FALL OF GAZA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 39, 9 November 1917, Page 5

FALL OF GAZA

ENEMY'S FLANK TURNED

GENERAL ALLENBY'S LIGHTNING STROKES OUTWIT THE TURKS

BIG HAUL OP PRISONERS

AND BOOTY •■

London, November 7. An official report from Egypt states: "General Allenby captured . Khuweilfcs, eleven miles north of Boersheba, at midnight on Monday, and repulsed repeated counter-attacks during Tuesday. Our troops, further south, advancing to tho north-vest from the neighbourhood of Beersheba, carried the whole Turkish defences south of a lino from Tel-esh-Shoria to Abu Hareira. They captured the lastnamed place, and have thus advanced nino miles. The troops displayed magnificent dash and endurance. An estimate of the captures is not yet available. Six guns were seized on one portion of tho front." A later tolejrram announces that Gaza I was captured this morning, but gives no details.-Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

ENEMY IN FULL RETREAT

London, November 7. Keuter's correspondent at Headquarters in Palestine, writing on November (i, states: "Gaza is ours. . The enemy is in full retreat all along the line, and large quantities of war material have been captured. It is believed that the bag of prisoners is big. The Turks began to weaken last night, after successful operations at various points by our combined forces. They destroyed some ammunition dumps before retiring, but the booty is great. Tho victory was due largely to tho strategy of Goneral Allenby ,* who outflanked) the enemy on tho right, thus annulling all their advantages of position. Wo are now, busily pursuing them, and the lines of retreat are being heavily shelled by tho warships." From later advices, Router learns that General Allenby has made an important further advance. Attacking from\ the Beersheba positions towards" the sea, ho captured tho next lino of defenco, and advanced nino miles.—Reuter. A LATE DISPATCH. NEW ZEALANDEItS MENTIONED. (Rec. November 8, 7.30 p.m.) London, Novombor 7. Router's correspondent at Headquarters, Palestine, telegraphs to-day: "Wo attacked at dawn the enomy'6 positions north aud south-west of Beersheba, and captured all our objectives. To-day's offensive extended over twenty miles of front. Thanks to the capture of Beersheba we were able to outflank tho main Turkish line, which extended originally from Gaza to Beersheba, and consisted of four olaborately-organised systems with ■connecting trenches and scattered redoubts. General Allenby's plans entailed tremendous physical strain, on all Tanks, but their exceptional fitness has boon proof to every call. The British troops openod tho fighting on the right flank, after marching tho greater part of the night. They rushod tho Knwolfoh Ridge, ten miles north-east of Beer6hoba, practically annihilating a' Turkish battalion, and capturing numerous.prisonera and two guns. The Turks vigorously counter-attacked, but were beaten back. While many reserves were thus being swung to the left, tho dismounted Yeomanry attacked the trenches covering the station and bridge of Sheria. By ono o'clock wo were masters of tho whole lino on this sector, and before ovening had advanced over the intervening three miles and occupied Sheria, capturing four guns. "On the left flank other British troops attacked the Kawukah defence system. One of the main features of this lino was a veritable labyrinth of trenches, which speedily succumbed to our dashing assault. Both cavalry nnd Camel Corps played their part in the attack. The Yeomanry and Anzacs in some cases covered over fifty miles, and had been for forty hours without water. Tho weather sinco tho start of tho operations has been most unfavourable, an exceptional heat wave greatly increasing the strain on both men and animals. Tho water supply was below requirements. Yesterday afternoon tho New Zealnnd Mounted Rifles had a sharp brush with tho enemy, who attempted an attack with fixed bayonets. But the attack was nipped in tho bud by ma-chine-gun fire, tho enemy sustaining 300 casualties."—Renter.