A GREAT DAY IN PALESTINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 36, 6 November 1917, Page 5

A GREAT DAY IN PALESTINE

THE VICTORY AT BEERSHEBA

A STIRRING DISPATCH

ENEMY COMPLETELY

SURPRISED

(Rec. November 5, 11.3.5 p.m.)

London, November 5. Mr. W. T. Massey, in a stirring dispatch, describes General Allenby's surprise blow whicli smashed the eastern end of the Turkish lino and wrested Beereheba from tho enemy. "There was stern fighting all day, in which tho New Zealand and Australian mounted men and Hie British infantry displayed great endurance and courage, doing everything as planned, so that tho Staff scheme seemed to go like clockwork. The story of tho dny will add to tho glory of tho lads from the English cities and shires, and Australia's and New Zealand's splendid horsemen. The British infantry after long night marches attacked with such determination that thoy tore down tho entanglements with (heir hands. Then, us (ho moon rose over tho Judea hills, the Australian Horse dashed at the strongly held trenches and captured the town. In the Beginning. "At dawn on October 31 the Australians and New Zealanders were south of Beersbeba. The British infantry were facing the northern, western, and south- j western defences, which were out of j rnnjre, hiding Becrsheba from "iew. The Turkish entrenchments were elaborate, skilfully chosen, ami heavily protected by wire, while the enemy's guns covered all tho approaches. Prisoners declare | that they believed that Beersheba was impregnable. General Allenby's astonishing sneeew in concealing his march across tho desert was thn outstanding reason for the success of tho movement. It commenced wilh a cavalry fight on October 27, when throe thousand Turks, with twelve guns, attacked tlio British cavalry screen, which was occupying the high ground near the Jenisalem-Beer-sheba railway. The British squadron held out throughout the day. Both flanks were enveloped, but though surrounded, on three sides they Vat two determined cavalry charges. Wlwn the British infantry arrived they were able lo occupy tho ground without fighting. The Battle Develops. "The British infantry marched at night, being hidden in the daytime in wady leds. On tho night of October 3031 tho Australians and New Zcalandere mado a wido rapid 6weep to the southwest, in order <o rush at dawn and get nstride the Hebron road to prevent a Turkish retirement. The 'nfantry attncked Hill 1070, and succeeded by an irresistible rush, within half an hour breaking through a German machine-gun section, and occupying the hill. The infantry then pressed on to tho Wady Sara trenches, making rushes across the open, unheeding the enfilading (runs and spasmodic machine-gun fire. Tho bombers dashed in wherever our artillery broke tho rire. Elsewhero tho British tore the wire fnra tho iron supports with their hands. It was grand work, the English countrymen showing inspiring courage and resource. Though fighting for twelve hours they captured one defence after another, until all tho Beersheba. stronghold was captured by 9.30. Many of the Australians and Now Zealanders. rode thirty iri es before getting into action Their workj*w as meritorious as thatof the British rhey first captured Snknty, a high lull e>* miles north-east of Beersheba dominating a wido district. "With their usual elan these Wg Australians stopped at nothing. They had rounded i,n every Turk on Sakaty Hill by • ono o olock in tho afternoon, and then «ipt««f the Hebron road. Even more ™s the taking of Tol-01-Saba, a Mbill three miles east of Beersheba. which had been converted into a redoubt of great strength and made almost unapproachable by tho steep.banks of a wady running alongside. But the New gnlanta" carried it by 3.30 o'clock, and then turned thoir attontion to n group of houses between the hill and Hebron road held by the German machine-gunners.

Tho Full Weight of the Colonials. "This felt the full weight of the colonial arm. It -was getting dark, and thero was anxiety about water for the horses. The Australians formed up against the eastern trenches with fixed bayonets, md charging line after line went for the enenfv. Before tho last wave reached the trenches the German machine-gunnm "ere silent, telling a tale of the enemy dead. Dismounting at the first-line trenches, the Anzncs went on foot, overalmost intact. October 31 was a great day for the Palestine army. The staff 2k and the admirable °* * e troops was never higher. -Aus.-JM. Cable Assn.

THE RESETS REVIEWED

(R-ec. November 5, 7.25 p.m.)

London. November 4.

A report from British Headquarters in Palestine states: "Our advance yesterdav rooming amounted to a depth ol ei'-ht hundred yards on Tjmbrolla Hill, on the Tight, to two thousand yards at Sheiks Hassan on tho seashore west of Gaza. The Scottish and East Anglian troops shared tho honours of tho nentinj? Four counter-attacks wero repulsed with heavy oimmy losses, and all our pains were maintained and positions consolidated. On our right flank the infanfrv dislodged the enomy from Abukir Goig station, eight miles north-west of Beorshoba, where there is an. abundant water supply. Tho enemy s repeat was so procipitate. that ho had no time to destroy his now pumping plant. These operation's depended to an important dcgreo on the water supply, licnne .the value of our successes. Cavalry brushes occurred in tho hilly country soma miles north of Beersheba. the Turks being driven in the direction of Dhaherwefl. Their communications in tho rear sutfered hcavilv from the fire of our ertillorv, which "blew up tlireo ammunition dumps and damaged the railway. - Aus.-N.Z- Cable Assn.-Rcuter.

TOLL OF BOOTY AND PRISONERS.

London, November fc \n official report from Egypt states:"Tho captures afc Bcershcba include fifteen guns. Wo took f P™*! * clmlinß 26 ouiccrs."-Aus.-N./j. Cable Assn.-Router. A TURKISH REPORT.

London, November i. Tho Press Bureau reports: "A Turkish communique states: There is intense a?tilery activity at Gaza. Our batteries effectively replied. Enemy erasers «» bombanlinß tho ooast."-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesu.-Router.