Letter - 27 May 1915 - Athol describes landing on Anzac Cove 1915

This post is written 100 years after the landings on Gallipoli.

 At 12:40pm Sydney time we have already been to our dawn services but in Turkey the dawn service is just starting at Anzac Cove.

The letter below was written on 27 May to Athol's mother in Melbourne. I transcribe only the first few lines as that section describes how Athol took part in the landing and was shot twice shortly after arriving. More of the letter will appear in May as it refers to the events of 5-8 May and later.

On 24th April, Athol's unit was aboard the troopship 'Novian' in the Greek harbour of Mudros. The fleet moved off on 25th April just after midnight. At about 2am the troops prepared their kit (about 40kg including some food and water) and were given a hot meal - bully beef with a few potatoes made into a stew. They were mustered on deck. They were to receive no more rations for 3 days.

The 9th and 10th Battalions of the 3rd Brigade made up the first wave of troops to be towed ashore. This was at about 4:30am, pre-dawn.

With the sun rising, at about 5:30am, on 25 April 1915, the second wave of troops started towards the shore. Athol was in this second wave. He was part of 'D' company, 5th Battalion, 2nd Brigade. 'D' company left the ship at about 8am. They were clearly visible from the rocky cliffs above. It was a fine day - blue sky and a warm sun. Sniper fire, musketry, shells and shrapnel were hailing from above. Athol was probably injured at this early stage of the battle.

The towing craft had missed the beach at Gaba Tepe and instead the troops were put ashore a mile further north at Ari Burnu. The sea was glass smooth and the current not too strong so the mistake was probably poor navigation. For the troops going ashore the topography encountered did not match the plans which were distributed. They expected a sandy bank above the beach and then low hills. They found very steep inclines, deep ravines and thick low scrub. It was difficult to see ahead. They were disoriented from the start.

Those men of 'D' company who were not killed or wounded on the wooden boats or on the beach halted under the crest of the hill where the commanding officer had established Battalion Headquarters until the position became clear. The position did not become clear. The men pushed on often in small groups.

As the morning progressed enemy fire upon the ANZAC troops intensified.

One of the Battalion's most capable officers, Major Feathers, in charge of 'A' company was shot through the neck and died that morning. Soon, many of the 5th Battalion were mixed with other units, particularly the 6th Battalion. Major Bennet of the 6th steadied a group of these 5th Battalion men and repelled a group of Turks trying to break through.

Private S. Ricketson of 'D' company found himself with a group of men without a leader and took it upon himself to lead them over a plateau which was later to be called Lone Pine. Isolated groups of the 5th Battalion fought their way through the thick scrub and, in many cases, never returned.

Communication, and the transmission of orders to these isolated groups of men was impossible on that first day. Men lost contact with each other and the various units became separated, mixed and the situation confused.

Turkish resistance intensified during the day and continued through Sunday evening. The ANZAC troops consolidated a rough line along the rugged terrain and started to dig in around dusk.

No.17 General Hospital

Ramleh

Alexandria

27.5.15 

Dear Mater, 

Many thanks for your cable which I got on the 18th (May) about 9pm. I've been here since the 16th (May) and am quite all right. I'm going into a convalescent home tomorrow. That means boarding out at a private house. 

I got hit on April 25th (Sunday) the first day we landed, soon after getting ashore. I got one through the upper arm and about 1/2 an hour afterwards got another on the wrist watch which smashed the watch and put my left hand out of action temporarily. I then left the line and went down to the beach where I was sent aboard the 'Clan Macgillvray'. I came down here in her and reached here on Thursday night (29th April). Six of us then went on board the Lutzon and returned to Gallipoli leaving on Sunday evening (2 May).....