May-June - Gallipoli

Whilst Athol was being treated for his injuries in Egypt during May-June the conflict on the Gallipoli peninsular continued. On 19 May the Turks commenced their counter attack which aimed to drive the invaders back into the sea. Turkish losses were immense.

On 24 May, an armistice was arranged and both Turks and Allies buried their dead which lay in the scrub and gullies of no-man's land.

Australian War Memorial photograph H00240

Image taken 24 May 1915

The AWM caption reads: Australian burial parties burying Australian and Turkish dead during the armistice. More than 3000 Turks and approximately 160 Australians were killed during the Turkish counter attack on 19 May 1915. Approximately one million rounds of ammunition were fired during the one day attack. The stench from the dead was so unbearable that the Turks initiated a nine hour armistice so that both sides could recover and bury the dead.

Also in May 1915 there was a positive development with Lance Corporal William Beech, 2nd Battalion, inventing the periscope rifle.

In June there was a lull in fighting which meant that although there were none of the big infantry manoeuvres there was the constant need for vigilance and preparation for another possibleTurkish attack. In addition, sporadic sniping plagued the Anzacs and shelling from the two big Turkish guns called 'Beachy Bill' and 'Asiatic Annie'. Rounds from these guns could reach the beach and caused casualties particularly among those trying to get clean with a swim, or working on the pier and stores. There were few places which were anything like safe during this lull in the fighting. One of the 5th Battalion headquarters signalers was killed whilst coming round a path near battalion headquarters. He was struck by a shell and blown so completely to pieces that no one suspected his death until blood dripped on someone from the bushes above. A few days later an RSM was killed instantly in the HQ dugout. All the 5th battalion papers and records were destroyed by this same shell.

AWM image: A02035

The headquarters of the 5th Battalion on MacLaurin's Hill, showing the steps leading up from the lower Terraces (left). The firing line is about 30 yards away from the dugouts, behind the ridge. Water containers are in the foreground and stacked to the right.

For the soldiers and junior officers, digging-in was the main activity in June 1915. Gun pits, paths, tracks, trenches and tunnels were created. A great deal of effort was required to supply the troops who were camped on the steep slopes overlooking Anzac Cove. Ammunition boxes, equipment, water and food supply took an enormous effort to transport from pier, beach and then up the steep gullies to the trenches. Mules became very useful but most of the provisions and supplies were carried by the men themselves.

With the warm weather came flies, rats and disease. During June the number evacuated sick was roughly equivalent to those lost through casualties by deaths and wounds.

Colonel McCay, who had been wounded during the Battle of Krithia at Cape Helles, had returned to Anzac Cove but on 6 June was later evacuated sick. Lt.Colonel Wanliss commanded the 2nd Brigade in his absence. Lt. Colonel Wanliss himself became ill and was evacuated near the end of July.

 Australian War Memorial photograph PS0182

Image taken in late 1914 on HMAT Orvieto on route to Egypt from Australia

Colonel David Sydney Wanliss, on left,

with cigar, Scots cap and white shoes (what an outfit).