ON THE TIGRIS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17095, 18 February 1916, Page 7

ON THE TIGRIS.

regent fighting. SHATT-EL-HAI OPERATIONS. ENEMY MEETING TRANSPORT DIFFICULTIES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, February 16. Mr E. Candler, correspondent with the British forces in Mesopotamia, writing from Basra on February 11, says The camp is a quagmire through tho heavy rains. Arabs report- that a number of the enemy have died from cold and exhaustion. During the .January operations large numbers deserted. The enemy is experiencing great transport difficulties, accentuated bv the interruption m river communication at Kut-el-Amara “Brigadier-General Brooking’s column on February 7, S and 9 punished the Arabs near Nasmyeli, killing 636.” THE TURKISH CLAIMS. LONDON, February 16. ,\ Turkish communique says:—“On the fa>k front successful attacks were

made against the British at Bathia. The enemy fled., abandoning all material and 500 dead. A small enemy detachment surrendered, being almost annihilated. “ In our attack on Kurna, at the confluence of the. Tigris and the Euphrates, the enemy suffered heavy losses. Hostile auxiliary forces attempted to relieve the British but wore forced to retreat.” The Press Bureau states that a correct account of the incident covered in the Turkish communique appeared in the War Office communique 'cabled on February 11.

(The statement issued by the War Office on February 11 said: —“A detachment making a reconnaissance along the branch of the Tigris named the Shatt-cl-Hai did not find any Turkish troops. The Arabs, who had hitherto been friendly, made an attack while the detachment was returning to Nnsiriyeh. The British suffered 373 casualties. The enemy lost over 300 killed. A punitive column, which has since been sent, surprised the Arabs and destroyed four villages.)