Lieutenant Colonel William McKenzie, MC, OBE - Diary - 1914 - 1917 - Part 4

58

I went ashore on thursday the

22^nd of April for the last time

at Mudos where I bought some

things for the boys & landed some

sick at the hospital.

The weather on friday & Satdy

was lovely, the sun shining

brightly.

We held a wonderfully successful
Concert on friday night It was
among the very best held The
Troops were in great fettle.
We sailed from Mudos Harbour
at 12 noon on Satdy April 24^th
sailed to a point round the island
of Lemnos & anchored. All lights
were hooded we retired early
The ship again sailed for the
landing place about midnight
We steamed slowly meanwhile.
Everybody was awake by 3 am
& had breakfast at half past-
The 25^th of April was a most
memorable day. The weather was
perfect the sky cloudless the
sea calm as possible & the
the sun broke over Fishermans'
hut about 5-20 a.m.
At 4 a.m. the 3^rd Aust Brigade
under Col M^cLaggan effected
a landing without much resistance
at a point on the beach
between Kaba Tepe & Fishermans
Hut - a very rugged and formidable
proposition with a
line of Trenches near the water

59
Immediately the rifles began to fire
and exactly at 4-50, just as
the daylight was breaking the
first Turkish gun began to fire
A line of seven Warships including
the "Queen Elizabeth"
was drawn up & began to blaze
at various gun positions, chiefly
at "Kaba Tepe" where a powerful
Battery was skilfully hidden
The Austns covered themselves
in the glory, they carried the first
line of trenches & reached the
crest of the Hill in a long
extended line by 7 a.m. A wonderful
piece of work as the
long ridge rose to 400 odd ft
The rifle fire was exceedingly heavy
& the machine guns spoke with
persistant iteration doing good execution
The landing was effected from the
rush of the boats under schrapnel
fire- one of our large Pontoons
was destroyed & several boats
from other ships Several were
killed. After we had drawn close
in to the shore with other Transports
Howitzer Guns, fired on us &
the shells went off all around
us, a number of them coming
very close one just grazed a
Destroyer & others landed
near transports. Two just
cleared our wireless lines.
We were quickly ordered out
& after landing all those of our
1st Echolons we withdrew to Imbros

60
and anchored for the aftn &
night . The heavy gun firings
from the Ships was terrific
Particularly up from the Queen
Elizabeth. It shook our ship
tho' we were miles from there
when in the vicinity of the

"Prince of Wales" which kept
firing across our Bows the
noise was deafening It was
a terrble day for the men
The fighting which was of an
unprecedented character continued
without intermission
from Dawn to night fall &
the guns kept barking & the
rifles spitting thro'out the night.
There are many rumours as to
heavy casualties but up to the
present our information is vague
at 10 pm 25/4/15.
It is remarkable to relate that
when I saw the shells dropping
all round us & the rifles spitting
& guns going - I just felt in
a most gleeful happy mood
All fear vanished & I revelled
in it & longed to get at them
I can never forget the sight
& am glad to have been in it
A few shells went awfully near
to the Boat landing our
Brigade & regimental HQrts
Staff However none were injured
One shell lifted a boat out of 
the water & overturned it 
throwing everybody out.

61
On Satdy 24th at midday a three (3)
Brigade of British Marines were
landed at the Gulf of Saros to make 
it appear as if that was the chief
landing place with a view of

drawing the Turkish Troops off
from Kaba Tepe to make our landing
easier Then the 29^th British Division
landed and attacked at the entrance
of the Dardanelles on the European
Side while the French attacked

the Asiatic Side with Guns Troops
& ships. Thus the Turks were
heavily engaged & well employed.
The NZ & Aust Eng Division

landed on the extreme left of
the 1^st division (Aust) & fought
desperately.
Monday April 26^th 1915
At 3 a.m. a Counterattack by the
Turks was attempted, the Cannonading
& rifle fire was terrific
and this increased after daylight
About noon it was simply
beyond belief that anything or
anyone could live under
such fire. Our ship shook with
the [[concussion]] when the
Queen Elizabeth fired her
big guns. The firing from
the ships continued without
intermission all day, and
are now at 8 p.m, thundering
in the distance without [[?]]
no sound. There is a

62
terrible battle raging for the
possession of the "Kaba Tepe" a high
hill that commands the whole
country around, without wh etc,
success we cannot yet find out.
It is reported that the Turks are
falling back on the left.
Our ship remained at anchor
near Imbros Island all day &
took 4 sick men to the "Galeta"
where I learned that the AP force

had captured 2 Krupp & 4 Field

Guns. Fighting desperate, casualties heavy.

Did some fishing this aftn caught

7 peculiarly bright coloured fish

named them "Dardanelles Dandies"

They were golden in colour with white

stripes on them. Soon 5 or 6 got

fishing.

April 27th - Another terrible Day

When the cannonading was awful

The whole thing looked as if the

Cauldron of Hell was being

stirred by a giant poker the

execution was deadly by the

Warships & also the gun Batteries

The whole place was hazy with

the smoke of battle & several

places were on fire The

observation baloon was up

all day & the aeroplane were

busy likewise. One transport

the --- an ----- was hit in the

side with shrapnel while lying

waiting to unload in the

open road ahead. The Battles

raged day & night.

 

63

The shells burst like a hurricane

on Kaba Tepe Mountain all day

& the Queen Elizabeth poured 

in a raking fire elsewhere.

The 29th Division had terrible

work on Cape Helen. Here the

River Clyde was purposely sunk

to give landing cover, holes

were cut in each side &

the troops marched thro' under

her deck to the shout & so

got a footing. They had a 

well nigh impossible task to

make good their landing and

carry the trenches which were

protected by terrible intricate

wire entanglements & the

hill was steep to climb. Yet despite

these obstacles the the enemy

were thoroughly prepared and

waiting for the attack the gallant

indominable Britishers carried

the trenches & position supported

by the Navy. The losses of the

British were about 10,000 out

of 20,000. New ships were called

up to act as "Hospital" ships

as the 2 Hospital ships were

quite insufficient to deal with

the cases. However the British

made good, & were later, reinforced

by 3,000 French troops to assist

in making progress. Now the

report is that all is going

well. TheAust New Zealand

corps are doing remarkable

& carrying the ground before them.

64

April 28^th - The "Lake Michigan"

was ordered back to Mudros

Harbour at 7 am & we set

out for our old anchorage,

there immediately & reached

our Berth at 7-730 pm. As

we drew near to the mouth of

Harbour we beheld what was

apparently a monster double

turretted & new warship of the

latest type. When we cut close

to her, we discovered it to be a

grand & deception "A Dummy"

rig a merchantman cut down

and fixed up to represent the

latest ships. It is a clever hoax.

I visited the Hussar (Torpedo

Boat) with mails & later went

ashore for goods to the value of £15

also visited the Hospital ashore.

We set sail again for Kabe Tepe

on Satdy. morning May 1^st

We learned with profound regret

that Col Onslow-Thompson (our

Battln Commander) had been shot

dead & that the Major(MacNaghten)

was severely wounded with news

of other losses of Officers.

On reaching the scene of fighting

The Naval guns were going strong

& the rifles were cracking continually 

& did so thereon a bit.

One night. We also learned with

deep regret that the Brigadr

M^cLaurin & Brigade Major (Irving)

were both shot dead.

 

64

and that the Signalling Officer also

was gone. (Capt Muir Smith) a very

fine young Doctor). Then many Sergts

were gone too - Such is war.

Sunday May 2^nd. This is the 5th

day of the Battle that has raged

without cessation since landing

at 4 am. on Sunday April 25^th

Many brave heroes have fallen.
Things were very fierce at the Sth
(British) end all the morning. but
quitened somewhat during the Aftn.
But at 7 pm the Naval guns
opened a terrific firing on the
Turks trenches at x which was
followed by a general assault
by the Austns.
We had a church Parade at 9.30
a.m. but my address was disturbed
by the arrival of a boat for
a shore party. War is a terrible
thing. The seaplane & Observation
Baloon were up for a considerable
time today. 25 from our boat
went ashore today including
Judge & M^cKinnon (2nd Lieuts)
The Fighting continues with monotonous
persistence on both sides.
Fassell & Jeffreys came aboard for 
goods & gave us some news of the
4^th Battln. Just learned that Captn
Coltman, Ros Lloyd M^cDonald and
Christie were wounded none of them
at all seriously, We also learned
that it was on Monday April 26^th

66
that great punishment was meted
out to the fourth after an advance
& then being ordered to retire. In
the retirement - The Col, the Major
Capt Milson, Lt French Lt Seldon
Lt Lt Anderson Lt Turner Lt Smith
were hit, the first & last were shot dead.
Milson & Anderson with major
very seriously wounded.
Fassell & Jeffrey & 16 others went
ashore & thus our Compy on board
diminishes. All is going well on board.
But the remaining ones are very anxious 
to get off.
May 5^th The wind rose vey high &
the seas were rough - a couple of
Boats with men were helpless
on the seas & laboured in vain
for hours, Ultimately they were
picked up by a Tender & another
by drifting near a ship that took
them on board.
The Germans have sent up an aeroplane
during the last 2 days. Our Baloon
& sea plane have been up each day
until today when it is too much
for the baloon.
The Turks were in strong force at
Observation Point that was heavily
shelled by the Destroyers (5 of them)
Marines attempted to land but failed
Our guns are there hammering them
in their caves & dens at regular
intervals. This point has been fearfully
troublesome to us on the whole
67
From this point the landing parties

received much attention & several
boats were hammered & many
of our men killed & wounded. The
naval guns ultimately destroyed their
Battery, but the loss of life (Turks)
is as yet quitw unknown to us. It
must have been considerable.
A great fire was blazing this aftn
& all night, hit by shells from
the "Triumph". It was either Maidos
or Chanak. The "Queen Elizabeth"

fird across the Pens'la about 20
shots this aftn.
A mighty battle was raging on the
Southern end where the British &
French are fighting. The whole
place was an inferno of flame
& death.
The German areoplane dropped two
bombs near to our ship as she [[?]]
thus we have diversion from all points 
as there are rumours of 2 submarines
in these seas.
Sunday May 9^th Had a fine service on board
& then got ready to disembark which I did  on
Monday May 10^th After landing the Beach
became a "hot shop" with shrapnel shell
& all sought shelter over a dozen were [[?]]
I had a very narrow squeak. Got covered
with earth when I threw myself on the
road for safety. A number of shells fell
near us. However I got safely up the Hill
tho' both shrapnel & bullets were flying
overhead. The mens welcome to me
was very warm & hearty & they were
most grateful to greet me one more.

68
I camped with the Div at the Dressing
station to be near to the wounded,
etc. I slept none the first night as
a fullisade of bullets flew over our
heads the whole night & kept up a
great row. I improved my dugout next
day tho' it was very damp & uncomfortable
however. the sun got on it next day
& so the 3^rd night I slept soundly.
It was pleasing to be able to get the Col's
body the first night I was in the firing
line & we buried him at 9 p.m. in an
exposed position & & for safety I had to
kneel in a crouching position to
conduct the burial. He had been dead
a fortnight. I had to perform a number
of burials that day as indeed every day.
I spent a considerable time among the
Boys in the Trenches & had a good time
with them.
The Pioneers managed to bring in some
of the bodies of the dead who had fallen
during the first 2 days & we would bury
them each night in the darkness. One
night 12 were secured at the cost of 
an officer badly wounded & 2 men also
lightly wounded. It is a trying job as the
smell is awful. A number of these men
are unidentified - somebody's sons.
The shelling has been heavy at times.
Tuesday May 18^th The Turks greatly reinforced
made a great & general attack at 10-30 pm
after having heavily shelled the Trenches
before dusk for an hour. This failed
& they made another determined attack
at 3 a.m. in the morning, they came on
along the whole front in thousands
& were met with withering fire.
69
Our men & machine guns did great
execution. The officers were hounding
the Turks out of their Trenches at last
The ground in front of our Trenches
was thickly strewn with dead. The
attack completely failed & this computed
that their casualties were 2,000
killed, 5,000 wounded, 7,000 in all.
Our losses amounted to 300 about 185
killed the 3^rd Battln suffered heaviest
having 41 killed the 4^th had 16.
Our boys were in great heart they climbed
up on the Trench parapets & fired with
accurate & determined aim many
reckoning it the best sport they ever had
It put them in great heart, and they long
for such another go. The noise & racket
of the firing of big guns & rifles was terrific,
& no sleep was possible. I had a very
trying duty next day burying our own dead.
I thought so much of the many sad hearts
in Aust, when they know of their losses.
We laid 28 in one grave all in a row.
Monday May 24^th was a terrible day An
Armistice to bury the dead was granted
from 7-30 am to 4-30 p.m. 200 men
from each Brigade went out.The Bn
& myself also sallying forth with the white
Badge on. It was the most awful sight I
have ever witnessed, thousands lay
dead along the front, many more than we
had anticipated. I read the burial
over something like (120) one hundred of (+20)
our Aust'ns & R.W. [[?]] men who had
been dead a month. The Turks had
at least 3,500 dead to bury. The smell
was terrible. It turned one very sick.

70
I was out from 8 am to 3-30 pm
I buried Turks & Austns in the same
Trench & read the burial Service
over them. I had a trying time getting
the Discs off & other identification
marks off them. I never had such
a task & hope I never shall again
War is indeed 'Hell' & no adequate 
description can picture its ghastliness
The Turks, of whom I saw 2,000
burying their dead, looked well nourished
& fairly well clad, a number of German
officers were visible & they looked at
us with menacing disdain. However
I threw out my chest & marched past
them with a touch of "Rule Brittania"
swagger, seeing it was our "Empire day".
The Turks made as if they would
attack again at 10 pm, but their heart
called them & they desisted in 3 minutes.
xxxx Tuesday May 25^th  Just about 12-15, we
had the undesirable experience of watching
the sinking of the "Triumph" which
had been torpeoded by a  submarine
It was a trying sight from the Hill &
shook me to the centre of my being.
Particularly so, as the submarine [[?]]
tho' there were many destroyers &
trawlers about. The Germans shelled the [[?]]boats
The "Majestic" was also torpeoded
the following morning. The War ships
& Transports made off to Mudros
Bay for shelter.
The Turks made as if theywould make
a violent attack at night but their
pluck failed & they wouldnt leave the
Trenches.
71
The Light Horse (3 Brigades) arrived from
Alexandria (about 7,500 Aust & NZ)
The 2^nd Brigade returned from Cape
Helos having lost nearly 1,200 men
down south - they were 1,600 strong out 
of 4,400. They are somewhat wotn out.
Satdy 29^th The Turks blew up a sap.
at Quinn's post & make an attack, they
took one of our Trenches but were
speedily driven out with heavy loss
18 prisoners were taken, their losses
amounted to 1,600 ours to 200
Major Quinn was killed, he was a brave
intrepid Officer.
Sunday 30 - There was a terrific artillery
duel about midday. Much damage
was done to the Turks Trenches & many
killed. Our lossses were slight but invalided
Major Bruce of the Indian Battery.
I held a couple of meetings on Sunday night.
They were cheery bright & helpful.
Tuesday June 1^st The Turks tried a ruse to
induce Austns to come out. They were got
up in full marching order ( packs [[?]]) as
if they were retreating & making for Constantinople
It did not work.
2,500 Reinforcements arrived on
tuesday morning 250 on Wedy morning
these included quite a few of the men who
were wounded the 1^st & 2^nd day of the fight.
A few men keep dribbling back each morning.
On the night of June 4^th & morning of 5^th
there was a brisk battle in progress. We suffered
120 casualties, the Turks 400 at least.
Only 9 of our's were killed. A terrific
Bombardment was in progress for 7 hours in
the South - result unknown. Many killed.

The war proceeded on its wearying
& wearying process daily with its
usual bombardment, each day
claiming its toll for the War God
Some days of course much more
than others - "Beachy Bill" greatly
disturbs the ordinaru routine
on the beach & seldom a day
passes without casualties there.
As many as fifty on occasions.
There were fine guns playing on
to the beach at a certain period
& some of these were so
placed that they could not be knocked
out & so we had to grin & bear
them. Despite the grave Danger
the Colonials swarmed doen to
the Beach to swim in the sea
many got knocked out. Here I
habe seen some terrible sights
mangled forms of brave men.
Yet even when shells burst
on the water & none were hit
the men would eagerly swim
to the spot where the shell had
bursted, looking for any fish
that may have come up in
a stunned condition to get
a tasty tea - some fine hauls
were got in this way - 41
one aftn from 2 shells.
3 of them 10 lbs each. The intrepidity
of the Austns fairly
staggered the Jack tars.
One of these said one day to
a bunch of Austns that were
bathing in the sea when shells burst,
& they made for the fishes.
"shiver me timbers you colonial
bloaks beat the band - what the
blankety blank do you blanky
Austns do for sport, when there's
no war on ?" The Jacks & the
Colonials are great "cobbers".
and they frequently changed Souvenirs
One of the messes of the "Triumph"
sent up a 50 packets of cigarettes
to the 4^th Battln in the Trenches, as
a token of their appreciation for
their desperate & daring heroism
manifested in the fighting.[[?]]
occasion offered some of the Jacks
would come up & visit the Trenches.
The heat is now becoming very
trying by day, the flies are nigh
beyond endurance & get in everywhere,
the lice too are in a
superabundance & stick to us
closer than a brother. Water is
at a premium, one learns to
have a shave clean the teeth
& have a sponge bath all with
a pint of water. The food too
is tiresome, Bacon (fat) Bully
Beef & hard biscuits with fruit
of doubtful quality (frequently
fermented) & tea this is atrociously
bad at times - However, it
is surprisingly pleasing how
readily a willing mind can
adapt themselves to the varying
conditions & how ones wants
can really become.

The Turks as well as ourselves
are continually employing new
ruses to hoodwink each other
but neither side is deceived now.
The Turks were at first, but they
have dropped to our dodges tho'

they used to get scared of an
impending attack & fire at
night with a perfect hurricane
of bullets. The Turks were thus
compelled to stand to all night
& every night, which is most
wearing to the body & nerve racking
into the bargain.
June 28^th The "Royal Scots" & other
British Troops made a sustained
change on the Acha Baba position
thereby winning a good position at
considerable cost on the left
flank. The french strongly assisted
by the Gurkas did some fine work
likewise on the right flank, tho'
they are constantly harrassed
by the enemy guns from the

Asiatic Shore., which likewise
commanded the beach that were was
frequently shelled by 9, 10, 11 & 12
shells, Doing much damage.
Next day [[?]] took place at
on the extreme right of the austn
wing when some trenches were
won & a new firing line effected.
The New Zealanders likewise had
a small affair & successful
bout. The Turks losing some hardest
while N.Z. only lost about 100.
June 29^th I proceeded to Mudros
East for Hospital duty - here the
Austn 1^st & 2^nd Stat Hospitals were
placed also the 15 & 16 British beside
Indian Hospitals, Convalescent Camp
etc with needful details. I endeavoured
to put in some useful work in
visitation, praying etc Nine meetings
were held, useful conversations,
accomplished & Two big Concerts
successfully organised. I was
smitten with Di' o re'a the 2^nd
day & got worse each day. I was
ultimately relieved by Captn
Gillison with whom I had a
splendid 5 days. We held 2
services together on the 2^nd
Sunday- They were just O.K. Here
I struck some British Salvationists
whose spirits were refreshed by the
meetings. In addition to other
Young Christians.
I took "home" (back to the Trenches
at Anzac) some £ 65 worth of
goods for my boys. They were
powerfully glad to see me return
& to get the "goodies". They were
just a mere bagatelle among
so many. Anyhow they helped things
along & gave to many, a happy half
hour. The barrel of sweet lollies
biscuits were just the juicy joy.
I returned to Anzac on July 12^th
having been 2 weeks away. While
at Mudros I heard on several
occasions on the still early morning the big Naval
guns firing tho' nearly fifty
miles away.

Major Macnaghten returned to the
Regiment tho' his wound was not
properly healed. he remained 2^nd
in Command & Major Strong returned
to his Compy -
About July 22^nd Lieut col Bennett
was transferred to the 1^st Battln
& Major Macnaghten promoted
to the command of the 4^th much
to the joy of Officers & men. We
were reinforced by the arrival
of the 5^th Draught of newcomers
& a number of ex wounded soldiers.
Unfortunately we were loding
men every day from sickness
chiefly Bowel complains D'rea
& Dysentry - many looking very ill
& clean worn out. Much dying
had been done , new Tunnels Saps
& a new firing line formed.
On Aug 4^th large forces were landed
at Anzac beach & brought in to
camps near the 1^st Austn Division
The six reinforcements from Aust
also landed & linked up to their
seperate Battlns & regiments. We
then knew that we were to make
a charge on the "Lonesome Pine"
a strong Turkish position. On
friday Aug 6^th altho' the men
were weak & worn they were
awfully bucked up at the prospect
& began to sing songs & chaff
each other on the prospects of being
'blown out' or coming thro' safely
The 2^nd Austn Division or part of
there 3 & 6 Brigade reinforced also
arrived.
At 3 pm on Aug 6^th the 4^th Battln formed
up into Comp's & at 3-20 pm set out
thro' the Trenches & marched into
positions ready to charge on the
Lone Pine Ridge. Punctually at
4-30 p.m. the guns opened - Naval
Howitzer field & mountain guns
& simply pounded the Turkish
Trenches for an hour. Every
gun the Turks could command
repiled & the noise was terrible
while the experience of shells
walloping our trenches that
were full of men was nerve
racking yet no one got more
than a big doing with grit.
Many trembled from head to
foot yet despite it all I felt
strangely elated & somewhat excited
over the prospects. I had
3 times carried important messages
from the Col to the Major
to the fire trench from which
the men were charging, he was
with 10 Compy in reserve.
Exactly at 5-30 when the
whistles blew, the men right
along the line sprang out into
the open & made for the Turkish
Trenches many alas never reached
there. However all the Trenches
were carried to the crest of
the Hill at a great cost. The
sight afterwards in the Trenches
was beyond conception, the
piles of dead & dying were
appalling & the number of wounded