Gallipoli

[bts1970]

Morning

Any chance someone can scan me the map detail referred to in the 5th Battalion Wilts war Diary for the fatefull day that the wilts lads were overwhelmed. Any help gratefully recieved as always. Bob

Tuesday August 10th 1915. (Battalion War Diary entry).

(01.00): Battalion moves away in single file less D company and part of B Company. Order of march C - Machine guns - A - B companies "Move by a steep and winding course to a cup-shaped deformation at the head of the Gulley to the right and some distance in front of our salient." (Words of 2 Lieut R.W.M. Dewhurst one of the few officers on the march who subsequently survived.) The Battalion was guided, as far as I am able to ascertain by a New Zealand Officer. Here they arrived two hours before sunrise (0300) and the men were told to dig into dugouts and make themselves comfortable as the position was quite safe. Men therefore removed equipment and rifles. This position I take it to be just N. of the H in Chunuk Bair and the march to it from the Aghyl Dere must have been via the APEX (Ref. Gallipoli Map 1.20,000 Koya Dere) (0430) As soon as it was light machine guns opened on the men lying in their dug outs. About 1/4 of an hour later there was a rush of Turks from both sides of the depression which drove the men, unarmed and unequipped down the gulley (SALZLI BEIT). The bottom of the gulley commanded by machine guns and so escape was cut off. Three courses were possible:-

1. To rush past the machine guns down the Sazli Beit, this was tried but in nearly all cases proved fatal.

2. To climb the northern slope of the ravine under fire and try to escape over the top. This was done in a few cases

with success.

3. Hide in Gulley till night; this also was done with more success. (A party of 5 men was rescued from the Gulley

having been there 16 days from August 10th to August 26th. They reported numbers of men, who were wounded,

unable to get away and died of exhaustion and starvation.).