s.
Later in the day these orders were cancelled, and the 28th was directed
to take over the "Apex" salient from the Otago Battalion, N.Z. Infantry.
At 7 o'clock that evening Waterfall Gully was evacuated and the
Battalion moved up the Chailak Dere to the ravines between Bauchop's
Hill, Little Table Top, and Rose Hill. There the night was spent and
next evening, the "Apex" position having been reconnoitred, "C" and "D"
Companies moved to the front line and relieved the New Zealanders. "A"
and "B" Companies took up a position in reserve some 300 yards in rear,
near the head of the Chailak Dere. One platoon of "A" Company and the
Machine Gun Section were posted on Canterbury Slope--a position in
support of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade and on the left flank of
Rhododendron Spur.

The position the Battalion was now responsible for was the neck or
junction of the Rhododendron Spur with the Sari Bair feature. On the
right was the Sazli Beit Dere, and on the left the southern arm of the
Aghyl Dere. Behind was the ravine of the Chailak. The trenches ran along
in a pothook shape from Rhododendron Spur down to the Cheshire Ridge, on
the north side. Opposite to the centre was the actual summit, which was
called the "Pinnacle," and was held by the Turks. Here they had erected
a block house, which stood about 50 yards from our own trench. The enemy
earthworks lined the opposite sides of the gullies at a range varying
from 100 to 250 yards from our position--the right of which could be
enfiladed from the blockhouse.

To hold this salient was of vital importance. Its loss would have
severed the Australian line, turned the flank of the Cheshire Ridge, and
exposed to enfilade fire most of the ground gained to the northward
during the August fighting. A strong garrison and special vigilance were
both necessary. To this post of honour the Western Australian portion of
the 7th Infantry Brigade was allotted by reason of the high standard of
efficiency it had attained during the training period.

The remainder of the 7th Brigade was disposed as follows:--25th and 27th
Battalions on Cheshire Ridge, the left of the former resting on the
Aghyl Dere, and the right of the 27th joining up with the 28th, near
Apex. The 26th Battalion was held in Divisional Reserve, at Taylor's
Hollow, and supplied working parties for engineering and beach duties.
One company of the 27th was available as a reserve in the hands of the
Brigadier, who was located abou