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This proved, however, to be merely in the nature of a literary demonstration to divert the attention of the none too credulous Turk from the real purpose of the allied command. While the fleet of transports and warships was approaching the two bases under cover of the night, the Australian and New Zealand troops at Anzac and the British troops at Suvla were hastily preparing for leaving.
Presumably, one of those hill-tops, just visible, was old Achi Baba, which had defeated the invaders of Helles; and another, Sari Bair, beneath which lay the invaders of Suvla, wondering if they, too, had been beaten by a paltry hill. The entrancing sight was bound to work upon Doe's nature.
The success of the Suvla and Anzac evacuation made the position at Cape Helles more dangerous. The Turks were on the lookout, and it seemed almost impossible that they could be again deceived. On January 7th an attack was made by the Turks upon the trenches, which was beaten back. That night more than half the troops had left the Peninsula.
"This Suvla army, unless it can get to the top of Sari Bair, is faced with destruction, and they tell me the Helles army is just the same, unless it can get to the top of Achi Baba. It never will now, sir. And how can we quit without being seen from those hills? The 'Uns know they've got us trapped. That's why they're coming through Servia, ammunition and all. They'll be on us soon."
An officer came up, and with grim meaning handed me the typed copy of an official telegram. "Here's the key to yesterday's riddle," he explained. I took it and read: "Suvla and Anzac successfully evacuated. No casualties." The officer waited till I had finished, and then said: "Well, what's our position on Helles now? A bit dickey, eh?"
When the attempt to get through from Suvla failed the public turned to Bulgaria, and, on the strength of what they read, many of those on the Peninsula could not help doing the same.
Those men who went out with a lot of "la-di-da swank" soon found that they were nowhere in the game with the man who cut his drill trousers into shorts went about with his shirt sleeves rolled up and didn't mind getting himself dirty. There were very few "knuts" and they soon got cracked! Shouting and talking was another point in scouting at Suvla Bay.
After estimates of our forces and of the difficulties they may expect to encounter, Hunter-Weston comes to the conclusion that, "the only landing places worth serious consideration are: " . Those near Cape Suvla, . Those near Cape Helles." Of these two he advises Helles, because: "the Fleet can also surround this end of the Peninsula and bring a concentrated fire on any Turks holding it.
Apparently the East Cheshires are holding an awkward position on a place called Fusilier Bluff, and being killed like stink by a well-placed whizz-bang gun. They've got about fifty men and half an officer left per company. They're screaming for reinforcements. Salt and pepper, please. Thanks." "Where is this Fusilier Bluff, sir?" asked I. "At Suvla or Helles?"
When at last the mails brought us month-old papers from England, we read that "The gallant Australians" at Suvla "took" Lala Baba and Chocolate Hill; indeed, as Hawk read out in our dug-out one mail-day
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