescuing wounded
men in the water.
During the night of the 25-26 the troops in _River Clyde_ were able
to disembark under cover of darkness and obtain some shelter on the
beach and in the village of Seddul Bahr, for possession of which now
commenced a most stubborn fight.
H.M.S. "ALBION'S" GUNFIRE
The fight continued, supported ably by gunfire from H.M.S. _Albion_,
until 1.24 p.m., when our troops had gained a position from which they
assaulted Hill 141, which dominated the situation. _Albion_ then ceased
fire, and the hill, with old fort on top, was most gallantly stormed by
the troops, led by Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. H. Doughty-Wylie, General
Staff, who fell as the position was won. The taking of this hill
effectively cleared the enemy from the neighbourhood of the V beach,
which could now be used for the disembarkation of the allied armies.
The capture of this beach called for a display of the utmost gallantry
and perseverance from the officers and men of both services--that they
successfully accomplished their task bordered on the miraculous.
FRENCH LANDING
_Landing on the "Camber," Seddul Bahr._--One half company Royal Dublin
Fusiliers landed here, without opposition, the _Camber_ being "dead
ground." The advance from the _Camber_, however, was only possible on a
narrow front, and after several attempts to enter the village of Seddul
Bahr this half company had to withdraw after suffering heavy losses.
_Landing at "De Totts" S Beach._--The 2nd South Wales Borderers (less
one company) and a detachment 2nd London Field Company R.E. were landed
in boats, convoyed by _Cornwallis_, and covered by that ship and _Lord
Nelson_.
Little opposition was encountered, and the hill was soon in the
possession of the South Wales Borderers. The enemy attacked this
position on the evening of the 25th and during the 26th, but our troops
were firmly established and with the assistance of the covering ships
all attacks were easily beaten off.
_Landing at Kum Kale._--The landing here was undertaken by the French.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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