[6] At page 281 of Messrs. Dent’s edition of _Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatches_ the following note occurs at this point: “This is incorrect. There were no bridgeheads at this time and the crossings were forced by the 52nd Division at the opening of their attack.” 53RD (WELSH) DIVISION FIRST LINE The Division landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli, between 7th and 10th August, 1915, and became a part of the larger force which landed a few days earlier. In his despatch of 11th December, 1915, Sir Ian Hamilton describes the attempt made on the 9th August by the 11th Division to seize hills north of Anafarta-Sagir. He remarked, “The line was later on prolonged by the remainder of the 34th Brigade and two battalions of the 159th Brigade of the 53rd Division. Their right was connected with the Chocolate Hills by the 33rd Brigade.” “Some of the units which took part in this engagement acquitted themselves very bravely. I regret I have not had sufficient detail given me to mention them by name. The Divisional Commander speaks with appreciation of one freshly landed battalion of the 53rd Division, a Hereford battalion, presumably the 1/1st Herefordshire, which attacked with impetuosity and courage.” “During the night of the 8th and 9th and early morning of the 9th the whole of the 53rd (Territorial) Division (my general reserve) had arrived and disembarked.... I had ordered it up to Suvla.” “The infantry brigades of the 53rd Division (no artillery had accompanied it from England) reinforced the 11th Division.” The next paragraph shows that the 53rd Division took part in another attack on the 10th which failed. “Many of the battalions fought with great gallantry and were led forward with much devotion by their officers.” The 53rd Division along with the 54th were engaged on the 21st August, the “Battle of Scimitar Hill.” They were to hold the enemy while the 29th and 11th Divisions attacked. The attack was not successful. The troops at Suvla were evacuated in December 1915, the operation being successfully completed on the night of 19th-20th December. The Division was taken to Egypt, and in his despatch of 1st June, 1916, paragraph 1, Sir A. Murray stated that the Division was early that year “occupied in operations on the Western Frontier of Egypt.” Sir A. Murray in his despatch of 1st October, 1916, paragraph 5, refers to the fighting in August, to the east of the Suez Canal, and a quotation as to the repulse of heavy attacks on 4th-5th August has already been given under the 52nd Division. This is now designated the “Battle of Rumani.” In his despatch of 28th June, 1917, paragraph 1, Sir A. Murray refers to the reconstitution of the “Desert Column” and mentions the 53rd Division as one of its units in March.