Consequences Of The Nek Poem by jerry hughes

Inspired by Alan Attwood's essay 'Into a Dazzling Flame'
on the Dardanells campaign, August 7,1915.

The 3rd Australian LIght Horse Brigade
(horsemen without horses) , attacked the ridge.
Support from the New Zealanders
on a captured Chunuck Bair was not forthcoming.

The barrage finished early leaving them exposed.
The first wave charged,
and the Turkish gunners mowed them down.
A second was slaughtered two minutes on.

An officer called a halt but he was overruled,
so a third wave was massacred,
and in the confusion a fourth
met the same fate as the rest.

Like moths into a dazzling flame
they charged the Nek and died.
Victims of incompetent Generals
who gave orders that belied.