TCD MS 3414 folio 65 recto
[November 1915]
matter of fact were reported to be retiring from point X at this time. This flank march carried out within such short rifle range practically wiped out the Oxfordshires. At 10 a.m. V.P was taken, the 17th Bde was split up all over the country & regiments divided up on account of the flank march orders which only reached certain companies of regiments. Col Lethwidge for instance continued to advance towards the arch, while Gen Houghton lost control of his brigade. Now the 18th Bde had not got far enough round & was converged to the left of their proper position, almost adjoining the 16th Bde, while the Flying Column was only just on the right of the 18th Bde. The Naval flotilla was pounding away at New Cut. The Turks were retiring from their front to their second line, and an attack was just developing from V.P. by the 16 Bde & oddments from the 17th amongst whom were 40 men of the Oxfordshires under Lt Wynter who was killed. <Lt Fulton RFC was also captured in his Martin Syde owing to Engine failure. Lt Robertson made a splendid attempt to blow up the Dialah bridges with 2, 50 lb bombs one only narrowly missing the mark.> This was the general situation as reported by me to Gen Nixon & Townshend at 11.15 a.m., for I had been in the air with Capt Petre from 9.30 to 10.30 a.m. It was a sight which I shall never forget, for on the sand I could see every burst of the shells as they searched the trenches: the shooting was marvellous, & I could even see the dust knocked up by the shrapnel & HE within a few yards either side of the trenches, & the dead Turks lying in dozens around.