EC0714

Only 5 copies in Worldcat.

"Including 'The Landing at Gaba Tepe'" -- cover


On May 4, 1915, a party of 100 men from the battalion, led by Capt. Leane and a detail of engineers, launched an unsuccessful attack on a Turkish fort at Gaba Tepe which was being used to observe artillery fire onto Australian positions around Anzac Cove. The Turks opened heavy fire on the party which was forced to withdraw. The Australians lost 4 killed, including a 2nd Lieutenant, and 19 others were wounded. The raid was the AIF's first of the war.

At this point, the battalion estimated that it had suffered 38 killed, 200 wounded and 197 missing. On May 15, the battalion received 244 reinforcements, bringing its total strength to 23 officers and 723 other ranks.

In the early morning on May 19, Turkish forces launched an attack against the left flank of the Australian lines, which developed into a major battle along the whole Australian front. The attack was repulsed with heavy losses. The 11th battalion suffered nine killed and eight wounded, mainly from shrapnel. One Turkish officer and five soldiers surrendered. On May 21, a truce was declared and a burial party from the 12th battalion was sent out. However it was fired at by the Turks and as a result burial parties were discontinued. A similar truce was declared on May 24. A line was drawn halfway between the two lines and each side sent out parties to bury the dead and collect equipment.
--Wikipedia 11th Battalion (Australia)