Trooper Bluegum at the Dardanelles: Descriptive Narratives of the More Desperate Engagements on the Gallipoli PeninsulaHogue, Oliver
History
Trooper Bluegum at the Dardanelles: Descriptive Narratives of the More Desperate Engagements on the Gallipoli Peninsula
Hogue, Oliver
World War, 1914-1918 -- Campaigns -- Turkey -- Gallipoli Peninsula; World War, 1914-1918 -- Personal narratives, Australian
Midgley's gallant Myrmidons effected a splendid withdrawal, for after
they had cleaned out the Turks' advance trench they came back to our
lines with only one man wounded in the leg. When he came in Major
Midgley reported to the General: "We've got 'em stone cold. My birds
simply bombed them out, cleaned out the trench, bagged about thirty,
and are now back for breakfast."
CHAPTER XIX
LONESOME PINE
A MEMORABLE ENGAGEMENT--TARDY BRITISH ADVANCE--SIR IAN HAMILTON'S
MESSAGE--FIVE DAYS' FIGHTING--OUR GALLANT INFANTRY--OFFICERS WHO
FELL--HOT BAYONET WORK--THE NAVY SPEAKS--LONE PINE TAKEN
August on Gallipoli will be long remembered by the Australian troops on
account of the terrific fighting in which they participated. July was
fairly quiet. But August witnessed the great flanking movement of the
British troops, which we were confident at the time would result in the
final defeat of the Turks on the Peninsula.
The new movement took the form of an attack and demonstration in front,
while under cover of darkness a new British force landed at Suvla Bay
and enveloped the enemy's flank. In the better understood parlance of
the ring, we feinted with our right, and landed a terrific blow with
our left. So successful was this feint that all the local reserves of
the Turks were hurried up to counter it, thus leaving an opening for
the main attack from Suvla.
All the honour and glory of the magnificent charge of our Australians
and the capture of Lone Pine Ridge belongs to our infantry comrades of
the 1st Brigade. We of the Light Horse can claim none of the kudos for
that gallant feat of arms, though the 2nd Light Horse Brigade and 2nd
Infantry Brigade fought like tigers day after day and night after night
to hold the line during the consequent counter-attacks.
There was some fierce and bloody fighting during those early days of
August all along the line, but the capture of Lone Pine Ridge stands
out, not only because of the complete success of the operation but on
account of the irresistible dash and daring of the lads from New South
Wales.
Just before the battle we got a message from Sir Ian Hamilton. It
was in a Special Order issued from the general headquarters of the
Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and was as follows:--
_"August 5, 1915._
"Soldiers of the old army and the new:--
"Some of you have already won imperishable renown at our first
landing, or have since built up our foothold upon the peninsula, yard
by yard, with deeds of heroism and endurance. Others have arrived
just in time to take part in our next great fight against Germany and
Turkey, the would-be oppressors of the rest of the human race.
"You, veterans, are about to add fresh lustre to your arms. Happen
what may, so much at least is certain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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