On the morning of may 8th the 88th Brigade in front of Krithia on Fir Tree Spur was relieved by the New Zealanders who made yet another attempt which failed with huge losses. The Wellington, Canterbury and Auckland Battalions gained another 400 yards through Fir Tree Wood to a place called the ' Daisy Patch ' before they became pinned down. Enfiladed on the left from Turkish machine guns in Gully Ravine they could neither advance nor withdraw and still had no sight of the Turkish positions. Despite their predicament, Hunter-Weston ordered the New Zealanders, including the Otago Battalion in reserve, to resume and attack at 5.30pm. The Brigade Commander, Colonel Francis Johnston, protested but Hunter-Weston insisted the attack proceed. However, General Sir Ian Hamilton, Commander of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, who had landed at Helles to oversee the battle, ordered a general advance to be made at 5.30pm along the entire front with the aim of capturing Krithia and Achi Baba.
The Australian 2nd Infantry Brigade, under the command of Brigadier-General M'Cay, was given 25 minutes warning that it was about to join the attack. The Australians were to advance along Fir Tree Spur between the right flank of the New Zealand Brigade and the edge of Krithia Nullah, and had to travel up to 800 yeards from their reserve position just to reach the start line at " Tommy's Trench " The brigade managed to advance a further 500 yards beyond the start line, suffering 50% casualties in the process.
The Australian 2nd Infantry Brigade, under the command of Brigadier-General M'Cay, was given 25 minutes warning that it was about to join the attack. The Australians were to advance along Fir Tree Spur between the right flank of the New Zealand Brigade and the edge of Krithia Nullah, and had to travel up to 800 yeards from their reserve position just to reach the start line at " Tommy's Trench " The brigade managed to advance a further 500 yards beyond the start line, suffering 50% casualties in the process.
the 29th division
A Portrait of Brigadier-General James Whitestead MCay taken in 1901.
Born Ballynure, County Antrim, Ireland, his parents migrated to Australia.
Born Ballynure, County Antrim, Ireland, his parents migrated to Australia.
Above, Brigadier-General M'Cay urging his brave men forward from ' Tommy's Trench ' the British front line they encountered after advancing for 800 yards over open ground from the reserve line.
The New Zealand Brigade made another attempt to cross the Daisy Patch and some troops managed to actually sight the Turkish trenches. On the right the French resumed their advance at 6pm and made good progress, reaching the Turkish trenches on Kereves Dere. They managed to capture and hold Bouchet Redoubt but were forced back everywhere else. The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers had done well in capturing three enemy trenches, till again all the advance was held up by the enfilading fire from hostile machine-guns hidden on a ridge between the gully running towards Krithia and the sea..
Aftermath
About one third of the Allied soldiers who fought in the battle became casualties. General Hamilton could
ill-afford such losses as they made it difficult enough to hold the little ground he had, let alone continue to capture more. The poor planning of the battle extended to the medical provisions for the wounded which were woeful. The few stretcher bearers that were available often had to carry their burdens all the way back to the beach as there was no intermediate collecting station with wagon transport. The hospital ship arrangements were also inadequate so that once the wounded were taken off the beach they would have trouble finding a ship prepared to take them on board.
With the failure of the second battle, Hamilton made a request to the British Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener ( an Irishman ) for an additional four divisions. He was promised the British 52nd
( Lowland ) Division but would not receive any more until August. Another attempt would not be made until early June.
ill-afford such losses as they made it difficult enough to hold the little ground he had, let alone continue to capture more. The poor planning of the battle extended to the medical provisions for the wounded which were woeful. The few stretcher bearers that were available often had to carry their burdens all the way back to the beach as there was no intermediate collecting station with wagon transport. The hospital ship arrangements were also inadequate so that once the wounded were taken off the beach they would have trouble finding a ship prepared to take them on board.
With the failure of the second battle, Hamilton made a request to the British Secretary of State for War, Lord Kitchener ( an Irishman ) for an additional four divisions. He was promised the British 52nd
( Lowland ) Division but would not receive any more until August. Another attempt would not be made until early June.
Once the wounded were treated they were taken to the beach and loaded onto barges. They were then taken to the nearest hospital ship where they were evacuated. The wait could be long and many men died due to the nature of their wounds and the heat.
Whilst Hunter-Weston devised his next failed plan of attack, small independent battles continued. There was always the sniper waiting for his next target, or the odd grenade fight as the trenches were often very close to each other.. Then there was the every-day tasks of collecting what water there was and bringing up supplies from the beaches. Then came the night and early morning of May 19th. The first Turkish counter attack. It would be directed towards the Anzacs, and their stronghold up Monash Valley. It would give the campaign a strange twist, but one where the Allies would have respect for ' Johnny Turk ' Although this incident does not involve the 29th Division it is still worth mentioning as it will give an indication to the state of the battlefield and the conditions under which the men had to endure.
The Turkish 16th, 5th and 2nd were moved into place for the attack having been brought up from the Suvla area. However Australian pickets and listening posts were alarmed to the troop build up and the allies also had a spotter plane fly overhead to see what the Turks were up to. The result was that the entire Anzac Force was waiting on the firing step of the trenches when the three Turkish Division were sent over the top.
Shortly after midnight, May 19th, D Company was ordered to stand to.
The Turkish 16th, 5th and 2nd were moved into place for the attack having been brought up from the Suvla area. However Australian pickets and listening posts were alarmed to the troop build up and the allies also had a spotter plane fly overhead to see what the Turks were up to. The result was that the entire Anzac Force was waiting on the firing step of the trenches when the three Turkish Division were sent over the top.
Shortly after midnight, May 19th, D Company was ordered to stand to.
