RAPID ADVANCE ON THE TIGRIS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3007, 19 February 1917, Page 5

RAPID ADVANCE ON THE TIGRIS

SERIES OF DECISIVE BLOWS BY THE BRITISH TURKS'RETIRING (Ecc. February 19, 0.20 a.m.) ■ ■ . London, February 18. An official message from Mesopotamia states: "AVe took the offensive on Thursday on the right centre of the Dabia bend, on tho right bank of the Tigris, and secured our objective on 700 yards of front. We extended our gains by bombing to a depth of 500 yards on one thousand yards of front, and easily repulsed a counter-attack. Wo assaulted later on tho left centre, and secured our objective on a front of 850 yards. During the night we cleared out the enemy from small areas, 6ecuring the whole of the Dahra bend. We took prisoner 89 officers, of whom two were regimental and three battalion commanders, and 1906 men. Tho booty includes five machine-guns, 250 rifles, and large quantities of ammunition and stores. Wo advanced on Friday 1200 yards southwards of the Shumran loop,aiid now hold the south-west corner of ths bend." Two Turkish communiques admit a retirement on the Tigris following the British attacks.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Retiter.