of General Sir Bryan Mahon, a Galway
man, who saw much service in Egypt and the Soudan, and in the South
African War led the column which relieved Mafeking.

In a way, it is a pity that things were not so arranged as to have
brought these unseasoned and unhardened Irish troops gradually to the
great and searching test of war, that they were not afforded the
opportunity of feeling the land of the foe under their feet, and
becoming somewhat familiar with its extraordinary geographical
conditions and climate, before they had to rush into battle. In
warfare all that depends, usually, upon unforeseen circumstances, and
the chance disposition of the forces. But it may have happened by
special direction in this case; and, if so, it was a compliment to the
10th Division. "It is true they are new and untried, but they are
Irish," it was probably said at Headquarters, "and being Irish, they
may be relied upon, however hard and tough their job." In any case,
both Brigades were successful in the enterprises to which they were
set.

The disembarkation was carried out under fire from the Turkish
batteries on the hills. The men were taken from the transports in
steam-driven barges, and though the barges had sheltering sides of
steel, several men were killed and wounded by exploding shells even
before they reached the shore. Half of the 30th Brigade, consisting of
the two battalions of the Munsters, to whom was allotted the task of
capturing Karakol Dagh, were landed to the north of Suvla Bay, just
under the ridge. "How I wish that their fathers and mothers could know
more of how these brave fellows fought and died!" writes the
Commanding Officer of one of the Munster battalions in a letter to his
relatives. "They, alas! for the most part just see the names of their
dear ones in a casualty list, and can learn nothing further. The beach
on which we landed was sown with contact mines, and as we crossed it
to form up under cover of a small hill, many a poor chap was blown to
bits--not very encouraging for those approaching in other boats. But
they never wavered, but landed, and formed up as quietly and steadily
as they used to do on the parade ground at the Curragh. I asked one
poor chap who was slightly injured how he had got through, and he
said, 'All I could think of, sir, was how anxious you must be to see
how we would behave.' That is the spirit that one likes to see in a
battalion."

The landing place of the other half of the 3