FIGHTING IN MESOPOTAMIA

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2636, 6 December 1915, Page 5

FIGHTING IN MESOPOTAMIA

BATTLE OF OTESIPHON BRITISH TROOPS SUSTAIN HEAVY LOSSES By Teleemuli—Prese Association—CopyTishl High Commissioner's report:— London, December 4, 10 p m "In Mesopotamia General Townshend ia m possession of the battlefield at Otesiphon, beating off counter-attaclig till the removal of the wounded and IGOO prisoners. In view of our heavy Josses and tlie arrival of Turkish reinforcements, he then withdrew. Our total casualties were 4567. "On Tuesday night General Townshend fought a rearguard action against greatly superior Turkisli forces. Uur casualties arc estimated at 150.-' ° "Two of our river boats were disabled! and abandoned, the guns and engines being first rendered useless. "General Townshend remarks on the steadiness of the troops, and is now within a few miles of Kutelamnra, whither ho is retiring," TURKISH VERSION OF THE FIGHTING.. (Roc. December 5, 5.5 p.m.) , ~, ~ , , . London, December 4. A Turkish qoHiMMiiaue dated Oeennibei' g Has ten wlosmwl for hiibliev fciou. It saxs tliQ ta'oofts. pa tae Irak uout are fiQuduofcrng a .vigorous jmriuit in

order to complete the English defeat. It has been ascertained that the enemy rronx November 23 to 26 lost over five thousand and sent about 2100 wounded away by steamer in one day. The enemy tried to arrest his retreat with a rearguard tinder the protection of monitors fifteen kilometres south-west of Azizio ; but on the night of November 30 a surprise attack forced liim to withdraw in the direction of Kutolamara. We captured a. hundred camels, provisions, ammunition, various war material, and three small vessels. Another Turkish communique dated December 4 says:—On the liak front the enemy s attempts to evade our pursuit by seeking the protection of gunboats has always failed owing to our energetic attacks. We captured several hundred prisoners, two transport vessels laden with provisions, two gunboats, named Ivamed and Firkills, and much war material. Our fcrce6 dispatched to Kuteiamara are attacking the retreating enemy, inflicting severe losses. Ihe 1 urkish communique mentions the capture of four aeroplanes at Azizie, three of which have beea repaired, and are being utilised against the enemy. RUSSIANS ARE APPROACHING BITLIS.(Rec. December 5, 11.80 p.m.)' , , Petrograd. December 5. A Russian communique says: "We pursued; the retreating Turks in the Varkumis region, and have approached Bitlis." ' " *