21st April 1915

[frev]

"On April 21 [ian Hamilton] issued a general address and ordered that it be read to all troops.

SOLDIERS OF FRANCE AND OF THE KING

Before us lies an adventure unprecedented in modern war. Together with our comrades of the fleet we are about to force a landing upon an open beach in face of positions which have been vaunted by our enemies as impregnable.

The landing will be made good, by the help of God and the Navy; the positions will be stormed, and the war brought one step nearer to a glorious close.

'Remember,' said Lord Kitchener, when bidding adieu to your Commander, 'Remember, once you set foot upon the Gallipoli Peninsula you must fight the thing through to a finish.' "

From 'Damn the Dardanelles!' by John Laffin.

And how C.E.W. Bean saw this day - from 'Frontline Gallipoli' [from his diary - selected by K. Fewster]

April 21

A wild wet night; raining and blowing hard this morning. Shortly after breakfast quite a considerable conference was held in our saloon. The New Zealand staff came over from the Lutzow or wherever they are. Our own staff ... trooped down with naval officers, the staff of the army corps, the commanders of our artillery brigades. There was a map on the wall and as a lecture of sorts was evidently going to take place I cleared out to the divisional office in the lounge upstairs....

There are some last moment shocks: for example the Ionian at the last moment says she has no water. Then the Armadale suddenly announces that the material for the tressle pier bridge or landing stage which she was supposed to have on board, was not all loaded at Alexandria. Part of it is in Alexandria still - and it was urgently needed.... These things always seem to happen even in the best regulated shows.....

[Michael - I've muscled in - at your request!]

[michaeldr]

Welcome, Mate

& Geoff too!