ory military service troops of the Continental
system.

Some extremely interesting details of the preparation for the landing
at Suvla Bay have been given by a correspondent who was permitted to
be present, but who, like all except a few officers of General Ian
Hamilton's immediate staff, was kept in absolute ignorance of the
exact location of the spot selected.

"It has long been obvious that some new landing on a vast scale was
about to be attempted," he wrote, "and surmise has therefore been rife
as to the exact point on which the blow would fall. It was hoped to
take the Turk completely by surprise, and to obtain a firm foothold on
the shore before he could bring up his reenforcements. In this it
would seem as if we have been successful, for two divisions were
yesterday (August 7, 1915) put ashore almost without opposition. The
enemy probably had accurate knowledge of the arrival of large
reenforcements, for it is almost impossible to keep movements of
troops unknown in the Near East, and his airmen have frequently flown
over our camps. He knew, therefore, we were preparing to strike, but
on the vital point as to where the blow would fall he seems to have
been entirely ignorant.

"No one who has not seen a landing of a large army on a hostile shore
can have any idea of the enormous amount of preparation work and
rehearsal which must precede any such movement. For three weeks this
has been going on incessantly.

"For many days past a division has been practicing embarking and
disembarking until every officer and every man knew the exact role he
had to play.

"On the morning of August 6, 1915, I was told to hold myself in
readiness to embark that evening for an unknown destination, which
would not be disclosed to me until after I got on board the transport.
There was general rejoicing among the troops when it became known that
the period of preparation was at length passed and that the hour for
action had at last arrived.

"Throughout the whole of August 6, 1915, the work of embarking
proceeded without a stop. Dense masses of fully equipped infantry,
each carrying two days' rations, and tin dishes strapped on their
knapsacks, moved down to the quay and were there embarked. The troops
seemed in excellent spirits and full of fight. They were cracking
jokes and singing many familiar songs, the favorite of which seemed to
be a blending of 'Tipperary' with 'Are We Downhearted?' Which query
was answered by a deafen