MIDDLE EAST.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13930, 12 July 1917, Page 6

MIDDLE EAST.

OPERATIONS IN MESOPOTAMIA. GENERAL MAUDE'S DESPATCHES. • ... ~ _ ~ .'. ..."... .'j» (Australian and N,Z. Cablo Association)' LONDON, July 10;; ' A despatch issued by General Maudo covering the seven months until March 31st, shows that the period was equally ! divided in preparations and tho subso•qucnt operations leading to the fall 'of Baghdad. Tho despatch describes how the advance was successfully' carried out in face of difficult conditions through the tenacious spirit ami gnl< lantry of the British and Indian troops, brilliantly seconded by the Navy. The Mesopotamia Commission's rccent disclosures attract attention and ' eroate a special interest iii General Maude's references to present water transport and hospital arrangements. He states that the newly-formed inland water transport directorate is so well organised that night and day an endless chain of river boats passed up and down, thereby assuring the maintenance 'of the troops at the front. Oiir well-equip- • ped hospitals aro more than adequate to meet the calls, and throughout tho operations the treatment of woundeilW was carried out on model li'iire ~/T/ho arrangements for the comfort rapid transfer of patients from to hospitals reflect much croiliti oil th'oso concerned.

General Maude thankfully acknowledged the prompt response fo demands from England, India, and Egypt, '"