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[Page 31]
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posts and for working parties to follow the assaulting parties.
Our attack was launched at 5.30 a.m. and by 6 a.m. the position had been retaken with the bayonet by the 15th Australian Infantry Battalion led by Major QUINN who was unfortunately killed. All the enemy in the trench were killed or captured, and the work of restoration was begun. This attack was much assisted by excellent artillery fire.
At 6 a.m. the Turks again attacked, supported by heavy rifle and machine-gun fire and bombs from the trenches and by shell fire of different kinds. Our artillery continued to assist the defence by constant fire at accurate ranges on enemy's trenches and batteries. The fine shooting of the artillery and machine-guns and rifle fire from adjacent posts enabled us to repulse the Turkish attacks with heavy losses, and demoralised them to such an extent that the bomb throwers of their second line threw the missiles at their own first line.
At 8.15 a.m. the attack slackened. The work of clearing the trenches and restoring the parapets was begun. During this clearing a party of 16 Turks who were standing at bay in an underground gallery surrended.