FIGHTING IN CITY

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 276, 20 October 1938, Page 12

FIGHTING IN CITY

EXPERIENCE IN JERUSALEM. 20,000 TROOPS PREPARING. LONDON, Oct. 18. While the British are fighting in the Old City of Jerusalem, which has not known' such an experience since its capture by Saladin in the 12th Century, 20,000 troops are preparing the virtual reconquest of the entire country. Amoured car detachments and patrols completely surround the Old City, large areas of which are cordoned off. Aeroplanes are constantly flying over. Two air force officers were wounded by gunfire. The majority of the Old City’s 27,000 population have been prisoners in their houses for 36 hours. Many are foodless and without water. Several children, who were nonpartisans, were wounded in cross-fire, near a mosque. The rebels in the Old City are estimated at 400.

The Military Court has sentenced to death an Arab, who is the eighth in a week, on a charge of possessing firearms.

Saladin wis Sultan of Syria and Egypt. He spent his youth in Damascus. By 1170 he had become Vizier, and by'll7s had made himself master of the realm and had been declared sultan, The next few years were spent in strengthening his hand for the struggle with the Christians, which he opened in 1187 by a. brilliant sweep through Palestine, culminating in the capture of Jerusalem on October 2, 1187. Saladin died in Damascus on March 4, 1193.