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[Page 105]
water on being boiled throw to the surface a very thick oily scum. Probably this particular peninsula abounds in mineral wealth; if it were worked thoroughly, possibly another oil field of large dimensions would be open to the public. The 2nd Brigade arrived home yesterday & were met on arrival by a volley from both of the enemy batteries – right & left – For a matter of half an hour or more volley after volley poured down on the destroyer containing the troops and it was considered a wise proceeding to go beyond range & temporarily abandon the landing. Eventually a landing was effected & then we discovered the thinned ranks & absent faces. I believe in the short time they were absent their casualty list ran to 1100. The point on which they landed was open to fire from the guns of the Turks & in addition they were handicapped by barbed entanglement which ran in the water to the depth of ten feet. On landing a charge was ordered & their advance was increased one & a half miles. Here further progress was stayed by the hill side trenches of the enemy & a formidable array of machine guns – one officer estimated 200 or more - & as our men were alone the Terriers occupied the rear, our losses were severe. Nevertheless they continued to hold on to the possy but were unable