HC Deb 06 May 1915 vol 71 cc1273-4
Mr. BONAR LAW

Can the Prime Minister give the House any information about the Dardanelles?

The PRIME MINISTER

The House and the country are in possession of the official statement issued by the War Office and Admiralty on Saturday, the 1st May. I am able to add a few more details.

It will be remembered that it was decided to land at three main points simultaneously—at Cape Helles and Sedd-el-Bahr, the southernmost point of the Gallipoli Peninsula; at Kapa Tepe, about 13 miles North on the Western shore; and at Kum Kale, on the Asiatic side. The landing on the Asiatic coast was essential, in order to silence the hostile batteries which could interfere with the landing on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

At dawn on 25th April the landing took place, the troops making use of six landing places. The 29th Division landed at Sedd-el-Bahr, the Australian and New Zealand Corps at Kapa Tepe, and the French force at Kum Kale. By nightfall 29,000 men had been disembarked in face of fierce oppression from Infantry and Artillery entrenched behind successive lines of wire entanglements. The leading troops of the 29th Division were held up all day at the amphitheatre just west of Sedd-el-Bahr, but at sunset they executed a fine attack along the heights from Tekke Burnu, which enabled a good position to be taken up covering the disembarkation of the remainder of the Division. The leading Brigade of Australian and New Zealand Corps, under the command of General Birdwood, were towed to the beach at Kapa Tepe at 4.30 a.m. on the morning of the 25th, and landed in complete silence. The enemy opened a heavy fire at point-blank range; the beach, however, was rushed with the bayonet, and the attack was carried with utmost dash up the slopes of the Sari Bair Hill.

The French forces effected their landing at Kum Kale and advanced with great gallantry against Yeni-Shanhr.

Every report received speaks of the magnificent co-operation of the naval forces.

I regret to say that the losses in these operations were heavy, including the death of Brigadier-General Napier, commanding the 88th Brigade.

During the 26th, the disembarkation continued, the troops ashore being subjected to continuous and determined attacks by the enemy; these were in every case repulsed with loss; the 29th Division, under the command of General Hunter Weston, pressed forward and with great valour carried the Turkish position of Sedd-el-Bahr, which consisted of a labyrinth of rocks, ruined houses, and wire entanglements.

By the evening of 27th April, the 29th Division was firmly established across the Peninsula, having advanced about two miles from the point of landing; they had been joined by the French troops who, having fulfilled their task, had re-crossed from the Asiatic side. The Australian and New Zealand Corps had defeated every counter attack made against them, and had steadily gained ground east of the point where they had disembarked. During the 28th and 29th April the further disembarkation of troops and stores continued and progress was made.

By the 2nd of May a further advance had been made by the French and British troops at the Southern end of the Peninsula, and also by the Australian and New Zealand Corps, which had been reinforced by the Royal Naval Division, and the position has by now been everywhere consolidated.

In the successful performance of this most difficult operation of war, namely, a landing on an open beach in face of determined opposition, the troops engaged have displayed unsurpassed courage and skill.

The operations are being continued and pressed forward under highly satisfactory conditions.