THE CAMPAIGN IN PALESTINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 78, 26 December 1917, Page 5

THE CAMPAIGN IN PALESTINE

TROOPS MAKE FURTHER PROGRESS CAPTURES OF MUNITIONS AND STORES. London, December 23. A Palestine official -report states:— "Our troops crossed the Nahr-el-Auja »t midnight on rafts and light; bridges, air] seized Khurbethadrah, Sheik Muannis, and Telerriekkeit Elmanhnvs, rear the river mouth. Other forces captured llase-el-Zamby, north-cast of Bethany, beating off three counterattacks. Our captures since the commencement of tho operations include 99 guns and howitzers, 400 limbers and wagons, 110 ma-cliine-guns, 7000 rifles, and a largo tpipntity of ammunition and stoies.— Aiis-.-N.Z. Cable Assu.-Reuter. • [The Nahr-el-Auja is a email river which flows in a south-westerly direction into tho sea about four miles north of Jaffa. Bethany is ebout a mils and a half east of Jerusalem.] - NORTHWARD AMANCE CONTINUED RETREATING TURKS BOMBED. (Rec. December 25, 5.5 p.m.) London, December 24. Palestine official:—-"Our troops on tlia extreme left, with naval ue- operation, on Saturday continued 11-o advance northward of the Nahr-el-Auja, reaching a line from t Sheik-el-Baimtah ti E! Jelil, four miles northward , of the river. They occupied ?ejja and Mulebbis, southward of the liver, and also Rahtieh, Khelbeida, and Khelbiieh. Two and a half tone <f >.ombs were dropped on the' retreating enemy. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.

THE FIGHTING AROUND BETHLEHEM DIRECT ATTACK ON THE VILLAGE AVOIDED. London, December 23. Mr. Massey writes:—"Owing to the vigorous progress of the Welsh and Home County troops, a direct attack on Bethlehem has proved unnecessary. Tho \Velshmen are particularly proud of their part in the historic victories. In order to advance from -Ihupilfeh to tho Hebron Road they had to make a road through the mountains.. It was typical rearguard fighting, the country enabling the cavalry io delay die enemy's progress! Somo cavalry was seen, but the march was rapid. "The British occupied, a strong lino at tho southern end of tho Kas-es-Sfierifeh without opposition, thus securing the highest pints in Southern Palestine. Sherifeh had an elaborate system of defences, with traverses and breastworks. The road boyoud took a bend to the west, exposing its defences to the southward of Bethlehem. It became necessary to secure the hillseast of the road before advancing. It waj a. desperately bad bit of covntry, nnd it was impossible to get r.iiles up. The Cheshires climbed one irountain without greatcoats, blankets, or ra-< tions. , It rained heavily in the night, and the cold was intense. Next day;when .it was relieved, tho battalion marched whistling and happy, hut almost frozen.

"The troops at Sherifeh, under cover of a fog, wandered to Solomon's Pool, within rifle range of the enemy's trenches. The commander decided that it was best to make for'Jala, iwo miles t> the north, to avoid fighting around the hallowed spots of Bettilehnm. The London Yeomanry occupied > Jala, and experienced* another bad night. Daybreak rovealed that the enemy had abandoned Bethlehem, and an advance to Jerusalem began ■ immediately."— Atis -N.Z. Cable Assn.