THE EASTERN FRONT.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15860, 27 March 1917, Page 7

THE EASTERN FRONT.

CROSSING THE DIALA

THRILLING STORY OF HEROISM. HOW BRITISH SOLDIERS WENT

TO CERTAIN DEATH).

(By Cable —Press Association.—Copyright.) | (Australia.! and N.Z. Cable Aiwociation.) (Received March 26th, 5.5 | LONDON, March 20. Mr Edmund Candler, telegraphing I from Bagdad, gives a vivid narrative of a midnight battle to secure the crossing of the Diala river. j "After the Turks destroyed the bridgOj" he states, "we pushed on along the left bank sending our cavalry and two columns of infantry to work round on the right bank, and enter Bagdad from the west. The ■ column attacking the Diala river had to force a crossing where the element of surprise was eliminated, since the old bridgehead site wa« chosen. "When the first pontoon was lowered over the ramp, the whole of the launching party was shot down in a few seoonds in the bright moonlight. The Turks had concentrated machineguns and rifles in the houses on the opposite bank. The second pontoon reached the middle of the stream, and then the whole of the crew were killed owing to the terrible fusilade. "The third pontoon was almost, across, when it wa® bombed and sank. Then crew after crew pushed off to certain death, the pontoons drifting along the Tigris past jtho British camp wfth their freight of dead. "After the failure to effect a passage at the bridgehead, the order to attempt a second crossing was cancelled, but an attempt was made on the seoond night with equal gallantry. This time a bombardment preceded the attack, and the barrage raised such a dust that it formed a curtain behind which ten boats succeeded in crossing. The pontoon parties were exterminated when the curtain of dust lifted, but a footing had been secured. One pontoon drifted back and a sergeant called for volunteers to gather in the wounded. All twelve volunteers were killed. "Sixty men of the Lancashire Regiment were now established on the opposite shore, and commenced bombarding along the bank, though heavily pressed by the Turks ou both flanks. Fortunately they discovered a break in the river bend, which formed a half-moon on the landward side, and was protected by a neighbouring grove of mulberries and palms. Here the sixty Lancashiremen hold out through the night, all next day. and „the next night, against repeated and determined attacks. The Turks once reached the top of the parapet, but though the garrison was reduced to forty, they drove back the attackers. "The garrison was reduced almost to the last clip of cartridges, and a single bomb when the British crossing was completed. Finally, the cavalry and two infantry columns threatened to cut off the Turks, who hurriedly retreated." RUSSIANS MAKE PROGRESS. (Received March 26th, 5.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 25. A Russian official message states: — "On March 18th, in the direction of Khanikin, we dislodged the Turks near the village of Harin and tho Serim 1 Kerind Pass. "We attacked on March 19th a Turkish position near Miantag." BULGARIAN ATROCITIES. PLAYING THE HUNS' GAME. CORFU, March 25. A correspondent forwards an authoritative statement that investigation of the conditions which existed in the liberated portions of Macedonia during the enemy's occupation is revealing ghastly Bulgarian atrocities. Police powers were placed in the hands of local who proceeded to massacre over a wide area. Mayors, school teachers, and numerous others were killed with bayonets. One was burned alive. The committees blackmailed and plundered all classes. DEVASTATING ROUMANIA. PETROGRAD. March 25. The Germans pillaged and ignited many Roumanian villages and part of

the towns of Kalawasch, Djurdjino, and Orsova. Children were murdered, women outraged, and churches profaned.