BRITISH ON OUTSKIRTS OF JERICHO.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 46, 22 February 1918, Page 5

BRITISH ON OUTSKIRTS OF JERICHO.

RAPID PROGRESS MADE IN DIFFICULT COUNTRY.

DEPTH OF A DOZEN MILES PENETRATED.

[(■Received 11.15 ajn.) LONDON, February 21. The British are now on tho outskjrtw of Jericho.—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.) A Palestine official message says: —Our advance eastward of Jerusalem was resumed yesterday. Despite heaary rainstorms and difficult country and the enemy's obstinate resistance, we made progress on a three and a-half miles front by a depth of eight miles to within four miles of Jericho. Simultaneously we advanced a mile on a front of four miles westward of the Jerusalem-Nablus road. The air service co-operated and bombed camps and depots ten and a-half miles east-north-east of Jericho. Our losses on Tuesday were very slight, while yesterday's have not yet been reported. The operations continue.—(A. and N.Z. and Reuter.)

TWO-MILE ADVANCE ON FIFTEEN-MILE FRONT.

LONDON, February 21. A Palestine official report states: —We have advanced two miles, fighting on a 15-mile front, east of Jerusalem. —(High Commissioner's Cable.) A high military authority states that operations in Palestine have hitherto been delayed by the rainy season, roaring torrents preventing railway construction. Sir Edmund Allenby yesterday commenced an advance on Jericho. He has before him a steady descent into the valley of the Jordaa. The situation is promising of development.— (A. and K.Z. Cable.)