ATTACKS ON ADVANCED DEFENCES OF SUEZ CANAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16213, 26 April 1916, Page 7

ATTACKS ON ADVANCED DEFENCES OF SUEZ CANAL.

(TURKISH FORCE BEATEN OFF BY AUSTRALIAN COLUMN ENEMY HEAVILY PUNISHED BY TROOPS AND AEROPLANES. OUTPOSTS RETIRE FROM KATIA OASIS BEFORE 3000 TURKS. Eizh Commissioner's Cabled Mess»s». •" • • • London, April 24. The British repulsed an attack on Saturday on Bir-el-Duweidar, an oasis 15 miles from El Kantara, on the road from the Suez Canal to El-Arish. The Australians, acting in concert with aeroplanes, harassed the retreating enemy, who suffered heavily.

Our aeroplanes observed the enemy assembling in the desert in the neighbourhood of Bir-el-Duweidar. A force of about 500 strongly attacked the British outposts. Reinforcements were brought up and

the attack was beaten off. The enemy withdrew, leaving 30 prisoners. The casualties suffered by the enemy included 40 killed.

During its retreat, the enemy force was harassed by a column of 'Australian troops, acting in concert with aeroplanes. The enemy suffered heavy casualties from the fire from the troops, and from the bombs and machine-gun fire from the aeroplanes.

Simultaneously an attack was made on Katia village, about 35 miles from El Kantara, by a hostile column 3000 strong with three field guns. The village was held by a small force of yeomanry, and after a severe engagement, the British withdrew from the village.

Katia and Bir-el-Dnweidar are on the road followed by the Turkish force which attacked EI Kantara in February of last year. Katia was occupied by the Australians about a fortnight ago. The last occasion on which fighting was reported was when ? force of Australians on April 13 defeated an enemy force at Bir Gifgaffa, about 60 miles from Serapeura, on the line of the main Turkish advance last year.