It is no exaggeration to call this achievement one without parallel. To discharge and withdraw from a bold and active enemy is the most difficult of all military operations; and in this case the withdrawal was effected by surprise, with the opposing forces at close grips--in many cases within a few yards of each other. Such an operation, when succeeded by a re-embarkation from an open beach, is one for which military history contains no precedent. During the past months the troops of Great Britain and Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, Newfoundland and India fighting side by side have invariably proved their superiority over the enemy, have contained the best fighting troops in the Ottoman Army in their front, and have prevented the Germans from employing their Turkish allies against us elsewhere. No soldier relishes undertaking a withdrawal from before the enemy. It is hard to leave behind the graves of good comrades, and to relinquish positions so hardly won and so gallantly maintained as those we have left. But all ranks in the Dardanelles Army will realize that in this matter they were but carrying out the orders of his Majesty’s Government, so that they might in due course be more usefully employed in fighting elsewhere for their King, their country and the Empire. There is one only consideration--what is best for the furtherance of the common cause. In that spirit the withdrawal was carried out, and in that spirit the Australian and New Zealand and the 9th Army Corps have proved, and will continue to prove, themselves second to none as soldiers of the empire. A. LYNDEN BELL, _Major-General_. Chief of the General Staff, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. There was also posted for our information an exchange of telegrams between King George and Sir Charles Monro, Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, which should also be given here. From Buckingham Palace came the following to Sir Charles Monro: December 20th, 1915. It gives me the greatest satisfaction to hear of the successful evacuation of “Suvla” and “Anzac” without loss of troops or guns. Please convey to General Birdwood and those under his command my congratulations upon the able manner in which they have carried out so difficult an operation. GEORGE, R. I. And the reply was: December 21st, 1915. TO HIS MAJESTY THE KING: I have communicated your Majesty’s gracious message to General Birdwood and the Dardanelles Army. In their behalf and my own I beg to give expression to the deep gratification felt by all ranks at your Majesty’s encouraging words of congratulation. The troops are only inspired by a desire to be employed as soon as possible wherever their services may be used to best advantage against your Majesty’s enemies. SIR CHARLES MONRO, Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.