BRILLIANT STROKE EFFECTED IN MESOPOTAMIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16823, 13 April 1918, Page 7

BRILLIANT STROKE EFFECTED IN MESOPOTAMIA.

TURKS SURROUNDED AND FORCED TO SURRENDER. Australian unci N.Z (Received 8.15 p.m.', LONDON. April 11

A correspondent in Mesopotamia, describing the brilliant success on the Euphrates on March 26, states: The attack on the Turkish central positions began at 2.30 in the morning of the 26th in bright moonlight. The Turks opened fire on the attackers, but the first two lines of trenches were taken with slight loss. The attackers halted until the artillery fame up, and resumed their advance at 11 o'clock. The. final line of trenches was easily captured. An attack was then made on the northern positions, which were carried with trifling loss, largely owing to the remarkably accurate barrage. The advance was continued at three o'clock in the morning of March 26. Meanwhile the cavalry made a wide circuit and cut off the line of retreat. The enemy endeavoured all night to break through tho cavalry barrier, but was repulsed everywhere. The surrender was a dramatic spectacle, the enemy emerging from the dust storms at various points and laying down their arms. An even more dramatic episode was witnessed next day when black masses of the enemy were discovered in rough country. The British sealed the ravines. Eventually a white flag fluttered on the hill, and the enemy surrendered with his transport. A day was occupied in rounding up smaller parties by means of armoured cars.