THE OFFENSIVE IN PALESTINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 42, 13 November 1917, Page 5

THE OFFENSIVE IN PALESTINE

DOGGED HARD GOING

SPLENDID ACHIEVEMENTS BY THE TROOPS

London, November 11. Mr. W. T. Massey states:—"On Thursday a division in a central position was holding tho Atawinch section southeast of Gaza, though it was deprived of support on its right and left. It held trenches and redoubts, but was heavily shelled. We had begun on. Wednesday to get round both flanks, and tho Anzac Mounteds tried to movo across tho rc-ar. Apparently the quomy had determined j to removo the bulk of his troops at night, leaving tho trenches lightly held. West Countrymen got theso trenches oarly iu the morning. In tho afternoon we had an indication that the Turks wero rotrcutmg. A big ammunition store was blown up a long way to his rear. Tho Scottish Territorials had made a luglit march of thirteen miles across the sand dunes, anklc-deep' in sand all th 3 way to tho high ground north of tbo Wadi llc3i, to pment the Turks using tlio railway to removo their material. The Scots brought up field-guns and heavy batteries, which was a wonderful feat over such teriblo ground. Tho Turks felt the weight of their metal, and at Lahihanun moved out of the way. "Our i troops to the east are meanwhile overcoming difficult conditions. Irishmen, Londoners, and others mado long marches with spells of hard fighting, and their progress with the dismounted yeomanry displayed their fitness and determination. Their keenness was whetted by tho trials of tho mounteds. The Yeomanry, Australians, and Now Zealanders havo worked magnificently. A of aeroplanes bombed two bodies of lurks numbering 5000, near tho coast between Seneid and Medjel. The fliers also got many men with their machineguns, and bombed columns of transport, railway stations, and aerodromes."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE ADVANCE CONTINUED

BATTLEFIELD OP SIX HUNDRED

SQUARE MILES. (Rec. November 12, 7.45 p.m.)

London, November 11. An official dispatch from Egypt states: —"General Allenby's advance was continued on Saturday by tho left wing in tho neighbourhood of Esdud (ancient Aslulod), where tho enemy's rearguard had occupied a lino along tho northern branch of tho Wadi Sukerier. The.Royal £ ying Corps effectually bombarded the Wndi Surar Junction. Our mounted men on Priday captured five howitzers, eight held guns, and 710 prisoners. As the Battlefield is six hundred square miles in area, a list of Iwoty nt present woulil be incomplete. The Warwickshire and Worcestershire Yeomanry, on Thursday, near Huj, in (he face of a heavy ma-chine-gun and ride fire, charged with the greatest gallantry. A largo body of tho enemy was captured, with twelve guns, tlio Austrian gunners being either killed or wounded."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Reutcr.