FALL OF JERUSALEM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17664, 17 December 1917, Page 5

FALL OF JERUSALEM.

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DETAILS OF FIGHTING. AVOIDING DAMAGE TO HOLY PLACES. By. Telegraph—Press" Association- -Copyright. Reuter'i Telegiame. LONDON, December 14. An Egyptian Headquarters message says:— Surely never has the population of a conquered city received with deeper and more heartfelt gladness invaders with whom there was no connection in kin. It was a tribute to the qualities and race reputation of our soldiers that there was hardly a soul in Jerusalom but was elated over this fresh and great success of British arms. . Jews, Arabs, Greeks and Copts were banded together in enthusiasm over our advent.

The nightmare of Turkish oppression was dispelled by the thunder of our guns outside, the town, and with the hasty flight of the last remnants of Turkish soldiery Jerusalem woko to welcome the dawn.

When the British general entered the town to take its surrender his progress was a moving and pathetic spectacle. The car was surrounded by a huge crowd, hysterically laughing, crying, clapping hands and showering flowers on our officers.

The relief and confidence were general and unmistakable. These feelings were intensified by the knowledge that, despite'provocation, not a single shrapnel shell >r rifle bullet had been directed upon the town. The offensive, which resulted in such a glorious success, began on the night of December 7. For some days previously the Turks had been distinctly aggressive, and had made several attacks on our positions, especially at Neby Samheil, which was then held by the Londoners. Four attacks succeeded each other, the Turks employing special "storm troops." The final attack was preceded by such a heavy shelling that the enemy were confident v that our troops must be blown off the summit. They advanced to the assault with rifles slung. Our lads allowed them to cherish their delusion until they came quite close and then dealt with them with rifles and bayonets. Every attack was repulsed, with bloody loss to tho enemy. The Turks held a strong line south-north-east of Jerusalem- By dint of great labour they had- dug trenches some way down the slope of the last rise before tho Holy City. Tho protected places were abundantly provided with machine-guns, and their artillery dominated tho opposite crests, over which our men must advance. Some guns were actually established just outside the walls of Jerusalem, making it impossible to repty

to their fire without endangering the town. . , Unfortunatelv, the weather again plaved us false. Torrent of heavy ram succeeded torrent, but despito tho discomfort and exposure our men moved into their positions under cover of night. Oar attack pivoted on INeby bartihicl, the dismounted Yeomanry attacking north' and north-eastward of that position- The Londons, in line soutn of Nebv Samhiel, had advanced duo east upon Jerusalem, and at the same time the Welsh and some country troops moved up tho Hebron Road, threatening Jerusalem from tho south. The latter found Hebron evacuated, but encountered resistance around Bethlehem. _ , . , , , Here also, the Turks had so posted their guns that counter battery work would endanger the village. In consequence, our troops had to undcico the disagreeable experience ot bcfne shelled without ability to reply Nfvertheless, they pressed forward drove out the Turks, and by madda? on December 8, the Welsh and CheslSe troops were two miles north of Bethlehem- . ~ , , , The Londoners, in the order of attack had to climb down a deep s.'ope and half-way up a higher slope on the WpoSte side before they could come to STwith the.enemy-gromid so s eeg that it was impossible to bring neia guns forward to support the advance. g While one body made a direct frontal attack against the Turkish, defences abov7the°vTllage of Ainkanm about dawn the Londoners, on both flanks, wem'in a position -enabling them to rash the Turkish works, which were ormed and captured, and by seven Xck in the morning the whole enemy works west of Jerusalem were m our

ha The Turks, however, yet held the last line on the top of. the ndgo overfooking Jerusalem, haying poste<l num. erous machine guns.m houses in tl c Jewish-German colonies on the farthest outskirts of Jerusalem. Our gallant L.ondon lads charged up to ascent towards the tote afternoon of Decemebr 8. It was feat, and was crowned by complete SU S B Turks were driven at the point of the bayonet from their line, the survivors bolting on either side of Jeru"rHr losses, both at the yorks and especially in'the final fight on the 'lf Shout a th "fighting Sound . Jerusalem they SEJ Xo) any Sting. They stood their ?Sirin? S?SS» the enemy, withdrew o"north and east of the city. ofpote' Lt|K UoTJgJ offering to surrender th ? town and tne General th| W lt l^te^Sn^fo e r r ward and without aeffily entering the Holy City, charge nianyoea r ?? d ,Wrd ofi P the Mount of Olives Sth tKisS.ce of the Welsh troops, So by now, had moved up from the S3h, while tho Londoners, were carryal before them m their section. The dismounted Yeomanry were not l ess successful against their objectives .further north, where the Turks were established in a strong series of trenches round the village of Baitakes. . These were carried m a nish in the most 'gallant manner, our lin e being advanced bwond the village Some Turks who continued to hold out in the village after we passed were subsequently disposed of by the dismounted, who secured a good position, which enabled them to go forward as soon as the Londoners came through the suburbs of Jerusalem . The Londoners advanced, being materially helped by the Yeomanry's sucand roached the road leading to Nablus, thus cutting off the Turkish retreat northwards. In these parte the enemy suffered very heavy casualties, while our losses wero comparatively light. The Welsh, who had advanced from the south, pushed across the road east) of Jerusalem and leading to Jericho. Turkish reinforcements, who were advancing hv this rond. having been rushed by the Hedjaz railway to th a succour

of Jerusalem, were held up and forced back. v In the course of the operations we captured nearlv 2000 prisoners, three guns and many machine guns, also 700 rounds of big gun ammunition. We released three British prisoners captured at Gaza. The correspondent pays a tribute to tho admirable staff work and the wonderful co-ordination of all the movements of-tho master mind which conceived the plans of capturing the eity without injuring a single stoneA good deal now le known of whatt took place at Jerusalem in the early days of the war. The attack on the Suez Canal was made to appear as a Turkish triumph. What was not known is that the Turkish losses at this period exceeded 45,000 dead from neglect and lack of food and overwork. The people were so reduced that they used to fight for the bodies of animals which died°in the streetls.

"THE THIRD ACT." Preaching at the Cathedral yesterday morning, Dean Carrington said that tho recovery of Jerusalem might well prove to bo one of the greatest events in the world's History. He did not know what the military significance was, but tho moral significance of last week's achievement would be realised by all, especially among the nations of tho East. Personally, he was greatly impressed by tho wide improbability of tho event. Had anyone in Christchurch four years ago declared that the New Zealand armies would be now taking their share in the recovery of Jerusalom, ho would have been' laughed aside as a crank. But tho great wonder had happened. The third act of the world's great religious drama had opened. The first act had concluded with the Crucifixion, and the second with the sweeping away of Moslem mastery of the Holy City.