so that they might be
replaced from the relieved battalion without causing a break in the
continuity of the services.

Russell's Top was another "Apex" and a cockshy for any enemy guns that
were within range. The possession of it denied to the enemy observation
of the beach and piers. The ascent to it was by a winding road cut in
the feature which separated Happy Valley from Mule Gully. Its flanks
rested on precipices 150 to 200 feet high and away to the right rear ran
a long narrow tongue of cliff terminating at "The Sphinx." In front lay
"The Nek" across which our Light Horse had so gallantly attempted to
charge on the 6th August.

Both sides had pushed forward their trenches until very little space
separated them from one another. Mining and countermining had been very
active, and galleries, on three different levels, ran forward under the
Nek. The 26th Battalion had broken through into the Turkish workings in
one or two places, and some spirited bombing and revolver shooting had
taken place in the bowels of the earth. At the rear of the position a
large gallery had been commenced with a view to tunnelling right under
the Turkish works on Battleship Hill. Such progress had been made that
at the beginning of December the head of the drive was underneath the
enemy's second line of trenches. Into these different workings went the
28th mining party under Sergt. Arundel, whilst sentries stationed at
various points were charged with the duty of listening for countermining
and to act in case of a sudden break-through.

[Illustration: A CONFERENCE ON WALKER'S RIDGE,
December, 1915.
Generals Birdwood, Godley, and Holmes, Colonel Paton, and
Lt.-Colonels Ferguson, Collett, and G. H. N. Jackson.]

"B," "C," and "D" Companies were in the front line in that order from
the right. "A" Company was in reserve. The first-named unit had a
considerable length of trench to deal with--part of which was known as
"Bully Beef Sap," and ran down into Monash Gully opposite to Pope's
Post. From the top of this sap a magnificent view of the southern part
of the Peninsula could be obtained, and it was to that point that Lord
Kitchener was brought on the occasion of his visit. Behind the right
flank of the position, and leading down into Reserve Gully ran a deep
wide trench known as "Broadway." This constituted the main traffic road
for the bringing up of supplies and reinforcements. Behind this again,
and on the edge of the cliff, was a pile