THE CAMPAIGN IN PALESTINE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 1019, 12 November 1917, Page 5

THE CAMPAIGN IN PALESTINE.

TURKS IN FULL RETREAT. BETHLEHEM RAILHEAD CAPTURED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association, LONDON, Nov. 9. Am Egyptian official message says: The whole Turkish army is retreating north-, wards and is being bombed by British aeroplanes. The enemy upon our right is retiring on Hebron. Wo hampered his retreat, capturing prisoners and transport. Our mountcds, advancing through Jemameh and Huj, thirteen and nine miles respectively eastward of Gaza, reached the south bank of the Wadi Hesi, which is twelve miles northward of the old Turkish front, and thus established contact with our forces advancing from Gaza. The latter forces captured the north bank and the mouth of the Wadi Hesi and Herbies, reaching the railway and turning the enemy’s prepared positions on this wadi. Wo also captured the Turkish coastal railhead at Bethlehem, and, pursuing the enemy in the direction of Wadi Hesi, captured over forty guns. The British navy, assisted by the French, actively cooperated throughout by bombarding the enemy’s communications near the coast and affording other valuable assistance. ENEMY CASUALTIES ESTIMATED AT 10,000 EXCLUDING PRISONERS. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association LONDON, Nov. 10. An Egyptian official message says: Our mountcds advancing rapidly captured another 400 men and 10 guns. Our line now runs in a south-easterly direction from two miles northward of Hammamah to two miles northward of Arakel and Mcnshye, on the central railway, and generally from ten to six miles northward of Wadi Hesi. Wo occupied Askalon. Our aeroplanes continue to bomb bodies of retreating Turks and all the important centres of communication, dropping 300 bojubs during the day. The captured guns number over 70, of which several are 5.9’5. • General Al’lenby estimates the enemy’s casualties at 10.000 exclusive of prisoners. GERMANS ADMIT THE DEFEAT. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association STOCKHOLM, Nov. 10. The Kolnischo Volks Zoitung admits the Turkish defeat, and adds that British ships wore sighted oil' Ascalon preparing to land, but tho Turkish army had taken the necessary measures. I recent operations described. I SCOTS’ WONDERFUL FEAT. Received November 12, 11.20 a.rn. LONDON, Nov. 11. I \\\ r X\ .Massey (the war correspondent.) telegraphs that the interest on 'Thursday centred on a position which the division i> holding in the Atuwinch sector, south-east-ward of Gaza. Though deprived of support on tho right, and left, it held the Irene i-* ami redoubts, but was heavily shelled. had begun oil Wednesday to get round both the flanks, and the Anzac Mountcds tried to move across the rear. Apparently Ihi enemy determined to remove the bulk of his troops at night, leaving the trenches lightly held. The west countrymen got these early in the morning, and the afternoon brought indications that the Turks wore retreating. A big ammunition store. was blown up a long way in his rear. The Scottish territorials had marched

during the night thirteen miles across the ?and dunes, in sand ankio deep throughou to the high ground northward of Wadi Hesi, preventing the 'lurks ping _ > IC J" 1 '; way for the removal of material. Ihe boots brought up the held guns and heavy butteries a wonderful feat, over terrible ground. Tho Turks felt the weight of the metal from these, and at Lahthanun moved out of the way. Our troops on tho east, meanwhile, were overcoming the difficult conditions. Iho Irishmen, Londoners, and others, by long marches ami spells of hard fighting, progressed with the dismounted Yeomanry, who displayed fitness and determination, their keenness being whetted by their trials. The work of the inounteds, Yeomanry. Australians and Now Zealaiiders lias been magnificent. Aeroplanes bombed two bodies of Turk-, numbering 5000. near the coast. between Seneid and Medijel. '1 he fliers also frot. many with machine suns, and bombeil columns," transports, stations, and aero (Ironies.. THE GERMAN CHANCELLORSHIP AGAIN VACANT. AMSTERDAM. Nov. 9. The Kaiser has accepted llerr llelflerieh's resignation.