The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 3

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1st Battalion, 33rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

Divisional Orders

1. Stores have been established at Maidos - Bigali Village and at the Barracks of Bigali for the purpose of storing there in the arms and equipment of soldiers wounded and killed.

2. Every advantage must be taken of the empty transport returning from advanced lines, for conveying these arms etc.

Note: It has been explained to OC Battalions that as stated in above order, all these arms and etc must be sent to these stores so as to lose nothing whatever of same.



To OC 33rd Regiment 30 April 1915

The 2nd Battalion of the 125th Regiment which was to come to our left wing is not there, but a whole company of it is at Nvur rear. This evening a company of this very battalion came to take a position to our left, but with great noise and shouting of orders, it showed itself to the enemy. The squad officer was killed and all the men ran away. Our left wing is still empty. Le Zia Effendi of the 125th Regiment is in the rear of that squad and as everyone of my battalion is very important, and as on the left wing, no help was forthcoming from any quarter, we are on the defensive, meeting with extreme hardships. I submit that it is more necessary that the position of the detachment detailed from the 12th Regiment to our Regiment should be reinforced, and the small fortification found in the neighbourhood would be taken in hand and made use of as it is most important that the safety of our left wing be ensured.

Previous: Map detailing the placement of 1/33 IR, 25 April 1915

Next: Map detailing the placement of 1/33 IR, 25 April 1915 - Part 2 

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

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 6 April 2010 2:14 PM EADT

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2nd LH Sig Trp, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop

Embarkation Roll, 13th Reinforcement

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF, 13th Reinforcement, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A19 Afric 5 January 1916.

The HMAT A19 Afric weighed 11,999 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Federal SN Co Ltd, London. The Afric was torpedoed and sunk in the English Chanel, 12 February 1917.

The ensuing individual soldier's embarkation information contains the following details:

Rank on embarkation;

Full name of the soldier

Declared age of the soldier;

The last occupation held;

The last address as a civilian;

Enlistment Date; and,

Fate.

Finding more about a service person.

See: Navigating the National Archives Service File 

Embarkation Roll

 

5256 Sapper Noel Arthur HOLMES, a 21 year old Electrical Engineer from Manly, New South Wales. He enlisted on 15 November 1915; and subsequently was Discharged in Britain, 25 September 1917.

5257 Sapper Harold Reynalt HOPKINS, a 19 year old Optician from Chatswood, New South Wales. He enlisted on 21 August 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 28 January 1919.

5258 Sapper Frederick William HOUSTONE, a 22 year old Clerk from Temora, New South Wales. He enlisted on 15 September 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 23 January 1919.

 

5259 Sapper Thomas Henry IVERS, a 26 year old Artist from Burwood, New South Wales. He enlisted on 10 August 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 12 March 1920.

 

5360 Sapper Eric Adair LONG, a 19 year old Clerk from North Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 21 August 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 3 July 1919.

 

5261 Sapper Frederick Thomas PIERCE, an 18 year old Uni Student from East Maitland, New South Wales. He enlisted on 28 August 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 12 July 1918.

 

5262 Sapper Rupert SYMONDS, a 22 year old Builder from Stanmore, New South Wales. He enlisted on 23 July 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 10 June 1916.

 

5263 Sapper Rupert VOWLES, a 21 year old Electrician from Burwood, New South Wales. He enlisted on 22 August 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 26 July 1919.

 

Previous:  12th Reinforcement

Next: 14th Reinforcement

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.

Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.

Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.

Collected Records of Steve Becker.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.

Further Reading:

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signals Troop, Roll of Honour

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF, Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 15 March 2010 12:53 PM EADT

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2nd LH Sig Trp, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop

Embarkation Roll, 14th Reinforcement

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF, 14th Reinforcement, embarked from Sydney, New South Wales on board HMAT A54 Runic on 20 January 1916.

The HMAT A54 Runic weighed 12,490 tons with an average cruise speed of 13 knots or 24.07 kmph. It was owned by the Oceanic SN Co Ltd, Liverpool, and leased by the Commonwealth until 27 November 1917.

The ensuing individual soldier's embarkation information contains the following details:

Rank on embarkation;

Full name of the soldier

Declared age of the soldier;

The last occupation held;

The last address as a civilian;

Enlistment Date; and,

Fate.

Finding more about a service person.

See: Navigating the National Archives Service File 

Embarkation Roll

 

5831 Sapper Edwin Lewis BALFOUR, a 19 year old Engineer from Canterbury, New South Wales. He enlisted on 23 August 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 24 September 1919.

5832 Sapper Arthur Claude BENNELL, a 24 year old Miner from Camperdown, New South Wales. He enlisted on 28 September 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 2 March 1919.

 

5833 Sapper John Richmond CRAIGIE, a 26 year old Electrical Engineer from Arncliffe, New South Wales. He enlisted on 30 April 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 31 January 1918.

 

5834 Sapper James John DWYER, a 21 year old Labourer from Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 20 December 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 5 July 1919.

 

5836 Sapper Edward Arthur KANE, a 30 year old Clerk from Sydney, New South Wales. He enlisted on 15 September 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 13 February 1917.

 

5835 Sapper George Alfred LEWIS, a 41 year old Quarryman from Woonona, New South Wales. He enlisted on 14 December 1915; and subsequently Returned to Australia, 23 May 1917.

 

5839 Sapper George Henry PENTECOST, a 34 year old Seaman from Balmain, New South Wales. He enlisted on 10 January 1916; and subsequently was Discharged in Britain, 24 April 1919.

5838 Sapper Frederick George POWYS, a 19 year old Survey Draughtsman from Blackheath, New South Wales. He enlisted on 13 October 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 12 May 1919.

 

Previous:  13th Reinforcement

Next: 15th Reinforcement

Sources Used:

National Archives Service File.

Embarkation Roll, AWM8, Class 10, Light Horse.

Nominal Roll, AWM133, Nominal Roll of Australian Imperial Force who left Australia for service abroad, 1914-1918 War.

Collected Records of Steve Becker.

Acknowledgement: Many thanks to Steve Becker who provided much of the raw material that appears in this item.

Further Reading:

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signals Troop, Roll of Honour

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF

Light Horse Signal Service, AIF, Roll of Honour

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Monday, 15 March 2010 12:43 PM EADT

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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.

Previous: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 4

Next: The situation at Anzac, 1 May 1915

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

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 6 April 2010 2:47 PM EADT

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The Battle of Anzac Cove

Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915

Part 4

Extract from a diary found on a dead Turkish Officer, the major commanding 1st Battalion, 33rd Infantry Regiment, Gallipoli, 30 April 1915.

Note: That the strength of the following squads of the Battalion, No's. 1, 2 and 3 of 33rd Regiment is composed of 20, 3 and 50 men respectively, is known to OC 2nd Battalion of the 128th Regiment. They have remained without flood for the last four days, but sufficient bread was sent last night. Please let it be known that the bread and other allowances of the remaining battalions are to be found in the zone of the 125th Regiment. This squad is commanded by Sergt Kalil of the 3rd Battalion.

Shrapnel burst in some of our Battalion with the following result:

Company	Killed	Wounded
No. 1	2	5
No. 2	5	5
No. 3	5	5

 

Very Pressing

To OC Artillery, 30 May 1915, 6.15 am.

Our fleet is heavily is heavily bombarding our advanced zone, please for immediate remedy.

(Sgd) Major, OC 1st Battalion.

To OC 1st and 3rd Battalions 30 April 1915 and CO.

Send at once by mounted man to 3rd division. Do you not see that it is convenient to change your position, to strengthen the trenches with the weal lines of snipers, and to send here under cover other available men, and that it is hoped all means will be taken to protect the snipers.

(Sgd) Acting Officer Commanding 33rd Regiment.

While things may not have been goood for the troops at Anzac, the above document indicates things were even worse for the Turks trying their best to mount a defence and offence. This document speaks of trooops starving and problems with friendly fire which is just as devastating as hostile fire.

Previous: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 3 

Next: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 5 

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: The Battle of Anzac Cove, Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 4

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Tuesday, 6 April 2010 2:37 PM EADT

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