8th December 1915

The Austrian K.u.K. 24cm Motormörser-Batterie M 98 No. 9 arrived at Gallipoli on

the 15th November 1915, & fired its first bombardment on the 25th November - this

artillery unit is the "heavy gun" referred to by Major Hughes below.

[Courtesy of Gallipoli Association]

Wednesday 8th Dec

To-day the Canteen Committee fixed Prices of items & a list was issued & orders received from the different units. I opened a few cases to check etc

[Courtesy of State Library of New South Wales - William Sparkes diary]

8

(Captain Alan Percy Crisp, temporary O/C 7^th Battery)

0530 In pursuance of a request from 2^nd L.H. Bgde N° 2 Gun opened fire on BIRD TRENCHES Square 68-L-6 firing 13 rounds of H.E. + succeeded in knocking down portion of the parapets.  One round was a premature.  Three men reported for duty with the Battery + were taken on the strength.

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 7th Battery]

8.12.15
(Major Francis Augustus Hughes, temporary O/C 3rd Field Artillery Brigade)

work continues on GUN RIDGE Square 68-W-2-5 and 68-R-1-3 working parties in this vicinity were fired on by 8th Bty at 0840, 1030, 1105 and 1450.

1150 Enemy guns at Square 47-M and OLIVE GROVE fired on Monitors who were firing at the time at other targets.  8th, and 9th Btys fired on OLIVE GROVE.

1420 Enemy gun from direction ANDERSONS KNOLL fired on our Right Flank Trenches.

1430 OLIVE GROVE fired a few rounds on beach.

1515 Enemy gun from Square 68-S-3 (Probably the 68-W-1 Gun moved) fired on our right.  Replied to by 8th Bty.

1630 Enemy heavy gun firing from direction of BOGHALI fired several rounds, falling between LONE PINE and beach.  9th Bty fired on GABA TEPE Observation Stations to upset observation, this is probably the same gun which fire on LONE PINE on 29th November and may be an Austrian Howitzer referred to in recent Divisional Intelligence Report.

1655 OLIVE GROVE fired on beach.  The firing on beach from these guns has diminished somewhat. 

[Courtesy of Australian War Memorial - Official unit war diary, 3rd Field Artillery Brigade]