The Battle for Hill 60

Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

3rd LHB War Diary, 30th August 1915

The story of Hill 60 is continued through the 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary.

30th August. 1915

The losses of the latter were, Killed Capt. FRY 2nd Lieuts L. C. BURGESS (wounded) C.H. Mac BEAN and O.A. LEAKE Killed and 3 others others: Wounded, 2nd. Lieuts. SANDERSON and THROSSELL other ranks 54 - Total 57 -- The affair was a brilliant example of dash and courage as the Turks held some of the trenches and all in front, from which with maxim fire, our men were bombed continually, the captured Trenches only 4 feet deep were nearly full of dead of both sides and these had to be cleared and deepened without any cover: Generals Cox, Godley and Russell spoke of the work as very fine - Lt. Col. REYNELL was a splendid man and an exceptionally fine and dashing leader and his loss will be severely felt;    Gen. Cox informs the Brigr. that the post is so important that he will not consent to the withdrawal of the 9th and 10th until the Trenches have been made perfectly safe, consolidated, and other Troops broken in to them. Hill 60 practically controls the N. and E. salients after another position to its N. has been taken. Under the new allotment and disposition of Troops 3rd L.H.B. holds TABLE TOP and N. slopes of RHODODENDRON as No. 5 Section -- Behind us and nearer the sea are the lst L.H.B. (general Chauvel).

Extracts from Despatch from Major W. H. Scott acting C. 0. 9th L. H. - re recent operations.--

"Arrived AGHUL DERE 26th last., rested 27th and ordered 7 p.m. to be prepared to send men to support Gen. Russell on Hill 60. At 9.30 p.m. Lt. PHILLIS and 50 men went into fire Trench right of Sector to support Gen. Russell -- At 11.30 p.m. Major PARSONS, Capt. JAFFRAY and Tempy. Lieut. McDONALD with 100 men and at midnight Capt. CALLARY and 25 men were also sent -- of these Major PARSONS with 52 men "A" Sqn. bombed their way along Fire Trench to M. from B0, about 100 yds. but had to retire about 20 yds. and erect barricades at N. At 12.30 a. m.

Further Reading:

Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

The Battle for Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915, Roll of Honour

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 30 July 2010 8:47 AM EADT

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The Battle for Hill 60

Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

Signals to 3rd LHB regarding 10th LHR attack

Signal from NZ & A Division to 3rd LHB, 1420, 27 August 1915

Prior to the attack on Hill 60 on 27 August 1915, much planning was undertaken. Part of the attacking force included the men from the 3rd LHB. From this Brigade, the 9th and 10th LHRs were to shoulder the bulk of the fighting with the much depleted 8th LHR in reserve.

To: 3rd Light Horse Brigade

Sender's Number: G716

Date: 27 August 1915

In Reply to Number: BM 617

Tenth LH will proceed tonight via the Chailak Dere to Big Tabletop aaa Please send an officer to Div HQ to be shown route as soon as possible aaa The 10th LH will not go to No 6 Section aaa Acknowledge

From: NZ ARC

Time: 1420

The first signal informs General Hughes that the 10th LHR will be diverted from going into the trenches of Section 6 for taking part in the assault on Hill 60. Section 6 contained a composite force with the paper strength of a Division. Included in this force were the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade, New Zealand Infantry Brigade, New Zealand Mounted Rifles Brigade and the 29th British Infantry Brigade.

Replacement of Colonel Brazier

In a message the seems to predict the future, Colonel Abbott from the 12th LHR was offered as an assistant to Colonel Brazier for the attack on Hill 60. The 12th LHR was broken up with each of the squadrons being posted to the NSW regiments as reinforcements. This left Colonel Abbott free for deployment.

To: General Hughes, CO, 3rd Light Horse Brigade

Sender's Number: G734

Date: 27 August 1915

In Reply to Number:

Would you like to have Colonel Abbott to command 10th ALH Regt vice Brazier?

From: General Godley

Time: 

He didn't have to wait long for a new command. History shows that on 28 August 1915, Colonel Brazier was wounded and Colonel Abbott was appointed commander of the 10th LHR.

Further Reading:

10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

The Battle for Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915, Roll of Honour

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Citation: The Battle for Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915, Signals to 3rd LHB regarding 10th LHR attack

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 30 July 2010 2:31 PM EADT

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The Battle for Hill 60

Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

17th Infantry Battalion, War Diary, 27 - 28 August 1915

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Thursday, 29 July 2010 10:57 PM EADT

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The Battle for Hill 60

Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

3rd LHB War Diary, 30th August 1915

The trenches at Hill 60 mentioned in the War Diary

The story of Hill 60 is continued through the 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary.

30th August 1915

At 12.30 a. m. the Lt. Col. REYNELL, Capts. CALLARY and JAFFRAY and 2nd. Lieut. McDONALD with 75 men attempted to cross from D. to E to join the N.Zs. and fight their way along trench FG. from N to G. They appeared to lose direction in scrub and arrived at C in trench BG which Major PARSONS was holding and at once set out for E but came under a withering fire, rifles, M. G. and bombs and the party literally faded away - Lt. McDONALD - S. M. SHAW and three men got back and about 20 wounded crawled in -  One Sergt. and 15 men on right were detached and finally reached our Trench at F -- Lieut. McDONALD after reaching safety then gallantly returned four times and brought in 4 wounded men. Major PARSONS party were then bombed back to P. but when day broke fought back to C - casualties 20. 27th was quiet but a few men were sniped -- at 10 a. m. 29th Lieut. McDONALD with a covering party fought his way with bombs to M and connected with 10th L. H. who had same time rushed Trench B G K and taken it - Bodies of Lt COL. REYNELL and Capt. JAFFRAY were received on 29th. -"

P.N.L.D.F.E.N. were held by N.Z.M.R prior to above.

Further Reading:

Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

The Battle for Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915, Roll of Honour

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Friday, 30 July 2010 8:55 AM EADT

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The Battle for Hill 60

Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

10th LHR War Diary 29 - 29 August 1915

The story of Hill 60 is continued through the 3rd Light Horse Brigade War Diary.

Extract from C. O. 10th L. H. on recent operations:-

On 28th proceeded to TABLE TOP via CHALAK DERE but when No.3 outpost was reached ordered proceed to No.6 Section - No. 2 S. section Br. Gen. Russell DAMAK JELIR BAIR 92 S.I. - Lieut HOWARD and BURGESS and 50 men were detailed at 2 a.m.    

29/8 under Genl. RUSSELL'S instructions to proceed to Reserve Trenches carrying bombs.      
        
29th Regt. in bivouac -- At 7 a.m. Lt. Col. BRAZIER wounded over eye, command of Regt. devolving on Major J. B. SCOTT. At 0810 message from Genl. RUSSELL asking for another 50 men but these were not immediately required - At 1500 all officers reported to Gen. RUSSELL and went round Trenches. At 2030 opn. order instructing 10th L. H. to assault uncaptured Trenches centre and left of KAIJAK AGHALA on N.W. slope of Hill 60 S.W.100 yds.

On 29/8 proceeded under rifle, M. G. and bomb fire with few casualties took possession of TURK Trenches which were lightly held -- Thro' night heavy bombing: daylight determined counter attack which was repulsed with much loss. During day position consolidated and Trenches deepened and repaired -- 2 M.Gs. emplaced, trenches bomb proofed and Commn. trenches made. Although exhausted still In possession."

Total casualties                   

KILLED - Officers: 3; OTHERS: 11 - Total 14 - Capt. FRY Lts. LEAKE & McBEAN

MISSING - Officers: 0; OTHERS: 12 - Total 12

WOUNDED - Officers: 3; OTHERS: 56 - Total 59 - Lts. SANDERSON: BURGESS and THROSSELL

TOTAL  95

Regt. congratulated by Gens. Cox, Godley, and RUSSELL
Reported 3rd L.H.F.A. 3 officers, Lt-Col. Downes, Capt. White, Capt. Anderson and 45 others.

Further Reading:

10th Australian Light Horse Regiment, AIF

Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915

The Battle for Hill 60, Gallipoli, 22 - 23, and 27 August 1915, Roll of Honour

Gallipoli Campaign

Battles where Australians fought, 1899-1920

Posted by Project Leader at 12:01 AM EADT

Updated: Thursday, 29 July 2010 10:45 PM EADT

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