hould have fallen, and
much subsequent fighting for its capture would have been avoided.

"Two days later this would have been feasible, but I had to reckon
with the certainty that the enemy would, in that same time, have
received proportionately greater support. I was faced by the usual
choice of evils, and although the result was not what I had hoped, I
have no reason to believe that hesitation and delay would better have
answered my purpose."

CHAPTER LXXV

KRITHIA AGAIN ATTACKED--HEROIC WORK OF "ANZACS"

On April 28, 1915, Sir Ian Hamilton decided to send reenforcements in
force to Anzac Cove. Despite the constant landing of fresh troops
there the Australians and New Zealanders, because of their heavy
losses and the increasing pressure of the Turkish attacks, had been
almost continually in the firing line. They had been able to enjoy
little or no rest or sleep, and things began to look serious.
Accordingly four battalions of the Royal Naval Division were sent to
General Birdwood. On the following day two more naval battalions were
landed and as well a company of the Motor Maxim Section.

These fresh units moved into the Anzac trenches and held them against
renewed Turkish attacks. Meanwhile the Australian and New Zealand
battalions were being reorganized behind the line and after three and
a half days' rest took their places again in the front-line trenches.

From the evening of the 27th of April until May 1 there was
comparative quiet on what might be called the Krithia front, at the
tip of the peninsula. Fresh forces were landed by the French and the
English, the latter bringing into line the Twenty-ninth Indian
Infantry Brigade. Heavy artillery was brought ashore and moved up to
positions inland, and the whole organization of the allied force was
re-formed and strengthened.

At 10 p. m. on the evening of May 1 opened what is known as the first
battle of Krithia. It was elaborately organized by the German staff of
the Turkish forces and took the allied troops by surprise. Indeed, the
first line of the attacking force, creeping up on its hands and knees,
got into the trenches of the Eighty-sixth Brigade and bayoneting most
of the defenders opened up what Sir Ian Hamilton subsequently
described as "an ugly gap." Thanks to the fine conduct of some
territorial units, however, the Turks were not able to press home this
temporary advantage and the hole was soon closed.

Along the rest of the British fr