THE DRIVE ON THE TIGRIS

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 46, 22 February 1917, Page 7

THE DRIVE ON THE TIGRIS

TURKS SURRENDER EN MASSE

RUN THE GAUNTLET OF THEIR OWN GUNS

(published in the times.) (Received February 22, 8.30 a.m.)

LONDON, 21st February. Mr. Candler (British war correspondent in Mesopotamia) says : Our attack in the Dahra Loop was followed by a big. northward drive, which pushed back the Turks to the. last of the Tigris strongholds. The resistance was of the slightest, the Turks surrendering to the advancing infantry waves en masse, the whole line waving white rags. The gunners attempted to prevent titis by shooting down those surrendering, but the prisoners informed the British : "You have too many guns. We don't wish to counter-attack." There were similar scenes during the second attack by the right flank in the afternoon, the Turks throwing away their rifles and leaving the trenches as the infantry advanced. The prisoners almost outnumbered our men. They doubled past the attackers, running the gauntlet of their own guns, flapping white rags till they reached the British trenches, where they surrendered, laughing, and making cheerful gestures, some dancing.