r
batteries. An officer there told us they intended to give the Turk a
hot night and this will draw the enemy's fire about our new station,
and as this is the first night ashore of these two officers I hope
they will enjoy it. They arrived from the "Marquette" this morning
along with Lt.-Col. Th. Fraser.

We had our usual visit from an enemy aeroplane this morning. Repeated
shots went after it but away it flew towards the Narrows. The Asiatic
guns have given us no trouble for two days. Commander Samson is said
to have reported that two of these are disabled.

_May 4th._--As far as the weather goes every day has been perfect
since we came to Gallipoli--maximum of sun absolutely, and cloudless
sky by night always, except on two occasions.

We still wait for reinforcements which, however, are arriving, many
French troops landing at V. Beach. Our men are due from Egypt to-day.
Last night the artillery and rifle fire was again constant, especially
on our right, where the French lines were again driven in by the
Turks, but during the day they are said to have recovered their lost
position.

Two aeroplanes passed over us to-day, one firing three bombs, the
other two--no damage. Our aeroplanes were also active, circling time
after time round Achi Baba at a height of perhaps 5000 feet. From 110
to 120 shots were fired at one of ours, all missing. An aeroplane came
down just behind our camp for orders. We had no aerodrome nearer than
Tenedos before. Here we have prepared a landing place, which is
beautifully level, but being exposed to gunfire we cannot retain our
machines over night, all have to return to Tenedos.

We have had notice this afternoon that our Brigade, the famous 86th,
no longer exists as a Brigade. After its wonderful feats of bravery we
have heard this with the greatest sadness, but some of the battalions
being reduced to a fourth or a fifth of their original strength, and
the officers killed and wounded in a still greater proportion, there
was no help but to amalgamate with the other two Brigades of our
Division--87th and 88th. The Company of Hants who were with us on the
"River Clyde" did well. No unit in the whole Division receives greater
praise for its work than the Royal Scots (Queen's Own Edinburgh).

According to the original programme the French were to land on the
Asiatic side and advance up that side of the Dardanelles, but this
they either failed to do or we had enough work for all on this si