Topic: Tk - Bks - 1/33IR
The Battle of Anzac Cove
Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915
Part 5
Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1st Battalion, 33rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.
Divisional Orders
From Artillery Headquarters on 29th and 30th April 1915
To complete our force, 3 Infantry Battalions, the machine guns and artillery now in Venichernak must joint it on receiving this reinforcement, and with the help of God, we shall give the enemy a decisive and final blow, now in order to reap the fruits of the great and heroic deeds which you have performed during the last 5 days and nights, I strongly recommend you to further strengthen tonight the positions you are holding, to see that your detachments are in touch with each other and in good order, that greater attention be paid to their order and command, that your reinforcements and reserves be so posted as to be readily available if needed. Finally you will see that your men get as much rest as possible, and you should personally inspect, any sleepy parts of them. To insure the carrying out of these points, you should not forget that it can only be done by the OC's giving the greatest personal attention tonight to their detachments. I especially ask the artillery to be very careful in directing their fire, so as not to hurt our Infantry. The Cavalry Squadron of the Army Corps must carefully watch every movement of the right wing of the enemy to the north east of Kabe Tepe. The other most important duty of the squadron is to send patrols all around in the valleys between the position of the Artillery and village Kojadere which runs from west to south with a view to giving no chance what ever.
Five days of continuous combat has taken its toll on the men under the command of this officer. They are urged to rest in anticipation of a final push to remove the Allies from Gallipoli. The battle did take place but as with all battles that characterised the Gallipoli Campaign on both sides, attacks were made with never enough troops and artillery. Every time one side was able to strengthen the number of assets at their disposal, the other side did the same, keeping matters into a stalemate. Since the Allies were the most vulnerable, they were the force that needed to break off the engagement as their lines of communication were always under intense pressure. The Turks did not face these problems as they were fighting on home territory.
One curious mention in this note was that of the Corps Cavalry and its role. It seems to anticipate the role of the Light Horse some three weeks later as dismounted infantry.
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Further Reading:
Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915
1/33rd IR Roll of Honour, April 1915
The Battle of Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, 25 April 1915, Turkish Roll of Honour
Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920
Citation: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 5
