  The handling of wounded in the Dardanelles has been a difficult proposition, which the nature of the country has not tended to lessen. The injured men have to be taken off the shore by small boats and then transferred to hospital ships. These ships are obliged to lie off some distance clear of rifle-bullets and shell-fire. Even then, several cases have occurred of men already wounded receiving further injury through stray shots reaching the ships. A patient was sitting on his cot preparatory to turning in, when a bullet entered the open port and passing through two thicknesses of his pyjamas, buried itself in the deck. A nursing sister standing near at the time was relieved to see the man laughing and holding out his coat for her to examine. These occasional missiles were not fired intentionally at the hospital ships, but came over from trenches running parallel to the shore. In most cases the ships lay out a mile or more. The first batch of wounded I saw came off after the landing at Suvla Bay. They arrived alongside us in a ship's barge towed by a picket-boat. They had been wounded during the night, and presented a sad spectacle, lying in the boat in every conceivable attitude with bandages through which the blood was soaking. Some of them were oblivious of everything, and wore a pathetically dazed look. Others not so badly injured seemed mildly interested in events around them, while the still lighter cases waved to us and appeared quite cheerful. The lightly wounded soldier is probably the happiest of all. He is out of the inferno of battle and is fairly certain of return to health and strength. Those wounded among the first parties landed on an enemy's coast are, generally speaking, bound to undergo the greatest hardships. This specially applies to the Dardanelles. At Suvla Bay the suffering caused was added to by the shortage of water. The shore to which the wounded were brought was entirely devoid of shade, and the blazing sand was intensified by the heat of the sun. Operations on serious cases were performed with the greatest difficulty, and the shallow water close inshore made it impossible for the steam-cutters An undertaking of this kind takes some considerable time when large numbers of sufferers are continually arriving. Consequently the dressing stations rapidly became congested, and it was some days before matters could be reduced to smooth working. As soon as sufficient material had arrived, pontoon piers were built to allow the steam cutters to come right alongside. The drinking-water difficulty was remedied to a large extent a day or two after the landing. War vessels in the harbour using their distilling plants were able to cope with the demand. Lighters, boats with canvas tanks, and in fact anything that would hold water were requisitioned. These were towed as close inshore as the depth would allow, and connected with the beach by pipes. Each lighter carried a portable fire-engine for pumping purposes. This supply greatly alleviated the sufferings of the wounded. A severely injured man may be deadened to a sense of bodily pain, but thirst, which is scarcely ever absent, is the hardest to bear. The amount of sickness among the troops in the Dardanelles far exceeds in proportion that of any other theatre of war. The reasons are not far to seek: want of proper rest, lack of really good water, and, worst of all, innumerable flies. This latter pest is the cause of much sickness, and is a most difficult problem to deal with. One must also take into account the intermittent shell-fire on the bases. This, while it tries the strongest nerves, at the same time tends, through custom, to make men regardless of danger. A large number of hospital ships are naturally required to carry the sick and wounded. As far as can possibly be arranged, one of them is always lying off each base, so that immediately a ship is filled and proceeds to her destination her place is taken by another. The carrying capacity of each vessel varies, though the smaller ones can accommodate even between two and three hundred; the mighty Aquitania, however, takes as many as four thousand. Most of the light cases are conveyed to the islands of Mudros and Lemnos, while the serious ones are taken to England. The most touching sights are the small cemeteries dotted about near the shore. On each grave is a CAPE TEKEH Clouds of Sand blowing Seawards A A SS RIVER CLYDE HELLES ACHI BABA B B ENTRANCE TO DARDANELLES ASIATIC SHORE C C ENTRANCE TO DARDANELLES ASIATIC SHORE KUM KALI THIS PANORAMA READS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM. THUS:—A.A.—B.B.—C.C. SHELLS FALLING ON THE BASE CAMP AT HELLES. These shells come from concealed guns on the slopes of Achi Baba, and from the Asiatic batteries. While causing much hindrance to the work on the beaches, at the same time the casualties are light, due to the wonderful system of dug-outs, the men taking shelter immediately firing begins. SHELLS FALLING ON YENI SHER VILLAGE OFF THE LEFT FLANK AT HELLES. Achi Baba shows beyond the coast-line, and from this point of view is disappointing when seen for the first time. To the right and on the cliff is a brown patch extending from top to bottom, known as Gurka bluff, while immediately to the left of this is a zigzag line of trenches showing the northerly limit of our gain in this area. MONITORS SHELLING YENI SHER VILLAGE AND ASIATIC BATTERIES. The shell-bursts from these vessels on a still day were a wonderful sight. The beautiful shapes of the dense masses of smoke resembled cumulous clouds, hanging as they did for a long time before dispersing. HELLES FRENCH FLAGSHIP SUFFREN SHELLING ACHI BABA. This vessel was often engaged in firing on the enemy's gun positions, her salvoes of high explosive shells making a wonderful picture as they burst. A KITE BALLOON FRENCH FLAGSHIP SUFFREN'S 12-In. SHELLS BURSTING ON WESTERN SLOPES OF ACHI BABA. This drawing was made from H.M.S. Theseus, with the aid of field-glasses. It seemed impossible for anything to live as one watched the tremendous explosions of these heavy shells. OFF CAPE TEKEH BALLOON-SHIP HECTOR WITH KITE BALLOON UP, "SPOTTING" OFF THE LEFT FLANK. The observers in the Balloon are able by their altitude to see the Turkish gun emplacements and to correct by signal to the ship firing the fall of her shot. These Balloons are very stable even in high winds. Up to the present they have escaped any damage despite attempts of every kind by the enemy. TRANSPORTS DISCHARGING TROOPS INTO MOTOR LIGHTERS. Suvla Bay. LANDING AT "A" BEACH, AUGUST 7, 5.30 A.M. A number of fleet boarding steamers took the troops close inshore, whence under the covering fire of warships they were conveyed in motor lighters. Three of these lighters can be seen in the middle distance, where they had grounded on a ridge during the night. Practically all the troops were removed to shore by ships' boats before daylight. The lighters then came under a heavy shell-fire, the enemy doubtless under the impression that they still contained men. TRAWLERS TROOPS LANDING AT "C" BEACH, AUGUST 7. These troops were supporting the night-landing previously effected. A number of casualties were caused by bombs dropped from a hostile aeroplane and by Turkish shells. A TRANSPORT "C" BEACH, AUGUST 8. This beach was extensively used for landing stores and ambulance wagons. In the distance can be seen the Sari Bair range, which runs down to the Australian position at Anzac. SUVLA POINT DRESSING STATION—"A" BEACH. It was here that the largest number of wounded were brought immediately after the landing. The drawing shows the station as it appeared about a month afterwards. SHIP'S BOATS GOING OFF TO A HOSPITAL SHIP WITH WOUNDED. The shallowness of the water close inshore made it no easy matter to get the wounded away. Ship's boats were rowed close in, and the wounded were taken in tow by picket-boats, whence they were towed off to the hospital ships. Smoke drifts from shells H.M.S. TALBOT IN SUVLA BAY SHELLING ENEMY RIDGES AT DUSK. The effect of this vessel's lyddite bursting was very fine, an interesting contrast to this being the flash of her guns which showed a pale lemon colour in the approaching dusk. OFF ANZAC SALT LAKE AND CHOCOLATE HILL. This lake, dry in summer, is hard clear sand, dazzlingly white in sunlight. It was over this that the troops advanced to the attack on Chocolate Hill, on August 7. In the distance is Sari Bair, the highest point of the range, running down to Anzac on the right. A Tug attempting to tow off a lighter at Suvla while under fire LALLA BABA. This position was continually under fire from shrapnel and high explosive shells. These frequently burst among the stores and material on the beach at the foot. Practically no part of the coast held by us is free from enemy shell-fire. LOOKING TOWARDS THE VILLAGE OF ANAFARTA. Lalla Baba is to the left, Salt Lake behind it, a small portion of the latter just on its right. Chocolate Hill is the small hill in the middle distance. Immediately to its right are the "W" hills. The village of Anafarta can be seen on the distant ridge in the right centre of the drawing. LALLA BABA from Suvla Bay H.M.S. SARNIA LANDING TROOPS IN SUVLA BAY. This drawing was made some days after the actual landing. This ship is one of the vessels which took part in the operations at daybreak on August 7. High Explosive Shell bursting. SALT LAKE FROM CHOCOLATE HILL. This sketch, made from a dug-out on Chocolate Hill, shows the position when looking back over the dried-up Salt Lake. At the foot of the hill can be seen the partially burnt-up shrub, while the markings on the lake are caused by ambulance-wagon tracks and other traffic. To the left is Lalla Baba with Suvla Bay in the centre, and in the extreme distance the island of Samothrace. "Hector" with Kite Balloon up TRANSPORTS UNDER SHELL-FIRE—SUVLA BAY. The transports and store-ships frequently came under fire from the Turkish guns. The fact that few casualties were occasioned shows the enemy's gunnery not to have been very accurate. GABA TEPE DRESSING STATION—"A" BEACH The Welsh casualty clearing station. Balloon nearly down SUPPORTING SHIPS AT THE SUVLA LANDING. These war-vessels were used to cover the advancing troops, or to shell any bodies of Turks which could be seen. ANZAC. This sketch was made to the south'ard, and shows the dug-outs and some of the roads made since the occupation. The highest point is Sari Bair. THE ANZAC WATER BOAT, UNDER SHELL FIRE ANZAC. This is the position at which the Australians and New Zealanders made their magnificent landing in the dawn on April 25. The drawing gives some idea of the terrible nature of the coast stormed by these gallant troops. TYPES OF TRANSPORTS MOTOR LIGHTERS. These lighters have been extensively used in landing troops from the transports. They have proved invaluable, being capable of taking as many as 500 men at one time. GENERAL SIR IAN HAMILTON'S HEADQUARTERS. H.M.S. 'TRIAD' SEAPLANE BASE. A general view of the Seaplane base camp from a hill close by. On the left of the sand ridge is a salt-water lagoon, while in the far distance is the Gallipoli peninsula. ENTRANCE TO KEPHALO SEAPLANES AT KEPHALO. The seaplanes in the Dardanelles have done much excellent work, and are extensively used in observing for the ships engaged in bombarding Turkish gun positions. Ship's cutter under sail H.M.S. EXMOUTH IN KEPHALO HARBOUR. French Cruiser Jean D'arc SUBMARINE E11 AT KEPHALO. The vessel commanded by Commander Nasmith, V.C., which penetrated the Narrows and arrived off Constantinople, causing the greatest consternation there by sinking several vessels off the city and one actually alongside the quay. A DESTROYER. H.M.S. BEN-MY-CHREE AT KEPHALO. A seaplane carrier. A SEAPLANE CARRIER. HOSPITAL SHIPS AT KEPHALO. The less serious cases among the wounded were brought from the mainland by hospital carriers and landed at rest camps in the island. GREEK TRADERS FRENCH FLAGSHIP SUFFREN. Carrying the flag of the Contre Amiral Guepratte. This is the vessel shells from which are shown in a previous drawing. LORD TREDEGAR'S HOSPITAL YACHT "LIBERTY" HOSPITAL SHIP AQUITANIA. The enormous bulk of the Aquitania was an outstanding feature in the harbour. The smaller hospital ship alongside is handing over serious cases to be sent back to England. H.M.S. 'Lord Nelson' SUBMARINE E2 RETURNING FROM THE SEA OF MARMORA. Submarines always receive a great ovation from vessels of every nationality in harbour on their return from raids in the Sea of Marmora. MUDROS HARBOUR. In the centre of the drawing is H.M.S. Glory. To the left are some of the French ships; while the Russian cruiser Askold can be seen on the extreme right. The "Majestic's" fore foot still showing above water off Helles HOSPITAL SHIP AQUITANIA AT MUDROS. Some idea can be gained of the size of this vessel by the collier of 8000 tons lying alongside. The Aquitania has a carrying capacity of upwards of 4000 wounded. Printed in Great Britain by |
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