| Regiment | 5th Wiltshire |
|---|---|
| Location | Gallipoli, Anzac |
| Entry | Move together with 8th Batt. Welsh Regt to Lala Baba - starting 20.00 and reaching bivouac approx 23.30. The stay in the Anzac region therefore lasted from Aug 2nd to Sept 5th. The 13th Division was relieved by New Zealanders who were to hold our line. Some Essex Territorials (apparently unattached) were also brought in. The men had by this time recovered to a considerable extent from the results of the events of the previous narrative. Nevertheless the traces of general debility are very conspicuous among our and all men after even this short stay on the peninsular. Very notable in the endeavours to rally men's willpower is the absence of good N.C.O's as there is no reserve of likely junior N.C.O's suitable for promotion. Note on condition of troops, due to climate, exertion etc. Position at LALA BABA 103 P 5-6 No. 2 Beach A) Engaged in Fatigues Nightly 100 men unloading lighters on C Beach. B) Working on Inner Defences chiefly constructing an apparent useless communication trench to Well No.2 C) Working under supervision of Engineers on construction of Winter Bivouacs. In addition to these fatigues a systematic attempt was made to train specialist Machine Gun, Bombing and telephone classes were started. This work of reconstruction was undertaken at least throughout by the fortieth Bde. With this work the shortage of officers became very conspicuous (5) The principal of the R.E's Bivouac scheme seems to be the accommodation of as many men to the square yards as possible and the camp will eventually (if completed) become long galleries untraversed and roofed with corrugated iron sheets. These sheds will stretch in lines 42 feet back from the cliff. The Lala Baba position shelled daily. The intensity varying. Any large body passing over the skyline behind cliff generally drew fire. |
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