LATE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 84, 2 January 1918, Page 5

LATE NEWS

DISASTROUS DEFEAT FOR THE TURKS DRIVEN FROM STRONG POSITIONS BY VALOROUS BRITISH TROOPS ALL JUDEA CAPTURED (Rec. January 2, Loo a.m.) London, January 1. Router's correspondent writes: — "When in Jerusalem ten days ago the Holy City was well within the battle zono. The past few days havo seen a marvellous cbango in the situation. Tho Turks havo been driven helter skelter from tho immensely strong positions where they wero firmly established for weoks, and our line has been flung forward and now embraces the furthest limits of tho old Kingdom of Judea, and from a defensive standpoint all the dominating heights and positions aro in our hands. This result has been brought about by tho valour of our men and the strategy of tho chiefs, who, seizing the psychological moment for attack, converted what might have been merely a Turkish check into a disastrous defeat. Tho record of the last few days' fighting has been a groat achievement, and will furnish a page in history of which Britannia might well be proud. ■• "On tho night of December 26 the Turks began an offensive against our ontire right flank. Their forces were strengthened by a division from the Caucasus, and all were keyed to the utmost effort, being told that Jerusalem would be lost for ever if the attack failed. As though tho.appeal to their religious fervour was insufficient, the prospect of abundant food there was dangled before them, coupled with the assurance that very few English were barring the way. Some of the men. were without rations for a couple of days. Doubtless this hope of food stimulated them to the greatest ardour What may have induced the Turkish commander to plan the attack was the severe rainstorms some days previously, which would presumably have interfered with our supplies. "Our defences north of Jerusalem were held by the gallant lads of the County of London, while the Welsh, the Cheshire, and the Home County troope guarded the line towards the east. Northwards the key of the position was the steep hill Telclful, believed to be identical with Gibeah. Benjamin and Esadk aro not in the regu- , lar lino, but a series of posts extending on either side of the Nablus Road. The first fighting took place shortly before midnight, when one of our small advanced posts retired before tho weight of the enemy advance."—Reuter.