"Crusading at Anzac"
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- 1. Cover of Crusading at Anzac A.D. 1915
- Author's Note:
In this work I have not touched upon the big historical facts, but have endeavoured to portray War as the soldier sees it, shorn of all its pomp and circumstance; the War that means cold and hunger, heat and thirst, the ravages of fever; the War that brings a hail of lead that tears the flesh and rends the limb, and makes of men, heroes. It is these little incidents that must necessarily be lost in the larger issues at stake, but which, none the less, constitute War, and form a large factor in the successful termination of a great movement.
Egypt was an interesting part of our military career, and I do not feel that this work would be quite complete without the introduction of a few Cairene incidents. If, perhaps, the behaviour of some of the "Boys" was not all that a Sunday School teacher might desire - God! If one could have seen them on that famous April 25th, their little human weaknesses could easily be forgiven - I cannot but feel honoured at being able to call such men my comrades. And if I have succeeded in giving to the world a truthful record of their heroism and fortitude, then my work has not been in vain.
- 2. Inside Cover of Crusading at Anzac
- 3. Photograph of Signaller Ellis Silas
- 4. The Indian Ocean
- It was a sight, this huge fleet of transports, ploughing its way through
a sapphire sea - a spectacle that, perhaps, will never be seen again. That this
vast fleet was able to sail all those thousands of miles, without an escort of
any kind, is an excellent proof of the splendid work the Navy has done.
Christmas day, 1914.
- 5. In the Bazaars
- 'Walking s'ick! Cigarette flag! Cigar, pos' card! B'ery goo-o-d!!! B'ery
nice. Australia, b'ery goo-o-d! Baksish. Gib it-alf piastre - Mr McKenzie; I
know you, b'ery nice, quies Katieah!!!'
The Cairene is an indefatigable vendor. Why he is not wealthy is a mystery. Whether you meet him miles out in the desert, or in some equally remote spot, he has always got something to sell you. Should you, perchance, happen to be falling off a donkey - or the top of the Pyramids - you would probably find a horde of Arabs rush forward and endeavour to sell you something during your meteoric flight through space. Though the Egyptian is cunning, his artlessness is delightful; he will usually begin by asking a fabulous sum for his goods, and will be quite pleased if, in the end, he obtains the equivalent of a penny-farthing.
Egypt, January, 1915
- 6. The Last Assembly
- In the hold of the troopship, Hyda Pasha. There, for The last time in this
world, many of us stood shoulder to shoulder. As I looked down the ranks of my
comrades, I wondered much which of us were marked for the Land Beyond. We were
well in the zone of fire, and every second I was expecting a shell to come bursting
through the side of the ship, to answer my question.
Gallipoli, April 25th, 1915
- 7. From the Ribble to the Boats
- We were transferred from the transport to the destroyer, which took us close
into the shore, and then we were transferred into the ship's boats and rowed
to the shore, amidst a hail of shells.
Gallipoli, April 25th, 1915
- 8. The Landing
- It was a relief to get ashore. We were packed so tightly in the boats and,
moreover, so heavily laden with our kit, that had a shot hit the boat we would
have had no chance of saving ourselves. It was awful, the feeling of utter helplessness.
Meanwhile, the Turks were pelting us hot and fast. In jumping ashore, I fell
over; my kit was so heavy that I couldn't get up without help. Fortunately the
water was shallow at this point, otherwise - well, I'm here to relate the incident.
It was a magnificent spectacle to see those thousands of men rushing through
this hail of death, as thought it were some big game.
Anzac, April 25th, 1915
- 9. Dead Man's Patch
- It was across this exposed spot that many times I had to run despatches.
The ridge on the right, where shrapnel can be seen bursting, was thick with snipers,
who had this patch so well set that they rarely missed their mark. The poor chaps
seen in the drawing all got caught when trying to get across. I wondered if I
was to join them.
Anzac, May, 1915
- 10. At the Water Hole
- This was always covered by the Turkish snipers; in fact, it was safer in
the trenches than at this place. It was quite one of the warmest spots at Anzac.
The poor fellow in the dug-out was caught, just a few minutes before I filled
my water-bottle. All around here were wounded and men, who had been hit when
dodging round this corner. However, one must drink, even if the price be death.
Anzac, May, 1915
- 11. The Snipers
- The snipers had been causing us a deal of trouble. It became almost impossible
to go round this corner without getting hit. Finally we were unable to bring
up our supplies. The poor chap in the foreground was shot a few minutes before
I made this sketch; and the pack-horse severely wounded. Despite the great danger,
two men rushed forward and caught hold of the startled animals, thus preventing
a stampede which, in the confined space of the narrow road - if such it could
be called - might have caused an impasse, and this under the existing conditions
would have been highly dangerous. The repetition of shrapnel in each sketch is
not a fad of mine, but just the natural order of things: they became as much
part of the landscape as the clouds.
Anzac, May, 1915
- 12. Stretcher Bearers
- This gives some idea of the difficulties and dangers the stretcher-bearers
had to contend with. Their bravery was quite equal to any heroism shown on the
field of battle. When we first landed, the Turks shot at anything that moved,
sparing not even the wounded on stretchers. They had been told by the Germans
that the Australians were cannibals.
Anzac, May, 1915
- 13. Bathing under Shell Fire
- This was certainly a most unique experience. I remember how delightful it
was to be immersed in the sea, after not having had a decent wash for about three
weeks. We would hear the enemy's gun fire, then: 'Shell O!!' Out we would all
scamper like a crowd of naughty schoolboys, and take cover behind anything on
the beach that afforded shelter. Then, after the shell had burst, back we would
go into the sea. I remember the beautiful colour of the water, and the ships
lying out on the horizon. 'Shell O!!' This time we were nearly caught, for two
or three shells came sliding through the air, and burst quite close to us; however,
we were determined not to be done out of our swim, so back into the water we
went.
Anzac, May, 1915
- 14. Signalling - Quinn's Post
- Snipers created a considerable amount of dust, every time I got up to signal.
In fact, I think they had a real merry time, but being so sure of their mark
they became careless. Well, whatever the cause, they didn't get me. The feet
above are those of a buried comrade. It was not an unusual occurrence when 'digging-in'
to come in contact with a grave.
Anzac, May, 1915
- 15. In the Trenches-Quinn's Post
- The Turks' trenches were only a few yards in front of ours. They caused us
much trouble with bombs. The poor chap on the left was badly caught, but I don't
think he knew much about it. He was lying there some days. Though I often had
to climb over him when going through the trenches, I didn't dare look at his
face - if there was any - he was such an awful spectacle. The man on the right
'caught it' badly; whether he died I know not. There was little time to think
of these matters. He was out of action; another man must take his place.
Anzac, May, 1915
- 16. Capture of Turkish Trenches by Light Horse
- These trenches, facing Quinn's Post, had been giving us a hot time, causing
many casualties with their bombs. After the trench was captured - the forty yards
of flat ground between this, our new front and our own trenches, was swept by
the enemy's fire, which was enfilading us. The 16th Battalion was only supposed
to reinforce, instead of which, by some error, we were sent into the firing line;
but there was not room in the trenches for all - many had to lie outside. I had
to go six times across this lead-swept plateau until eventually I could find
the 16th Battalion, and deliver the order to retire. In the darkness I had not
noticed a communication trench, which would have obviated the necessity of my
crossing this lead-swept space. What worried me most was that I might fall over
the decomposing bodies of the dead Turks. The figure in the centre is that of
Lieutenant Harwood. When I got to him with my message he yelled above the din:
'Silas, this is fine, I wouldn't be elsewhere for a thousand pounds!'
Anzac, May, 1915
- 17. The Roll Call - Quinn's Post
- This is always a most heart-breaking incident. Name after name would be called;
the reply-a deep silence, which could be felt, despite the noise of the incessant
cracking of rifles and screaming of shrapnel. This was taken the morning after
the charge on Sunday night, May 9. We, the 16th Battalion, were supposed to be
resting, and were only to reinforce if the necessity arose. Unfortunately, through
some error, we were sent into the firing line. At dawn, the following morning,
there were few of us left to answer our names when the roll was called- just
a thin line of weary, ashen-faced men. The bodies on the right we were unable
to bury for some days, as we were so hard pressed by the Turks.
Anzac, May, 1915
- 18. Boarding the Hospital Ship
- We were towed from ship to ship. Always the same reply: 'Full up!' Eventually
we managed to get aboard one. The 'cot cases' were hoisted on board by the derricks.
Fortunately, on this particular day, there was a fairly smooth sea, so the embarkation
was not difficult; but during the rough weather, the wounded suffered terribly
when being put aboard the Hospital ship. Even right out here, a stray shell would
occasionally come buzzing through the air. Note the narrow escape of the boatload
alongside the ship. After having been in the thickest scrimmage, to be hit, so
far out from the firing line, would have been truly annoying.
Gallipoli, May, 1915
- 19. The Hospital Ship Galeka
- On the ship there was only sufficient accommodation for 150 wounded; we had
on board 500. Although delirious at night, I had the use of my limbs - so I did
orderly work. Sometimes I would be on duty from 7 am to 11 pm, taking what little
food I required when I got the opportunity. The medical officers were splendid.
They worked night and day, scarcely giving themselves time for meals. On one
occasion, Dr Fiaschi Jnr. worked for five hours on one case without a rest. The
body on the left - covered with a blanket - was one of my cases; the poor fellow
'went out' quite unexpectedly; he was not badly wounded. The man sitting on the
right on the seat (a NSW boy). Though he had lost his right arm, was the merriest,
brightest man on the ship.
Gallipoli, May, 1915
- 20. Palace Hospital, Heliopolis
- "Heaven!"
May, 1915
- 21. Fame.
- Fame: - "These are Mine."
Gallipoli, December, 1915