14 August 1915: Suvla Bay, one huge blunder

Duty 1200 to 1800, position unchanged.
Later: The Suvla Bay operations of 7 August were one huge blunder. If the orders from General Headquarters had been carried out all would have been well. General Stopford (it was he who got the blame for it) bungled things up at the critical moment.
And it was for this blunder, that our boys and the New Zealanders paid dearly for.  Anzacs were giving all the assistance they could for the Suvla Bay landing.  They carried line after line of trenches and fortified hills and finally reached the objective - Hill 971. The key of the Peninsula. 
Had General Stopford acted as he should have done, and rushed reinforcements to the assistance of the New Zealanders, Australians and Ghurkas in time, all would have been well.  Unable to hold out against the enemy any longer, they had perforce to retire.  Anzacs were relieved after retiring to a safe position and their place was taken by the Cheshires, Leinsters and the Munsters, Connaught Rangers.  The two former Regiments were composed of poor miserable looking Tommys whilst the Munsters were a steadier and sturdier lot. 
The Turks counter attacked again and panic seized the Cheshires.  They jumped out of the trenches and bolted down the hills and they didn’t stop until they came to the sea.
Anzacs had to go again to the rescue (By this time the poor devils were nearly dead for want of sleep. They were completely worn out) and were just in time to prevent the Leinsters from taking to their heels. 
Capt McNeill a New Zealander turned a machine gun on to them and drove them back into the trench.  Through lack of courage on the part of the Cheshires and Leinsters, other Regiments, both Anzacs and Suvla Bay suffered severely.  It was during these operations that the 3rd L H Brigade made their famous charge. 
Every man knew that to even show his head over the trench he would be killed, but they cared not.  The order came and they charged.  Not one man got more than 50 yards from the trenches, yet they charged and charged again.  The whole Brigade was almost wiped out.   It was another charge of the Light Brigade and another mistake.
By Heavens it makes a chap proud he’s an Australian and to associate with such daredevils. (from 5 APRIL 1916)
J. A. Graham

Detail from The charge of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade at the Nek, 7 August 1915. George Lambert (1873–1930). Australian War Memorial catalogue number ART07965. Public domain. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_charge_of_the_3rd_Light_Horse_Brigade_at_the_Nek_7_August_1915.jpg