The general display of energy of the infantry

TCD MS 3414 folio 20 recto

TCD MS 3414 folio 20 recto

[May-June 1915]

be made through water, mud, & reeds, right up to the enemys trenches. Preparations were made accordingly, & as far as I experienced it was the only occasion where anything like satisfactory arrangements were ever made for the wounded. The 16th & 18th Brigades were held in readiness <to embark> on river steamers to join in the persuit.

At 5.30 a.m. on the 31st May <1915> our artillery opened with a preliminary bombardment and at about 6.30 <a.m.> we advanced, <to carry out> our amphibious attack. This was the first occasion that I had ever been in action & the thundering of so many guns & the sight of the bursting shells which never seemed to miss their mark filled one with me with wonder and excitement; the shrieking of the shells over head, the enemy shells bursting over our sloops & the general display of energy on the part of the infantry greatly impressed me as I made my way through the reeds with with No 12 platoon of the 43rd. On nearing the Turkish trenches I was soon brought to my senses by the zip-zip of bullets hitting the water all round us, the swish-swish of those going over our heads, & the occasional “plonk” as one hit a canoe. Of all the modern inventions for the destruction of human life in the warfare of today, rifle & machine gun fire, is to me far the most