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Page 17
The New Zealanders held a concert here one night. Major Johnston, the
O.C., filled the position of chairman, the chair being a cask. One man
with a cornet proved a good performer; several others sang, while some
gave recitations. We all sat round in various places in the gully, and
joined in the choruses. It was very enjoyable while it lasted; but, as
darkness came on, rifle-fire began on the tops of the surrounding
hills--also, occasionally, shell fire. This completely drowned the
sound of the performers' voices, and the concert had to be brought to
a close; Abdul had counted us out.
PREPARING FOR THE ADVANCE
Towards the end of July great preparations were made for an offensive
movement, the object being to take Hill 971 and so turn the Turk's
right. Large platforms were dug out of the hillsides in Monash Gully,
each capable of holding three to five hundred men; they were
constructed well below the sky line, and were fairly secure from shell
fire. On these the incoming battalions were placed. There was not much
room for sleep, but the main object seemed to be to have as many men
handy as possible. The Turks seemed to be aware of the influx of
troops, as they shelled the whole position almost all night. The
beach, of course, was attended to most fervently, but considering the
numbers of men landing few casualties occurred.
A 4.7 naval gun, which, I understand, had served in the relief of
Ladysmith, was swathed in bags and landed on a barge, which conveyed
it to a position alongside the pier. A party was put on to make a
shield on the pier of boxes of our faithful friends the
"forty-niners," in case there were any Turks of an enquiring turn of
mind along the beach towards Suvla.
The Engineers then constructed a landing place, and the gun was hauled
ashore, again covered up, and conveyed to its position on our right
during the night. General Birdwood outwitted the Turks that time, as
they did not fire a shot during the whole operation.
On the third of August we received orders to remove to the left flank,
the right being held by the Australian Division which participated in
the operation known afterwards as Lone Pine. The last day on the beach
proved to be pretty hot with shelling, chiefly from Beachy Bill. A
number of pinnaces were busy all day towing in barges from the
transports, and this could be easily seen from the olive grove where
Bill had his lair. At one time the shells came over like rain; two of
the pinnaces were hit below the water-line, and were in imminent
danger of sinking. Through all the shelling Commander Cater ran along
the pier to give some direction regarding the pinnaces, but was killed
before he got there. He was a brave man, and always very courteous and
considerate.
Our casualties during this afternoon were pretty considerable, and our
stretcher-bearers were constantly on the "go" getting men under
shelter.
Early in the morning the Ghurkas came ashore, but the Turks spotted
them, and gave them a cordial welcome to Anzac. They are a small-sized
set of men, very dark (almost black), with Mongol type of face and
very stolid. One was killed while landing. They were evidently not
accustomed to shell-fire, and at first were rather scared, but were
soon reassured when we told them where to stand in safety. Each
carried in addition to his rifle a Kukri--a heavy, sharp knife, shaped
something like a reaping-hook, though with a curve not quite so
pronounced. It was carried in a leather case, and was as keen as a
razor. I believe the Ghurkas' particular delight is to use it in
lopping off arms at the shoulder-joint. As events turned out we were
to see a good deal of these little chaps, and to appreciate their
fighting qualities.
The 2nd Field Ambulance was to take our position on the beach. We
packed up our panniers and prepared to leave the spot where we had
done so much work during the last three months, and where we had been
the unwilling recipients of so much attention from Beachy Bill and his
friend Windy Annie. Our donkeys carried the panniers, and each man
took his own wardrobe. Even in a place like this one collects rubbish,
just as at home, and one had to choose just what he required to take
away; in some cases this was very little, for each had to be his own
beast of burden. Still, with our needs reduced to the minimum, we
looked rather like walking Christmas-trees. The distance to Rest Gully
was about a mile and a half, through saps and over very rough
cobble-stones, and our household goods and chattels became heavy
indeed before we halted; I know mine did.
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