edit on the N.C.O.'s and men the manner in which the work was
carried through.

From the manner in which the enemy opened fire on the whole position
which we were attacking a few minutes after the explosion of the mine,
it must be inferred that he had some knowledge that the attack was to
take place. His fire was specially directed at the mouth of the tunnel,
and whether he had heard mining operations being carried out on the
cliff or not cannot be definitely stated, but this fire was responsible
for a great number of the casualties which we suffered.

The Battalion was greatly indebted on that day to the 155th Brigade, who
were holding the trenches from which the parties in both attacks
started. They supplied the Battalion with several hot meals, the benefit
of which was fully realised, especially after our previous engagement in
July, when such thorough arrangements could not be carried out.

On the morning of 20th December the Commanding Officer received messages
of congratulation from the Brigade, Divisional and Corps commanders.
The Brigadier visited the trenches and informed us that the evacuation
of Anzac had been successfully carried out the previous night. The
object of our local attack at Krithia nullah, which was timed to take
place in conjunction with other two attacks, one on the right carried
out by the French, and one on the left carried out by the 42nd Division,
was to hold the enemy to the Helles line should the Turks at Anzac and
Suvla discover that our forces were evacuating the latter position.

With the news that the General brought us, it was apparent that the
object had been successfully accomplished, and it was certainly
gratifying to learn this, as the actual results of the attacks judged in
yards of trenches gained did not seem to justify the number of splendid
officers and men whom we had lost.

On the 21st December the Battalion was relieved from the trenches which
they had recently captured and moved into support lines where we
remained for a few days. The time here was not altogether comfortable,
as we had several nights heavy rain and a considerable amount of
shelling from the enemy's artillery.

We moved back into the line again a day before Christmas, and on
Christmas day the Turk gave us a very heavy bombardment by way of
greeting.

That night orders were issued that all troops on the Peninsula would
cease fire at a certain hour and this was to be continued until the moon
was we