Item 01: Sir Charles Rosenthal diary, 25 September 1914-31 December 1918 - Page 99
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[Page 99]
Tuesday 27th April
I have assisted Major Hughes throughout the night with his different guns as well as yesterday and nobody has had any sleep. At 3.30 AM while I was controlling one of the guns we received word that the enemy were massing in a piece of scrub land about 5 acres in extent. I immediately opened fire and thoroughly searched this area using in all 36 rounds of shrapnel. We heard yells and cries of "Allah" and we know we got into a nest of Turks preparing for a morning attack. These rounds drew fire from the Dardanelles, in the vicinity of Fort 32, but whether from forts or ships we could not ascertain. Twelve rounds were fired, apparently 6" or 8". Six rounds fell among the Transports but no damage was done. We have had a fairly quiet day, both sides digging hard. We engaged Infantry several times successfully. Fairly quiet night. Both Infantry in the trenches and gunners ready for any attack. Turks attacked twice but were repulsed. We used shrapnel effectively, sometimes at Zero. Plenty of dead Turks lying in the Field immediately to our left front, some being no more than 25 yards from our Infantry line. I am informed that among our killed are Colonel MacLaurin and his Brigade major, Major Irvine, also Col Clarke and Col Onslow Thompson. The fleet again bombarded. Our Brigade Ammunition Column has been and is doing excellent work in supplying ammunition by hand to the guns. They have about half a mile to carry it, and in that half mile rise 400 feet, and at the same time have to cross a bullet swept area.
Wednesday 28th April
Searched gullies again just at dawn and got a good few Turks. Steady shelling all day. Repeating previous days' work. Twice during the night shelled massing Infantry. We have fired about 1800 rounds to date. In view of our peculiar position, having 187° of open country to watch, I have an officer fighting each gun singly, so that fire can be directed on any point at a second's notice.
This is giving splendid experience to No 1 and section Commanders.
Thursday 29th April
Fairly steady day. "Bacchante" shelled trenches on contour 400 and did excellent shooting. Enemy preparing trenches against Left flank. Heavy cannonade of enemy's artillery about 5.30 PM. The navy at once responded. Enemy's battery of six field guns (about 14 ½ pr) seems to be getting plenty of shrapnel. As yet we have been unable to