IN MESOPOTAMIA.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15487, 14 January 1916, Page 8

IN MESOPOTAMIA.

THE v RELIEF COLUMNS. DIFFICULTIES OF THE ADVANCE. DESPERATE FIGHTING. (By; Cible.—Press Association.—Copyright.) January 12. Mr Candlier, the representative of th'e British Press with the Expeditionary; Force in Mesopotamia, states that General Aylmer's advance up the Tigris to join" General Townshend met a stubborn resistance. The heaviest fighting took place' at Sheiesand. Proceeding up the banks of the Tigris our cavalry established contact with the Turkish advanced troops on the right bank. The Turks, who were "in considerable strength, were astride the river. Our cavalry got behind the trenches on the enemy's extreme right flank and defeated a whole battalion: The British casualties . among the infantry were heavy, as our force came under heavy rifle 1 and machine-gun fire from the Turkish trenches at a distance of 1200 yards. The flatness and the uniform mud-colour of the Ground, and the haze added to the invisibility of the Turkish Frenches, which were' remarkably well concealed. Turkish cavalry attempted to envelop our right'flank,, but the artillery turned their guns on to them. Their infantry was, however, too strong to be dislodged, so we entrenched at night in positions from 200 to 700 yards from the enemy. Nothing could exceed the gallantly of our attack. Officers of wide experience say that there has never been a hotter rifle lire at the same range during the whole of the French campaign. Many of our casualties were only slight wounds, which were most]v due to-rifle-fire. The latest reports show that our force is still advancing. 0 9 GERMAN ARTILLERY. REINFORCING THE TURKS. ROME, January 12. The "Tribuna" states that enormous quantities of . German artillery are travelling from Constantinople towards J-lesopotamia,