FIGHTING IN EGYPT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 70, 23 March 1915, Page 2

FIGHTING IN EGYPT.

AUCKLANDER'S GRAPHIC STORY. TURKS BADLY EQUIPPED. Private R. iE. Tonkin (motor cyclist) 6th Haurakis, writes from Egypt, on February 6:—On January 2lith, we left Zeitun camp with just our active service kits, and, before we left, the colonel said we might be in action within twenty-four hours.' Of course, we were very eager for it when we arrived at Israailia. On arrival, we bivouacked by the station for four nights without any excitement whatever, but on Saturday, we were sent out on the armoured train to El Ferdan, about nine Kiiles distant. Arriving there in the evening, We were set to work digging trenches, working in relays until 10 p.m., and then set a guard in them. The major said we would very likely have an alarm in the night, and, sure enough, /we were awakened at 2 a.m. by hearing volley after volley fired just over the Canal, about 1000 yards in front of us. Of course, we were anxious for a little to come our way, but it turned out to be the Ghurka patrol in touch with the Turkish scouts, and, worse luck, they made no captures or kills. In the morning we -were allowed to lighten our loads, and send them back in the train, but we had to tramp all the way back along the line, all soft sand, so you can imagine how we felt at the end of the journey, hot and very tired, but we took it all in the very best of spirits. We arrived back on a Sunday and waited until Tuesday before anything else occurred to liven us up.

"On the 3rd inst., we had orders to get ready to go out to the Canal, but, our company was not lucky enought to go. However, we were commanded to stand by in case we were needed. AFT the day the Turkish artillery, and our warships and artillery, were having a duel, which could be seen from our camp, especially the shrapnel shells when they exploded about a mile away. is now the base, and fjine Australian and several British Territorials are coming here to camp. We expected to go out the next day, if lucky.

" Last night we were ordered to sleep in our clothes, even in our boots, and all equipment handy, but to our great disappointment we were not called upon. In the morning, about 9 a.m. we were told to get ready at once. We marched out to the Canal, all thinking we were well into it this time, especially when 300 Indian.cavalry, went out-in. front of use with, their, ambulance equipment. When we arrived we were jiivei} ordere to line the trenches, whilst the Indian* made an armed reconnaissance in force. We were preparing for some fun when all the Indians came back, bringing with them 56 prisoners and 82 camels. This made about 1,000 prisoners all told, -counting those captured the day before by the ' Punjabs ' and our ' Nelson ' boys. When we were having tea wo were told to pack up and go straight back to camp—'(an indignant roar from th e crowd) —but we had a delightful walk back in the cool of the evening.

'" On February sth we were told to pack up in readiness as:.the Xiirks were in two columns, one going- south and one north, of the position w fi had occupied the previous day. One of the [Nelson lads \died to-day from ■wounds sustained on'the 3rd inst.; another one. J a sergeant: major in the same- regiment, also badly wounded in the shoulder by shrapnel. A British officer of tHe Indians died also, and there were eieht Indians killed outright; 60 you can imagine what a hot time they "had. Some Turks, got to the Canal, and had a collapsible boat ■half-wav across, but they were all shot down before they could reach th c other side.

"The Turks are very badly equipped in the way of arm*, etc.. and' some of them have hardly any boote. while others were in rags of blankets For overcoats.

" On the 6th inst. two companies were told to oe in readiness to leave with pack-mules and' camels etc.. at 3.30 a.m. They were going out with' some Indian cavalry, to round up the Turks' advance guard. We were notl picked, as it was our turn to eupply'ah'iruards and duties (pur "beastly luck), tut it didn't matter so much, as they were hot required. I obtained permission to go into Cairo to get the old motor cycle repaired. The train in which I travelled was half full of refugees fleeing from the scene of hostilities, and they are a funny crowd, with their swags and baskets with, poultry in them. There will be some hot fighting here when the main body of the Turks arrive. The only ones we have ■fouffht so far are those forced into it by German officers, such as Bedouins and Arabs. " Yesterday there was another sortie, and 200 odd prisoners were brought in, most of them in a pitiable condition, what with wounds, etc. The enemy has had severe losses all along the line, and in on e trench they were mowed down by the dozen with a 'Maxim gun."