News of success had come with a laconic message from the Australian major-general ashore. He had stated that despite the large number of casualties when his men had splashed and struggled up the beach, the first Turk to receive a Dominion bayonet had died within half an hour of landing. The firing had been almost continuous, and it was known that the Turks were rushing in reinforcements and heavier guns to block any further gains. It had become almost impossible to move casualties out to the hospital ship and other transports by day because of enemy artillery, so the work was done at night, each pain-laden boat groping through the darkness until they could find a refuge for the wounded. Jonathan Blackwood had sensed a change amongst the young marines. From the initial excitement and comradeship their mood had become resentful and bitter. Lieutenant-Colonel Waring had already carried out his threat to punish any insubordination without mercy. At the end of the second day as cease-firing was sounded on bugle and turret-gongs alike, Jonathan could feel the hostility all around him as the marines stumbled out into the dying sunlight.
