EGYPT

Nelson Evening Mail, 26 September 1916, Page 5

EGYPT

Sit;. AROHIBALiD .MURBAV'-S DESPATCH. (Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON. Sept. 25. General Sir Archibald Murray, in a despatch dated June Ist, details the reorganization of the Dardanelles army, the re-equipment of the Australians and New Zealanders. and the training of the Australian reinforcements at Tel el Ivebir until the Anzac training depots were transferred to Knsrland. The Turks~prior to March had 250.0G0 troops ready to attack the Canal, 'but after the capture of Eiv.eroum the garrison in Syria were reduced to 60,000. The Second Australian and New Zealand' Army Corps came into existen:e on March 27th. under the command of General Godley. It consisted of MajorGoneral 'Cox's Fourth division, General McCav's Fifth Division, and General ChativeFs Anzac Mounted Division. The Army Corps assisted in patrolling the western front.

The Ninth Australian Horse, under Major Scott., mad-e a most successful rei connaissance at .TifJaffa on the 11th and > 15th April, the operations being most j creditable to all ranks. i The Fifth Australian 'Light- Horse assisted in the pursuit of the Turks at Kantara on April 23rd. During May reconnaissances on the east front were frequent, where three brigades of Anzac Mounted Ritles, including the New Zealand 'Mounted Rifles, we're present. They proved a unit whicli could tie absolutely depended upon to display energy, resource, and .endurance. Sir Archibald Murray recommends the following officers to the the Staff: Generals Sir William Rirdwood, Sir A. J. Godley. Cox, McCay. and Chauvel. Lieutenant-Colonel C. Richardson, of the New Zealand Staff, is recommended for good service with the 'Salonika army.