of stores containing seven
days' supply of biscuits and preserved meat together with ammunition.
Inspections by Generals Birdwood and Godley, and the Divisional
Commander, at frequent intervals, were an index to the importance of the
position in their eyes.

The Battalion now came under bombardments which were indulged in by the
enemy three or four times daily. Six-inch shells, filled with black
powder, were common but did little damage--except to the earthworks.
Some of these could be observed in flight as they traversed the position
and fell over into one or other of the ravines. "Whizz-bangs" were more
deadly, and shrapnel accounted for a number of casualties which, during
the stay in the line, amounted to two killed and 11 wounded. One of
these smaller shells tore away the tarpaulin which covered the
Quartermaster's stores and was followed immediately by a heavy shell
which landed right amongst them and scattered biscuits and tins of bully
beef broadcast.

At 8 o'clock on the night of the 9th December an explosion occurred in
one of the enemy's deep-level tunnels. No damage was done to our
garrison or works. The Turk followed this up with such a concentrated
rifle and machine-gun fire across the Nek as had never before been
experienced by the Battalion. An hour later all was normal again, and
the indications seemed to point to the subterranean eruption having been
accidental and attributed by the Turk to our side as the precursor of an
attack.

The 28th did not submit tamely to the frequent bombardments. Our
artillery, from both land and sea, replied in a spirited manner. Hand
bombs were also thrown, and the small trench mortars, catapults, and
Japanese trench mortar, were brought constantly into play. One of the
bombs of this last-named weapon was observed to penetrate into a trench,
and the explosion which followed threw into the air various articles of
personal apparel. Shortly afterwards a Turk was seen to emerge
barefooted from the trench, walk deliberately into No-Man's Land, and
remove a pair of boots from the feet of a dead body lying there. He
returned to his shelter without having been observed by the snipers.

The 11th December brought a surprise for the Battalion. It was informed
that in accordance with the policy of reducing the garrisons during the
winter months, the 7th Brigade would embark on the following day. The
Divisional Commander's plan included the relief of the garrison of
Russell's Top