By early May, 1915, the Campaign on the Gallipoli Peninsula had become a costly stalemate. The Turkish defence of their homeland, assisted by German equipment and advice, had been too much for the forces of the British Empire. The commanding General, Sir Ian Hamilton, asked for and was promised five fresh divisions, numbering about 90,000 men, timed to arrive in early August.
On August 6th the Wellington Infantry Battalion, including Allan Burns, prepared to assault the heights which would overlook the Dardanelles and win the Campaign. They were looking forward to a change from trench warfare but were far from being in ideal condition. Thirty percent were suffering from dysentery and probably should have been in hospital. Some Wellington men already in hospital left for the fight, determined not to be out of their units' attack.
On the night before the 6th, fires, movement and noise were forbidden. Men got a good rest and many wrote letters home. White patches were sewn onto uniforms for a night attack. At 8.30pm on the 6th, the men set off.
The Wellingtons ere more than an hour late in taking the forefront of the advance, other units being held up by a strong barbed wire obstacle in the valley of their route, Chailak Dere. Once on the advance, the Dere was difficult, with Turkish troops, well concealed, barring their way. Once out of the Dere, they were in a race against time to make the summit of Chunuk Bair before sunrise robbed them of their advantage of surprise.
Sunrise saw them out of the Dere and onto Rhododendron Spur. Their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Malone, did all in his power to quicken the advance but daylight showed the summit and the Turkish troops on it, obviously aware of their presence.
Malone made the decision to use the Spur as protective cover for the following day. He was advised to attack while the Turks were (possibly) off balance but, knowing how much the tough climb up difficult terrain - and the illness of his men - had knocked the strength out of them, he refused. The situation was explained to their divisional commander, who ordered an immediate assault. The Auckland Battalion, at 11am, began the climb.
The Aucklanders were met with strong machine gun fire from their target and made only 200 yards, occupying an enemy trench after heavy casualties. Attack by daylight was clearly impossible.
At 1am on August 7th, Malone was ordered to make his attack at 4.15, after a heavy bombardment by the artillery which would last for 45 minutes. If the timing of the attack worked, it guns would cease firing just as the Wellingtons reached the crest.
At 3.30am, after catching some sleep, the men were woken. They were still tired and their water and ammunition were running low. They made their way uphill and fixed bayonet on approaching the crest of Chunuk Bair, ready for the fight. On reaching their goal, all they found was a small group of Turkish soldiers on guard duty. Malone had the possibility of advancing further against what seemed like light opposition. Instead, he ordered his men to dig in.
The reason for taking Chunuk Bair was not just for territory. The Royal Navy had attempted previously to "force" the Dardanelles channel, in order to arrive with their guns ranged on the Turkish capital of Constantinople. This, hopefully, would not only force a surrender, it would open the vital supply lines between the Russian Empire, which was woefully unprepared to fight an industrialised war, and the factories of Britain, France and the United States. The Navy were stopped by the forts of the Dardanelles and, if the heights of the Gallipoli Peninsula could be taken, observers could aid the Navy to destroy the forts at long range.
Both sides knew how vital the Peninsula heights were and after a quiet hour of digging, the Turkish Army arrived at 6am on August 8th. Digging in stony ground, the Wellingtons had not been able to make usable trenches and had to make their way to the support trenches where, between the arrival attacking waves, they kept digging. With ammunition running short, the dead were searched for theirs. Bombing was begun from behind Turkish cover and many of them, with fuses burning when they landed, were thrown back.
Around midday the Turkish infantry attacks ceased, to be replaced by a well-practised Turkish artillery battery firing shrapnel at their exposed positions. During this time, the Auckland Mounted Regiment made a dash to reinforce the Wellingtons on the summit.
As the day continued, Malone encouraged his men, determined that they would give up their position. At 3pm he managed to get a runner back to HQ, with a report of the situation and a request for reinforcements.
By the end of the day the survivors were hungry, thirsty, exhausted but still determined. Their Colonel, William Malone, had been killed at around 5pm. They were relieved that evening. Of the 760 Wellington Battalion men who had set off to climb the heights, 711 were dead or wounded. One of those men was Allan Cummock. He was posted as missing, then his death was made official by a Court of Enquiry in January, 1916, after the troops had returned to Egypt.
On August 10th, Chunuk Bair was retaken by Turkish troops under the command of Mustafa Kemal, whose career after the fall of the Ottoman Empire included the dictatorship of the Turkish Republic.
Death of Private Burns
It is with regret that we have to chronicle the death of Lance-Corporal Burns, who was killed at the Dardanelles. Mr Burns was a member of the Masterton Branch, and did duty as platform porter at the Masterton station, and later transferred to Carterton. When war broke out he enlisted with the Main Expeditionary Force, and saw fighting at the first landing at the Dardanelles. He was wounded and sent to the Alexandra Hospital, recovered, and again sent to the front, and in the Suvla Bay landing he was reported missing, and in all probability killed. A later report coming through confirmed the news that he was killed. The Branch forwarded a letter of sympathy to his parents, who reside in Dunedin. -Railway Review, 22/10/ 1915.
IN MEMORIAM
BURNS. — In ever-loving memory of our beloved son, Lance-corporal Allan Cummock, missing, believed killed on August 8th, 1915, at Dardanelles. So loved, so mourned.
Four years have passed; our hearts are sore.
As time rolls on we miss him more
His welcome smile, his loving face;
No one can ever fill dear Allan's place.
— Inserted by his loving parents, sisters, and brothers.
BURNS. — In loving remembrance of Lance-corporal A. C. Burns (missing), believed killed on Gallipoli, August 8th, 1915.
— Inserted by his father, mother, sisters, and brothers. -Evening Star, 8/8/1919.
George Burns was studying at the University of Otago while his brother fought and died on the stony Turkish soil. He qualified as an accountant, then joined the Army in April, 1918. He arrived in Britain in October, 1918, and was there for a week before being admitted to Cannock Chase Hospital, suffering from diarrhoea. He died there of pneumonia, possibly as a result of the epidemic of Spanish influenza.
IN MEMORIAM
BURNS. — In loving memory of rifleman George Ferguson Burns, died of pneumonia, Cannock Chase Hospital, England, November 9th, 1918.
Three long weary years to-day,
Still I long and I watch for you;
Called from this world of sorrow,
Called to a land of rest;
Angels now guard your sweet repose,
And peace succeeds their pain.
— Inserted by his loving parents, brothers, and sisters. -Evening Star, 9/11/1921.
FOR KING AND COUNTRY.
IN MEMORIAM.
BURNS. — In loving memory of Rifleman George Ferguson Burns, who died of pneumonia at Cannock Chase Hospital, England, on the 9th November, 1918.
His cheerful smile and friendly grasp Are pleasant to recall;
He had a kindly word for each, And died beloved by all.
— Inserted by his parents, brothers, and sisters. -Evening Star, 9/11/1925.
Northern Cemetery, Dunedin.
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