Battle of Krithia continues - Friday 7 May 1915

Major General Hunter Weston issued flamboyant orders for another, ominously similar, attack for 10am on Friday 7 May, after breakfast. CEW Bean noted that this was a new development for the ANZACs who generally made their attacks at dawn or just before and were in the nature of a surprise on the enemy.

Prior to the infantry being sent in, another artillery bombardment was issued. However, artillery ammunition stocks were depleted and this bombardment on the Friday 7 May was limited and caused the Turks little damage. Each night the Turks rebuilt the trenches which were damaged or destroyed by the artillery and naval bombardment.

 

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On the left, the British troops made about 300 yards progress before being stopped by machine guns. The Lancashire Fusiliers, with fixed bayonets, repeatedly charged by were cut down each time by machine gun fire.

The Royal Navy was called in to destroy some of these machine gun positions by bombing the cliffs above 'Y' beach but this was not successful.

By early afternoon the entire British attack had been halted. The French, on the right, had made some minor gains but they too had halted.

The Australians remained in reserve during the 7 May. They were instructed to remain ready to deploy at short notice. From their position they could see the distant attacks unfolding.

In the late afternoon Major General Hunter Weston ordered another fifteen minutes artillery bombardment on suspected enemy positions. This commenced at 4:30pm.

Again the 87th and 88th Brigades were ordered to attack in broad daylight on the 7 May after this afternoon bombardment. The New Zealand Brigade was brought forward to support this attack. The French were required to make another attempt to capture the high ground ahead of them. Little progress was made on either the left or right flanks.

After two days and three major attacks, the village of Krithia was out of reach and the heights of Achi Baba still in the distance. The troops were exhausted, artillery ammunition limited and tactical imagination non-existent.

Sir Ian Hamilton, (facing camera with medal ribbons) being rowed to Cape Helles,

morning of 8 May 1915, from SS Arcadian.

He set up his HQ on Hill 114 near W Beach.

From Hill 114 Sir Ian had good views of the fields and spurs leading to Krithia village and Achi Baba.

Image from AWM collection, G00328

Sir Ian Hamilton gave orders for another attack to be resumed the next day, Saturday 8 May.

This time the attack on the left was to be undertaken by the New Zealand Brigade with the added support of the 87th (British) Brigade. Again this was to be in broad daylight starting at 10:30am and this too would be preceded by a brief, largely ineffective, artillery bombardment. The Kiwis were also required to move from their bivouac position to the reserve line - their starting point. This necessitated moving over 800 yards of open country in full view of the enemy. CEW Bean points out that this could have been achieve under cover of darkness with few casualties and retaining an element of surprise, but Hunter Weston issued order for this to take place at 8:30am and was committed to another day-light attack beginning after breakfast at 10:30am on Saturday 8 May.

The Australians would be required on the 8 May, after being held in reserve for the previous three days. They too were sent over open ground in broad day-light into a tornado of bullets and machine gun fire. The losses were staggering.

Athol took part in the Battle of Krithia on 8 May.