noise of
troops advancing. All came to nought. The Turk uttered not a sound, and
after the firing ceased the West Australians, appreciating some humour
in the situation, went about their day's work with broad smiles on their
faces.

Aeroplanes occasionally made their appearance above the contending
armies. To the man in the trench it seemed that some arrangement existed
whereby our aviators should not use the same days in the week as the
Turk. Never were the two seen in the air at the one time and the
infantry, who were spoiling to witness an aerial combat, were greatly
disappointed. An appearance was usually the signal for a little practice
by the anti-aircraft guns, one of which was located in the 1st
Division's sector. The enemy gunners had better luck than ours, for
twice during the Battalion's stay they succeeded in winging our men--one
of whom made a forced landing on Suvla Lake and the other in the sea,
not far from the shore, about half a mile further south. Here they
provided a target for the field guns and, in the former instance, the
machine, viewed from the Apex, soon resembled a fly whose wings had been
burned off. Whilst at Cheshire Ridge the 28th observed a hostile aviator
traverse the line from right to left, flying at an altitude of a few
hundred feet only. The pilot leaned over the side of the car as he
passed over the West Australians and waved his hand to them. The rifle
fire directed at him apparently did no harm and in a few seconds he
disappeared in the direction of Suvla.

Between the 17th and 20th of the month the Battalion suffered four
casualties (wounds) from shrapnel. On the evening of the 25th the Turks
landed in the Chailak Dere several heavy high explosive shells. At 11
a.m. on the 27th they opened a brisk fire all along the brigade sector
and up towards Suvla. The beach behind was also shelled by the big guns.
The "stand to" was ordered but, as usual, firing died down without
further development. The rest of the brigade had a number killed and
wounded but the 28th escaped unscathed. For the remainder of the month
the enemy was comparatively quiet.

Lieut. J. F. Quilty arrived from Egypt on the 24th and brought seven men
as a reinforcement.

[Illustration: "A" COMPANY.
Getting ready to move from the Reserve position at Cheshire Ridge.
_Photo. lent by Mr. T. Pritchard._]

Sickness increased during the month and seriously affected the officers.
The Adjutant (Captain Lamb), Captains M