2nd-6th May, 1915

Chapter I – The Struggle for Krithia
4 THE STORY OF ANZAC [2nd-6th May, 1915
Returning to Anzac, Birdwood sent for Bridges and Godley, the commanders of his two divisions, and asked each to withdraw at once from the line his most effective brigade. Bridges chose the 2nd, 5 commanded by Colonel M’Cay. In the N.Z. & A Division the only brigade which could possibly be sent was that of the New Zealand infantry. Although the Otago Battalion had been heavily engaged in the previous night’s attack on Baby 700, the brigade still numbered 2493; the 4th Australian Infantry Brigade, the strength of which had been given on May 2nd as 3,430, was after that fight estimated at no more than 1,811.
The order to withdraw the troops had already been sent out and the Otago Battalion and part of the Canterbury, just emerging from the battle, had been directed to the Beach, when the move was postponed by G.H.Q. The twenty guns, however, were sent on May 4th, and on the same day the arrival of the Fusilier brigade of the 42nd (East Lancashire Territorial) Division, for which he was waiting, enabled Hamilton to determine that the great attempt should be launched on the morning of May 6th. The reinforcement from Anzac was therefore ordered to move south on the night of the 5th. “I am sending my two best brigades,” Birdwood telegraphed.
It was obviously important that the Turks should have no inkling of this transfer, since it would lead them to guess both that the Anzac line had been weakened and that an attack was impending at Helles. It was therefore planned that the troops should embark immediately after nightfall and, making the two-hour’ sea-journey during the dark, should be in bivouac at Helles before daylight. By careful arrangement the brigades, with the bearer sub-divisions” of their respective field ambulances, were relieved, rationed, equipped, and at dusk concentrated beside their boats and lighters at specially marked embarking-points. Unfortunately the destroyers and fleet-sweepers 6 which were to carry them were delayed by heavy seas, although Anzac Cove was as usual protected from the wind. On the Beach, since fires were impossible, the troops sat shivering until midnight, when the
5 The 1st had 2.874 men-as against 2,568 of the 2nd-but its commander Gen Walker was newly-appointed and a British officer, whereas M'Cay was an Australian whose leadership, Bridges thought had been considerably improved by the past week‘s experience in the field. Moreover, M’Cay’s brigade was less disorganised than the 1st
6 Swift packet-boats from England temporarily fitted for mine-sweeping with the fleet.
6th May, 1915] STRUGGLE FOR KRITHIA 5
New Zealanders began to embark. It was plain daylight before the last of the fleet-sweepers carrying the Australians left for Helles.