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
It was most important to prevent the enemy occupying positions in this
neighbourhood, whence he could bring gun fire to bear on the transports
off Cape Helles. It was also hoped that by holding this position it
would be possible to deal effectively with the enemy's guns on the
Asiatic shore immediately east of Kum Kale, which could fire into
Seddul Bahr and De Totts.
The French, after a heavy preliminary bombardment, commenced to land at
about 10 a.m., and by the afternoon the whole of their force had been
landed at Kum Kale. When they attempted to advance to Yeni Shehr, their
immediate objective, they were met by heavy fire from well-concealed
trenches, and were held up just south of Kum Kale village.
During the night of the 25th and 26th the enemy made several
counter-attacks, all of which were easily driven off; during one of
these 400 Turks were captured, their retreat being cut-off by the fire
from the battleships.
On the 26th, when it became apparent that no advance was possible
without entailing severe losses and the landing of large
reinforcements, the order was given for the French to withdraw and
re-embark, which operation was carried out without serious opposition.
CO-OPERATION OF ALLIES
I now propose to make the following more general remarks on the conduct
of the operations:
From the very first the co-operation between Army and Navy was most
happy; difficulties which arose were quickly surmounted, and nothing
could have exceeded the tactfulness and forethought of Sir Ian Hamilton
and his staff.
The loyal support which I received from Contre-Amiral E. P.
A. Guepratte simplified the task of landing the Allied armies
simultaneously.
RUSSIAN FLEET REPRESENTED
The Russian fleet was represented by H.I.R.M.S. _Askold_, which ship
was attached to the French squadron. Contre-Amiral Guepratte bears
testimony to the value of the support he received from Captain Ivanoff,
especially during the landing and re-embarkation of the French troops
at Kum Kale.
The detailed organization of the landing could not be commenced until
the Army Head-quarters returned from Egypt on April 10. The work to be
done was very great, and the naval personnel and material available
small.
Immediately on the arrival of the Army Staff at Mudros, committees,
composed of officers of both services, commenced to work out the
details of the landing operations, and it was due to these officers'
indefatigable efforts that the expedition was ready to land on April
22. The keenness displayed by the officers and men resulted in a good
standard of efficiency, especially in the case of the Australian and
New Zealand Corps, who appear to be natural boatmen.
CONTEMPT FOR DEATH
Such actions as the storming of the Seddul Bahr position by the 29th
Division must live in history for ever; innumerable deeds of heroism
and daring were performed; the gallantry and absolute contempt for
death displayed alone made the operations possible.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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