The Battle of Anzac Cove

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

Part 2

Diary, page 2.

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

To OC 7th Regiment 29 April 1915

The third battalion of the 27th Regiment in conjunction with 2nd Battalion of the 32nd Regiment should support the right wing. The first was estimated on the right wing. A squad from each company is detailed for sniping, and the remainder are to be in the trenches, up to now the strength of each company has been 150 men, a squad of which is snipers. (NB. The full strength of a company is 250 men.)

Left Wing Order 29 April 1915

1. Owing to the death of Kamahan Stevhie Beir, the command of the section is now given to me. I hope with the help of God to work this properly and loyally. God helps the servant who works diligently therefore each official must pay attention to his duties.

2. As stated i a Divisional Order to be secure from the enemy depends on steadfastness: which must be attained by good tactics. The lines of defence must be strongly and carefully maintained. The men should not be allowed to rove about here and there. Every battalion taking advantage of night, must collect the arms of the killed and send same to the rear every effort must be made to clear the battlefield.

3. Line of communication must be protected, and the smallest movement of the enemy at any place must be notified at once.

4. The transport of ammunition, food stuffs and other important necessities must be carried out either in the evening or at dawn only, nothing but more water may be brought in at day time.

As an Australian, it is difficult to place myself in the position of the "enemy" and yet that is the intent of this diary entry. These entries are important in understanding how the person on the other side of the trench viewed the Allied forces. By showing the other side, these men are no longer shadows described by the term "Turk" but living and breathing humans who felt the same anguish, fears and problems that focus the commonality of a shared humanity in an unfortunate fratricidal conflict. It is refreshing to know that any animus that might have existed has long been consigned to the waste bins of history. As Turkish archives become readily available and more accessible to Turks and international scholars, so this understanding will increase and jingoistic books that demonise for patronise "Jacko" can also diminish in their power.

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

Next: Map detailing the placement of 1/33 IR, 25 April 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 1:42 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

Placement of 1/33 IR, 25 April 1915 - Part 2

To trace the movement of the 1st Battalion, 33rd Infantry Regiment, 11th Division, the starting place is just south of Kumkale in Anatolia.  At the little town called Pinarbasi the 11th Infantry Division had its Headquarters and the 1st Battalion remained with other battalions of the Regiment. Care must be taken here as this Pinarbasi is not the major regional town of the same name in the east of Anatolia. The above map gives the location of the forces around Kumkale after the dawn attack of the Allies on 25 April 1915.

Previous: Turkish OC of 1/33 IR diary up until his death, 30 April 1915, Part 2

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

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: Monday, 5 April 2010 5:17 PM EADT

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2nd LH Sig Trp, AIF

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop

Embarkation Roll, 12th Reinforcement

2nd Light Horse Signal Troop, AIF, 12th Reinforcement, embarked from Melbourne, Victoria on board HMAT A62 Wandilla 9 November 1915.

The HMAT A62 Wandilla weighed 7,785 tons with an average cruise speed of 16 knots or 29.63 kmph. It was owned by the Adelaide SS Co Ltd, Adelaide, and manned by Australian officers and during her service by mainly Australian crews. The Wandilla was leased by the Commonwealth until 24 January 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

 

1797 Sapper Roy Celsus MANNIX, a 20 year old Tailor from Erskinville, New South Wales. He enlisted on 27 July 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 28 June 1919.

 

1796 Sapper Alfred Ernest SPIERS, a 21 year old Electrical Engineer from Concord, New South Wales. He enlisted on 28 September 1915; and at the conclusion of the war Returned to Australia, 12 April 1919.

 

Previous:  11th Reinforcement

Next: 13th 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 1:40 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 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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