THE MIDDLE EAST

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17646, 26 November 1917, Page 5

THE MIDDLE EAST

PALESTINE CAMPAIGN

PROGRESS NORTH OF JERUSALEM. TURKS SHELL HISTORIC MOSQUE, A. and N.Z. Cable Association and Reuter. (Received November 25, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 24. A Palestine official message states: We ■ stormed on Wednesday tho Nebi Saimvil ridge, the site of ancient Mispah, five thousand yards westward of the Jerusalom-Nablus road. Wo beat oft repeated counter-attacks. The enemy bombarded the mosque containing the traditional tomb of tho Prophet Samuel, which wo carefully avoided. Our mounted troops, which aprpoached Beit Unia on Wednesday, were forced back by a strong counter-attack. Wo are now holding J3et Ur ot Foka. The weather is bright, but cold. Monday’s successful action westward of Kuryot ol Anab was duo to tho gallantry of the Somerset, Wiltshire and Gurkha RegimentsTHE BRITISH ADVANCE. GOOD WORK UNDER DEPRESSING CONDITIONS. LONDON, November 24Mr Massey reports from Palestine:— Tho sceno of the lighting gets further eastward of Ramleh daily. 4Vo arc driving tho Turks out of tho hill country by persistent attacks. The situation i's most encouraging, though tho enemy is stubbornly resisting and bnj-e----ly retiring until hard pressed. Tno West Country men made a gallant bayonet charge to dislodge the enemy from nooks and crannies. The Turks have managed to got guns into position, which retard us somewhat.. Although tho country is difficult, cavalry is always threatening the enemy’s flanks. Tho conditions aro depressing for the fighting men. They tried to sleep in cheerless bivouacs while tho supply troops worked unceasingly, get-t-inrr food ami stores through slippery mud amid violent rainstorms and piercing winds, following a warm day. THE RAMLEH FIGHT. GREAT WORK BY ANZACS. A. and N.Z. Cablo Association and Router. CAIRO, November 23. A correspondent, describing the operations around Ramleh, says there was little opposition until four miles from Ramleh. when twc > fresh .Turkish battalions came into notion, and coun-ter-attacked with much determination. They got to within fifteen yards of tho Now Zealand mounted troops, who were dismounted and lnid been advancing on foot. The Turks paid donrly for their temerity. It was a case of “ Up, lads, and at ’em."

The Auckland and Wellington Rifles charged with tho bayonet and practically wiped out tho Turkish force. Over four hundred dead were counted heforo our lines. ft was an illustration of strength and skill meeting their reward. The

Turks were utterly routed. Very few survivors continued their way to the supports near Rnmleli. it was too laio for the Anzacs to push on, but next morning they entered Itamloh without opposition. They captured, three hundred prisoners at Lydda, and a largo amount of war material, the enemy having hurriedly retired during the night. On the following day Jaffa was entered by tho Anzacs. _ In all these operations, extending over a fortnight, and where there was almost daily fighting, it is gratifying to know that our losses were compar.itivolv small. In the case of animals the loss was very much less than expected. JERUSALEM TO' RE ABANDONED. Router’s Telograms. AMSTERDAM. November 23. The “ Norddeutsch Allgomeine Zeitung” forecasts the abandonment of Jerusalem, hut says that its loss would bo of no military importance. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. (Received November 25, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. November 23 In the Ho'use of Commons, Lieuten-ant-Colonel Hope stated that ail AngloTurkish conference would be held shortly regarding the exchange of prisoners. Meanwhile the Turks had consented to a Netherlands diplomatist visiting the internment camps to ascertain tlio prisoners’ winter clothing requirements. “ yV G shall,” Colonel Hope added, demand at the Berne conference facilities for inspection and reports on the camps.” THE ADEN EXPEDITION. A BRITISH SUCCESS. (Received November 25, 5-5 p.m.) LONDON, November 23. An Aden official message states:—Me caotured a Turkish post at Galier, fifteen miles north of Aden. Losses were inflicted on the enemy and defences were destroyed.