THE GREAT TURKISH DEFEAT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 85, 3 January 1918, Page 5

THE GREAT TURKISH DEFEAT

BRITISH HOLD IMMENSELY STRONG LINE . ENEMY LOSSES EXTRAORDINARILY HEAVY By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. London, January 1. Reuter's correspondent continuing his account of the battle which began ■with the Turkish attack on December 26 writes: "It soon became evident that a serious push was contemplated. The first attaok was delivered at 1.20 in the morning, but it broke before reaching our positions. Then in quick succession the enemy delivered attack upon attack. Men who foil back were reinforced and driven forward in always increasing numbers. One small post on our loft, held by a couple "if companies, was attacked by four separate lines, and 500 of the enemy delivered the,final assault; but although they got close, our men stood like rocks, and did: not yield a foot. Each wavo was compelled to fall back, leaving a toll of dead round about Tol el Ful. Eight attacks followed upon one another, and the line swayed backwards <md forwards. A furious assault before dawn followed a lull in the storm, which so far had failed to make the slightest impression. The soldiers knew that the fate of Jorusalem upon their tenacity, and nothing could be finer than their tense and £rim steadfastness. Tho Turks' Last Desperate Effort. "The Turks employed the morning hours in organising one last desperate effort, which was delivered at 1 o'clock, but without any happier result for them. .All tho enemy's offensive, which was supported by strong artillery fire upon and to the rear of our positions, failed to yield him the smallest success, and battered and broken he was forced to withdraw. His attacks east of Jerusalem were carried out with not less determination, although with smaller forces. The principal bone of contention here was a ridge between two hills, which finally was so hotly shelled as to bo untenable by either side; hut tho Welsh troops definitely established themselves after dusk. The fighting lasted without intermission all day. The Turks paid a heavy price for their attempt to oust theso men, 260 dead being counted before the positions. The nature of ihe ground did not permit of much uso of the bayonet, but there was a lively exchange of grenades. One detached post oast of Bethlehem was completely (surrounded, and held out until relieved en the following morning. The counter-Stroke. "While the Turks were making furious, if ineffective, assaults north-east of Jerusalem, our High Command decided that the moment had come for a counter-stroke. Consequently tho Irish troops and dismounted Yeomanry advanced against the Turks' communications and positions dominating the Nablus road. The country through which they had to advance was the most impossililo conceivable. Some hills were so precipitous that guns dangled in the air while they were being haulod into position, mid men had to climh on ono another's slioulders. The Yeomanry advanced upon Attire, forestalled the attacks which the enemy was organising, and got among the Turks with tho hayo.net, accounting for a hundred killed on the spot, and three ma-chine-guns were captured. By nightfall on December 27-these troops had advanced two and' a half miles on a front of nine m'les—in view of the torrain a remarkable feat. The advance was continued next day, position after position falling with the slightest opposition, so completely were tho Turks caught, thanks to their ill-judged offensive."

Turkish Moral o Shattered. Reverting io the situation in front of the Londoners, the correspondent says: "The enemy's assault having failed, and finding his rear threatened, he began to withdraw northward. The Londoners immediately pressed forward, and easily brushed aside the Turkish rearguards. It "was evident that his morale was badly shattered, as he tied from Er Ram, a strong position oil the site of Raman Benjamin, and soon shells began to drop in his rear. On December 29 the dismounted men captured Rahniallah, and the Londoners took Birch, while the Welsh forward and linked up with the Londoners east of Er Ram. On the previous day the Welsh and Hereford regiments captured the main Turkish position east of Jerusalem, commanding al! the valleys between Jerusalem, tho Jordan, and the Dead Sea. There was a stiff fight, and. the first attempt was held up by enfilade fire along a rids® they had to cross, but the position was rushed with the bayonet after dusk, tlie Turks, as usual, not waiting for the cold steel. Extraordinarily Heavy Turkish Losses. "With the linking up of the troops north-east of Jerusalem, we hold an immensely strong line for its defence. To-day we occupied Beiten, the ancient Bethel. The Turkish losses during the three days' operations' were extraordinarily heavy. We counted over 700 dead before one position, and tho Turks must have carried off a considerable number, as is their invariable practice. We captured 600 prisoners, including 40 officers. The estimate of a total Turkish loss of 5000 is a low one.Reutor. THE OFFICIAL REPORT ... London, January 1. An official report from Palestine Headquarters states: "We further advanced our line north of Jorusalem between December 27 and 29, taking prisoner 750 of the enemy. .The Turkish dead totalled 1006."—Ans.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Router.