Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Auckland Regiment

IX. June and July

page 50

IX. June and July

"Heat like the mouth of a hell, or a deluge of cataract skies,
Stench of old offal decaying, and infinite torment of flies."

From June 9th to August 5th, the Battalion did two spells in the line at Courtenay's Post and one at Quinn's. Between whiles it was in local reserve in Monash Valley, working, waiting, and "hanging on."

Courtenay's Post was taken over on the night of June 25th/26th. After Quinn's, it was a haven of rest. Two nights later, the Turks made their final attack at Anzac. Enver Pasha had arrived with fresh battalions and much ammunition. He was dissatisfied with the results of the campaign. The mere holding of position did not satisfy him. The challenge that was menacing the safety of the Turkish Empire had not only to be countered, but smashed. Liman von Sanders had learned his lesson, but the fierce young Turk would not listen to stories of previous defeat. At midnight on the night of June 29th every Turkish gun that could be brought to bear deluged the Anzac lines with shrapnel and high explosive in a sustained burst of fire, that continued for over half an hour. The massed Turkish columns of assault came forward steadily and bravely, only to be caught in the search-lights of the destroyers. They came on in vain against the steady lines of cool and determined riflemen. This attack was not pressed home in the vicinity of Courtenay's, and the preliminary shell fire had practically no effect on the deep, well-constructed trenches.

The trench line here, continuing on from Quinn's, ran along the crest of the ridge which fell away somewhat steeply below. Terraces had been cut on the steep slope for the accommodation of the supporting companies. "War is a frenzied burrowing competition, varied by tossing unpleasant missiles at one page 51another." The particular brand of unpleasant missile in favour with Johnny Turk who manned this sector was the catapult bomb. The catapult bomb, though an ingenious device, was not remarkable for its accuracy. The Turks, in trying for the trench line, not infrequently put on a little too much elevation, with the result that the bomb rolled nicely down the slope and created a nuisance amongst the terrace-dwellers. One over-throw landed fair in the midst of a party all congregated round a dixie, and caused terrible havoc. Lieut. King and nine others, including Mick Boyle, were wounded, and three or four killed. This proved a great incentive to the rapid completion of bomb-proofs in this locality.

Trench warfare here was quiet, mainly owing to the excellence of the trenches and the shortage on both sides of trench mortars—always excepting the catapult—and howitzers. The most offensive people were the snipers, of whom McCready and Fox were two of the most prominent. It was McCready who fought the duel with the mountain gun which the Turks had installed in their front line. This fired from a square black embrasure in the parapet. It fired and then swung out of sight to be reloaded. A quick shot could fire one round before and one after the discharge of this gun before it dropped out of sight, getting back into cover himself while the shell burst. The gun and McCready both did some very pretty shooting, and both lived to fight another day.

No-Man's Land being four hundred yards wide gave quite a restful sense of security. There was no longer the ever-present expectation of going to Heaven on top of a mine explosion; and even the most expert Turk could hardly throw hand grenades such a distance. Shrapnel and snipers were only a source of danger to people who exposed them-serves above the parapet. In these happy circumstances Capt. Sinel and his 6th Company held a concert in their front-line trench, which proved a fine success. Here, perhaps, one may be pardoned a slight digression to mention Capt. Sinel for the continuous good work he had performed from the landing right on. He did well the first day, and supremely well during the page 52confusion and butchery at Krithia. Of the Battalion officers who had landed on the 25th, he and Capt. Algie were the only two still remaining.

On July 8th the Battalion was relieved and went into reserve in Monash, during which time Lieut. Simpson was killed by a sniper. Eight days later Otago were once more relieved in Courtenay's, which was held for a further period of eight days—a very quiet time.

The 21st July is a specially notable date. On this day gas helmets were issued to all ranks, with instructions as to their use. War was at any rate commencing to be more scientific. Fortunately, the Turks made no use of the deadly stuff. If they had done so, Anzac would have been quite untenable. The valleys and rest camps would have acted as natural sinks, where gas once accumulating would have hung about indefinitely. Moreover, with the enemy so short a distance away, holding higher ground, and having all the advantage of the wind, any effective retaliation would have been quite impossible.

The 31st July marks a very convenient break in the Battalion's history. During this period two great battles had been fought, the line held for several weeks, and two raids carried out. The losses had been extremely heavy. Of the original twenty-six officers who had landed the first day only three were still unhit—Captains Wallingford, Sinel and Algie, It is very difficult to determine exactly what number of casual-ties had occurred, The Battalion diaries are on this particular point certainly inaccurate. This is easily accounted for when the heavy losses, the constant changes in the personnel of the administrative staff, and the great difficulty in carrying out clerical work are considered.

Eleven hundred men actually embarked on the Lutzow. 1050 landed the first day. After the assault on Krithia 265 were left. 200 reinforcements brought this number to 468. Quinn's Post and incidental casualties reduced the strength to 326. The Fourth Reinforcement brought that total to 624. During June and July a very great number of men were evacu-page 53ated sick. The total fighting strength at the beginning of August was not very much more than 500.

A certain number of decorations and mentions in despatches had been awarded to various officers and men. Colonel Plugge received the C.M.G., and was also twice mentioned in despatches. Captain Wallingford won the M.C., while Sergt. Tilsley and Corporal W. J. Reid were awarded the D.C.M. Major T. H. Dawson was twice mentioned in despatches.

The following N.C.O.'s had been promoted on the field to commissioned rank:—R.S.M. Mooney, Sergt.-Major Fletcher, and Sergeants Ward and Graham Reid.

Toward the end of July Dr. Craig returned, and as he went up to Battalion Headquarters the men turned out and cheered him. This is an honour that was accorded to very few New Zealanders during the war.