The Australians advanced to a slight hollow in the ground, giving some amount of cover. Here it seemed likely they would bivouac, for during the early afternoon an ominous pause ensued. But Sir Ian had determined upon one more effort to secure victory by movement. At 5.15 all the battleships and cruisers, all the French “75’s,” and such heavy guns as we possessed, opened a tremendous bombardment. The bursting shells concealed the slopes of Achi Baba on both sides. Sudden volcanoes spouted rock and earth in dark cones. The orange of the lyddite curled over the enemy’s trenches. It seemed impossible for human beings to survive that quarter of an hour. At 5.30 all guns ceased like one, and with bayonets fixed and rifles at the slope, the whole line again moved forward. The brunt of the fighting now fell to the Australians. Two battalions in front and two in support, they walked or ran in “rushes” of 50 or 60 yards on about 1000 yards of front to the left of the Krithia road. The ground was open, and their appearance was at once greeted by the roar of rifles, machine-guns and field-guns, which the bombardment had again utterly failed to silence. The Australians, though heavily laden with packs, shovels, picks, and entrenching tools, and exposed to intense fire, pressed on, rush after rush, their Brigadier directing and encouraging by waving a stick in front. Without a sight of their deadly enemy, they advanced over 800 yards, the support battalions joining up into the bayonet line. They swept across a long Turkish trench. They shot those who ran, and bayoneted those who stayed. They came within half a mile of the eastern approaches to Krithia itself. Seldom in this war has so reckless and irresistible an advance been recorded. None the less, after an addition of a quarter of a mile beyond our original lines, it was checked. Suddenly upon the right Major Cass, wounded in both shoulders, had discovered a yawning gap of 300 yards, into which groups of Turks were pouring down a gully to harass the Australian line on flank and rear.[114]
The French, though late, had advanced gallantly to the attack, drums beating, bugles blowing, as in a Napoleonic battle. The French white troops in good order fought their way about 300 yards farther along the Kereves Ridge, capturing the much-disputed redoubt. But the gap was left. The Naval Brigade were delayed in filling it, and in the falling darkness the whole line, exhausted and reduced, had barely life left in them to dig trenches for the night. An average advance of 500 yards had been accomplished.
Next day (May 9) Sir Ian issued the following special order to the Australians and to the British troops, which had now become the VIIIth Army Corps:
“Sir Ian Hamilton wishes the troops of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force to be informed that in all his past experiences, which include the hard struggle of the Russo-Japanese campaign, he has never seen more devoted gallantry displayed than that which has characterised their efforts during the past three days. He has informed Lord Kitchener by cable of the bravery and endurance displayed by all ranks here, and has asked that the necessary reinforcements be forthwith dispatched. Meanwhile, the remainder of the East Lancashire Division is disembarking, and will henceforth be available to help us to make good and improve upon the positions we have so hardly won.”
THE 29th DIVISION PRAISED
In spite of a heavy counter-attack against the French position on the night of the 9th-10th, comparative quiet prevailed during the next two or three days. But at Helles, even on the quietest days, shell-fire never ceased, and, to say nothing of the V and W Beaches, the troops withdrawn from the firing line to rest were continually exposed to danger. For such rest, it was time to withdraw the 29th Division, now that the East Lancashires (42nd) could take its place. The Division had lost about 11,000 men and 400 officers. The relics of those unyielding battalions began to come back on the 11th. That night and next day it rained heavily for the first time, but the over-wearied men sank down into mud or pools of water, indifferent to everything but sleep. In their honour, so well deserved, Sir Ian issued a second special order, dated May 12:
“For the first time for eighteen days and nights it has been found possible to withdraw the 29th Division from the fire fight. During the whole of that long period of unprecedented strain the Division has held ground or gained it, against the bullets and bayonets of the constantly renewed forces of the foe.
“During the whole of that long period they have been illuminating the pages of military history with their blood. The losses have been terrible, but mingling with the deep sorrow for fallen comrades arises a feeling of pride in the invincible spirit which has enabled the survivors to triumph where ordinary troops must inevitably have failed.
“I tender to Major-General Hunter-Weston and to his Division at the same time my profoundest sympathy with their losses and my warmest congratulations on their achievement.”[115]
Only five days’ rest could be allowed. Immediately before the withdrawal began, the 29th Indian Brigade, as though to prove themselves worthy of the Division to which they were now attached, carried through a dashing adventure, suitable to the character of the men. The design was due to Sir Herbert Cox, commanding the brigade, and the object was to capture the high cliff or “bluff” overlooking the ravine of Y Beach on the farther side. It has been seen how greatly the failure to hold this position at the first landing had impeded the advance of our left wing. Upon the bluff, the Turks had constructed a formidable redoubt, whence machine-guns and rifles rendered movement along the west side of the Gully Ravine impossible. On the night of the 10th-11th, the scouts of the 6th Gurkhas (Lieut.-Colonel the Honourable C. G. Bruce) scrambled along the shore to the foot of the cliff, and climbed right up the precipitous face. On the summit they were met by heavy fire, and as a surprise the attempt failed. But on the evening of the next day but one (the 12th), the Manchester Brigade (one of those Territorial Corps fit to rank with veteran Regulars) made a feint upon the position from our right, assisted by the 29th Division’s artillery and the guns of the Dublin and Talbot from the sea. While the attention of the Turks was thus occupied, a double-company of Gurkhas again crawled up the cliff, and rushed the redoubt with a sudden charge. During the night and at early morning, they were supported by three Gurkha reinforcements of double-companies, the entrenchment was rapidly completed, and the position permanently held. It was afterwards always known as “Gurkha Bluff,” and its value for the protection of our extreme left was incalculable.