This image shows a 9th Battery 18 pound field gun in action during a Turkish attack. It was ...

This image shows a 9th Battery 18 pound field gun in action during a Turkish attack. It was reproduced in the Illustrated War News (London), 29 September 1915, p. 26, with the following caption: "With the colonial 'Naked Army' in Gallipoli: Australian gunners stripped for the fray during a fierce artillery duel. This photograph illustrates well a characteristic of the splendid Australian and New Zealand troops, of whom Mr Ashmead-Bartlett wrote: 'I suppose that since the Dervishes made their last charge at Omdurman no such naked army has ever been seen in the field. ... To find an Australian now wearing anything except a pair of 'shorts,' is extremely rare, whether he be in the trenches, in a rest camp, or on fatigue. One by one they have thrown aside their various articles of clothing. ... The 'shorts,' which started a few months ago as full-length trousers, have now arrived half-way up the thigh. In this primitive costume the Australians and New Zealanders live and work and fight. Their huge frames and giant limbs are now burnt by the sun to a dull brick-red.'"

It was also published in the Sydney Mail (17 Nov 1915: 24) with the caption: "Australian Artillery in action. This fine photograph was secured, at considerable personal risk to the man with the camera during a fierce artillery duel on the Gallipoli Peninsula. The gun it will be noted has been skilfully concealed. The men it will be noted have discarded what they regard as superfluous clothing and suspended from the neck of one of them may be seen his identification disc. The work of our artillery has been warmly praised by General Birdwood."

See also A00830 for a copy of this print which was obtained from Lt Col Riggall and A00879 for a copy of this print that was obtained from Keith Murdoch and was inscribed by Lord Norcliffe, owner of the Daily Mail in London.