Gallipoli Diary
Wednesday Feb 3rd
Wednesday Feb 3rd
Taranaki
Company removed into trenches
at Post No 3 (El Kubri) on East
side of Canal other occupants
of the fort being the Gurkha
Rifles & Manchester Regt. Machine
Guns. Our men are now in
very front line and find patrols
every two hours during night.
They also sleep fully dressed
with rifles loaded and all
ranks stand to arms 4 am
to daylight. Excellent training
for the men & they do it well.
During day they play
football & cricket in the fort
when off duty. Each morning
we spend improving defences
& wire entanglements etc & men
usually have afternoon off.
Everyone is cheerful and
only hoping Turks will attack.
Aeroplane reconnaissance takes
place daily & cavalry patrol to
the front of all positions.
First important engagement
took place today near Ishmailia
when Turks attacked in force
& reached the canal with metal
boats. Enemy were severely
defeated & left 500 dead on
field & we took about 800
prisoners. Warships greatly
assisted with gun fire.
Enemy brought 6″ Howitzers
to bear on our positions but
our casualties only about
100 all told. Nelson Inf. Coy
participated & had 1 killed and
1 wounded. Four of enemy
crossed the Canal & escaped
but were subsequently captured.