Locally, all eyes are now centred on the important operations which have been in progress on the western extremity of the Gallipoli Peninsular. These comprise two separate lines of attack and in one of these, resulting from a new landing successfully effected in strong force at Salva Bay, at the extreme north of the west coast, it is now clear that the 1/5th Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment form part of the fresh Army which is being employed.

The landing is officially reported to have been well planned and carried out by the Navy, but the attack from Sulva did not make the progress which was counted upon before the enemy were able to move up considerable forces from his reserves, and the attack was brought to a standstill after an advance of about two and a half miles.

The ground gained in this attack and one delivered simultaneously from the old Anzac position was, however, sufficient to enable the two lines to be connected along a front of more than 12 miles, and on the arrival of further reinforcements a renewed attack was made on August 21st on the centre of the extended line.

The advanced Turkish trenches were stormed and all divisions engaged reached points on the slopes and spurs of the hills which formed the enemy's centre, but after several hours of sharp fighting they were unable to gain the summits and, the intermediate positions in this part of the line not being capable of permanent defence, they were withdrawn to their original front.

Very severe and continuous fighting with heavy losses to both sides has resulted, and our forces have not yet gained the objectives at which they were aiming, though they have made a decided advance towards them, and have greatly increased the area in out possession.

The losses inflicted upon the enemy are reported to be undoubtedly much heavier even than our own, and the severity of the fighting has for many days past been reflected in the heavy lists of casualties among the officers engaged on the Peninsular. Up to yesterday the number of officer casualties reported over a period of ten days had reached a total of 916, and these include only two of the casualties as having been officially reported among the officers of the 1/5th Bedfordshires.

In view of the losses sustained by the County Battalion, we reproduce the accompanying photograph of the officers of the 5th Bedfordshires which was specially taken for the Luton Reporter just before they left St Albans on war service, and below we set out the names and positions in the group of the officers who we known up to yesterday [August 29th, 1915] to be either killed, wounded or missing.

Reading from left to right, the first officer on the back row is Lieut E. V. Andreini, formerly associated with Luton and believed to be missing. Next but one to him is Second-Lieut C. T. Yarde, of Bedford, who was wounded on August 15th, and last but one on the row is Lieut F. W. Ballance, only son of the Assistant Overseer of Dunstable, who was also wounded on August 15th.

In the third row the officer on the extreme left is Second-Lieut P. R. Chaundler. son of the Clerk to the Biggleswade Urban and Rural District Councils, who was the first officer of te Battalion reported wounded. Fifth in the row is Lieut F. S. Shoosmith, the officer from Luton in charge of the Machine Gun Section, who was killed on August 21st. Last but one on the right on the row, and next to the Medical Officer of the Battalion, is Second-Lieut R. D. J. Brighten, youngest brother of the Commanding Officer, who is reported missing.

Second among the Captains sitting in the second row is Capt C. T. Baker, son of the Rector of Dunstable, who was killed on the 15th, and second from the other end is the well-known figure of Captain Brian C. Cumberland, son of Mr Hugh Cumberland, who was killed the same day.

On the extreme left of the front row is Lieut C. R. James, of Biggleswade, brother-in-law of Col Brighten, who was wounded on the 16th.

Lieut C. R. Lydekker, of Harpenden, who was killed on the 15th, does not figure in the photograph, but his elder brother, Lieut G. Lydekker, who recently succeeded Lieut Kiddle as Quarter-Master of the Battalion, is standing next to Second-Lieut Yarde, fourth from the left on the back row.

[Luton Reporter: Monday, August 30th, 1915]