FALL OF BAGDAD MOMENTARILY EXPECTED

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3025, 12 March 1917, Page 5

FALL OF BAGDAD MOMENTARILY EXPECTED

TURKS NOT IN A CONDITION TO FIGHT BELIEVED BRITISH CAVALRY ARE ALREADY IN THE TOWN . By Teleßraph-PreßS "Aesociation-CopyriEht • (Rec. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) ' London, March 10. The announcement of the fall of Bagdad is expected momentarily. It is believed the cavalry occupied the place without opposition, and are now sweeping northward of the city. The "Daily Chronicle" says: "It is evident the Turks in Mesopotamia are not in a condition to fight, and probably have lost at least two divisions and possibly an army corps. The great thing is that the Turkish army no longer exists as a fighting force. It is understood tho country around Bagdad between the Tigris and Euphrates can be inundated, especially how because of the rainy season. It is hoped that our cavalry will be able to prevent the opening of the barrages. Tho importance of the capture of Bagdad would be immense" apart from political reasons, because it serves as-a base of operations against the Russians in tho Kermanshah theatre. It is problematical if the Turks can extricate themselves when Bagdad is taken; anyhow thoy_ must evacuate Persia. Another great advantage is that it will afford the British freedom to move. Hitherto wo have been restricted to the so-called corridor in Mesopotamia. A restricted fighting front is a. great impediment, but tho corridor ceases above Bagdad, where we can expect open fighting, for which the Turks have not shown any talont, despite their dogged tenacity in defensive warfare."--Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A THRILL OF EXPECTATION CAUSED BY THE RAPID ADVANCE. (Rec. March 10, 6.55 p.m.) „ , , ' London, March 9. Tho rapid advance on Bagdad lias caused a thrill of expectation. Whether the Turks have constructed defences at Diala on the river requiring the cavalry to halt until the infantry arrive is not yet known. The present information indicates that tho Turks arc hopelessly outnumbered and outmanoeuvred. . Paris is dxcitcd. M. Hutin believes that Bagdad ha 3 already been captured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. TURKISH RESISTANCE IN ASIA MINOR SHATTERED. (Rec. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 10. Tho "Daily Telegraph's" correspondent states that the information at the Russian Embassy is that the Turkish resistance has been shattered, even in Armenia. On the Persian fronts the Russian armies are marching victoriously upon objectives in complete accord with Britain. Turkey now realises her mistake in sending tho best troops to Europe, whore thoy have been so deoimated as to bo able no longer to render effective sorvice even in Europe.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asn. RUSSIAN TROOPS ADVANCING WITH GREAT ENERGY (Rec. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, March' 10. The "Daily Chronicle's" Petrograd correspondent states that General Barrakoff's troops aro advancing with great. energy in order to co-operate with the British advance on tho Tigris. They aro likely early to recapture the positions abandoned in 1916. Tho conditions this year are _ wholly different: tho advance is well organised and well supported. The Russians are much bettor acquainted with the country and mountain warfare amidst nomadic tribes. Hamadan was captured after three days' hard fighting. Tho Turks tried to stand at the Asadabad Pass and then at Kangawar, but are now retreating rapidly to Keroashan. —Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. OFFICIAL REPORT FROM MESOPOTAMIA (Rec. March 11, 11.5 p.m.) London, March JJ. .Mesopotamia official:—Our gunboats and cavalry discovered on Wednesday the enemy holding a line on tho Diali River in some strength. Wo engaged the enemy on Thursday. The enemy's Ctesiphon position had been most carefully prepared, and it is clear that the enemy intended to hold it. Its evacuation was probably due to our rapid advance from Azizto.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter. SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONS OF THE RUSSIANS. (Rec. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) Lond&n, March 10. A wireless Russian official message says: Wo aro in possession of positions ~, in the town of Sinna, in the direotion of Bidjar.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-J Reutor. '" (Rec. March 10, 6.15 p.m.) London, March !). A wireless Russian official message says: We destroyed tho fortifications at Mirzonilkeino, north-westward of Erzingan.. Our scouts have advanced sixteen and a half miles south-west of Sakkiz. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. . RUSSIANS SINK 'A LARGE STEAMER. (Rec. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 10, A wireless Ruffian aHJci.il message states: Wc submarined a. largr steamer in the neighbourhood of l.lie Bc-ir.plioriis.—Aus.-N.Z. Cabin Assn.Rouier.

BRILLIANTLY SUCCESSFUL FRENCH ATTACK IN CHAMPAGNE SECTOR POSITIONS LOST IN MID-FEBRUARY RECAPTURED Cllcc. March 10, 6.1.5 p.m.) London, March I). A French com mil niq no says: Our nUack yesterday between Butto do Mcsrjil and Maison de Champagne was brilliantly successful, despite snowstorms rendering marching difficult. Wo carried the enemy positions on a, front of 1600 metres (1650 yards), to a depth varying Irani '(>UU (650 yards) to 800 (half a mile) motros. A violent German counter-attack on the left sector in tho evening was repulsed with grenades, after an obstinate struggle., with serious enemy lossos. Two enemy attempts on our trench at Avocourt Wood failed under pur .fire. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router. (Rec. March 1.1, 5.0 p.m.) London, March 10. Accounts of the French success intho Champagno show that the French equanimity over tho German capture in mid-February was fully justified. All the weather conditions on Thursday wero unfavourable. Several inches of snow lay on the ground, and tho aeroplanes were useless in tho fog, yet tho attacik progressed exactly according to programme —tho usual methodical bombardment, then a steady advance, of infantry closo behind the advancing barrage. True, sonio lost ground was not recovered, but that was not wanted. The infantry was asked to retake, certain trenches and important posts, and took them all.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OBSTINATE ALL NIGHT FIGHTING IN THE CHAMPAGNE. (Rcc. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) .. London, March 10. A French communique says: In tho Champagno there was all night obstinate lighting between Butts do Mesnil and Maison de Champagne. Tho Germans mado several attempts to recapture the trenches we took in tho west of that sector, but after alternate advances and retirements wo finally beat back the enemy and mado some progress. _On the right of the sector our fire smashed the Gorman attacks. Wo maintained all our positions on tho right hank of tho Mouse. The Germans again attacked the trenches retaken by us north of Caurieres Wood. Our immediate counter-attacks drove, out tho onomy. We carried out several coups de main *mth of tho Avre, notably at Armancourt, where our detachments penotrated tho third German trench — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. FRESH TRENCHES CAPTURED BY THE FRENCH (Rcc. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) iv,-.., , , ~,. London, March 1(1 A l'rcnch official message states: We entered and wrecked enemy trenches at several points south of Royo. The enemy thrice furiously counter attacked! the positions wo captured yesterday, m the sector of Maison de Champagne, but our curtain of Maxim tiro _e.verywh.ere shattered his efforts, the enemy, who was obliged to retire leaving numerous dead. ° ' We captured fresh trenches north, of Butto de Mesnil and thp Maison de Champagne road.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. GERMAN OFFICIAL REPORTS OF THE FIGHTING (Rec. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) *• • i n «: • i . , , r London, March 10. /A. wireless German official message states: We repulsed French attacks near Laucourt, southward of Crape au Mesnil. The Russians, led by French officers, penetrated our lines on both sides of Prosnes. Our counter-attack ejected them. The positions westward of Maison <fe Champagne .several times'changed hands, resulting in no important change in the situation. Our detachments forced their way into the Oattriercs Wood. The remainder of the garrison fled.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Ronter. (Rec. March 10, 6.15 p.m.) London, March 9. A wireless German official message states: We entered tho English position westward of Wytschaete. /The French attacked southward of R.ipont and penotrated! our trenches on Height 185, also Maison de Champ agne. Our counter-attack regained tbe trench dominating tho height. The farm remains in French hands.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. BRITISH CONTINUE TO DRIVE IN THE GERMAN FLANKS Paris, March 9. A semi-official message states: Though ihe situation on the Ancre is momentarily stationary, the British continue to drive in tho German flanks on both sides of the river. The artillery activity at Verdun continues, and is concentrated on the left bank of the Meuse, whore the French are ceaselessly battering tho German works. —Reuter. VILLAGE IRLES AND PRISONERS CAPTURED BY THE BRITISH The High Commissioner reports:— London, March 10, 10.35 p.m. A British official message states:—Tho village of Irles and tho neighbouring defences have been captured and a considerable number of prisoners taken. This represents an advance exceeding a three-mile frontage. FIVE ENEMY RAIDS IN THE YPRES SECTOR REPULSED. (Reo. March 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports: Last night the enemy launched five raids on our trenches northwards of Wulvergheiu, and reattacked with four parties tbis morning. Only one party in each case reached our trenches. The enemy left some prisoners. We raided the enemy's first line southward of Biaches, damaged dugouts, and! inflicted many casualties. —Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.-Reuter. CURTAIN WILL SOON ASCEND FOR THE TREMENDOUS DRAMA (Rec. March 10, 6.55 p.m.) London, March 9. Renter's French Headquarters' correspondent says the signs of spring aro everywhere. Soon the curtain will ascend on the tremendous drama. According to German-American correspondents remaining in Berlin the Germans are depending on a long spell of bad weather preventing operations before April. The correspondents also make great play of intensified "frightfulness," including terriffio mortars throwing bombs eighteen inches in girth, besides larger and more systematised use of poison gas and liquid fire, not to speak of the immense increase of machine-guns, automatic rifles, and grenade nfles. Where formerly the barbed l wire defences wore five yards deep, they are now a hundred. The retirement of tho enemy continues slower, but appearances may bo deceitful; anyhow, the British higher command accurately knows what tho Germans aro doing, and aTe making plans accordingly.—-Renter. INTERCESSORY, PRAYERS ON EVE OF MILITARY EVENTS. Paris, March D. The Archbishop of Cologne, a faithful friend of tho Kaiser, has issued a pastoral, ordering March 18 to be devoted to prayer, because it will be tho [ eve of military events whictTwill decide 'tho future, of the Fatherland.— I Router. , —> ■■