ASIA MINOR CAMPAIGN

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9257, 26 January 1916, Page 5

ASIA MINOR CAMPAIGN

GALLANT WORK AMONG THE MOUNTAINS RUSSIAN PURSUIT OF TURKISH FORCES. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. LONDON, January 24. The ”Daily Chronicle’s” correspondent at Petrograd says there are no railways, no 16-inch guns, and no elaborate entrenchments in Eastern Anatolia, but there is tne snap of gallant adventure in fighting in the mountains and valleys of Armenia and Kurdistan. . The Turvish 3rd Army suffered a picturesque collapse while gathering forces at Melashkert to strike a blow at the Russian centre. The Russians, however, concentrated more rapidly, and struck hard, sending the Turks in pellmell flight over the snow-clad mountains. The Russians hotly pursued them to their base at Camel’s Back Mountain, which is strongly fortified, and guards the approach to Erzeroum. The Turks on the flanks were also demoralised and panic-stricken. It is expected the Turks will seek reinforcements in Mesopotamia. Meanwhile the Russians, under the dashing Georgian General Barattoft, are clearing the ground in Persia by seizing the fortified pass of Kencover. and entering Sultanabad, where they stopped communication by the IndoEuropean telegraphs between Persia and Turkey. The German Consul fled with a band of irregulars he had organised. MUSCOVITE CAVALRY AT ERZEROUM. PETROGRAD, January 24. The Russian advanced cavalry has reached the defences of Erzeroum The Turks are in headlong flight, and enormous quantities of material have been abandoned. Detachments have scattered, and are hiding in the mountaihs. BLACK SEA COAST BOMBARDED. • ' / PETROGRAD, January 24. Torpedo boats raided the Black Sea coast of South-eastern Anatolia, destroyed forty sailers, and bombarded Samtoon, Ounie, and Patz, destroying the harbourages, store-houses, and barracks. ’ g ATTACK ON EGYPT “DECLARED OFF.” LQNDON. January 24. The Exchange Telegraph correspondent at Rome states that the expedition to Egypt has been abandoned by the enemy in favour of a campaign Jn Mesopotamia, having for its objective the control of the Persian Gulf. RUSSIANS TEN DAYS’*MARCH FROM KUT-EL-AMAEA. (Received January 26, 0.50 a.m.) PETROGRAD, January 25. Russian forces west of Ham a dap are within ten days’ march of Kut-el-Amara, hut the country is mountainous, and the Germans are doing their best to keep a wedge between the Russians and Colonel Aylmer’s force. Local forces which Persia had armed to put down risings have gone over to the enemy recently mustered for an attack at the Kaadelan Pass, but were repelled. TIGRIS FLOODS CONTINUE The High Commissioner reports;;— LONDON, January 24, 10.5 p.m. Further telegrams from Sir Percy Lake report that an armistice was concluded for a few hours on Saturday, for the removal of the wounded and the burial of the dead. The Tigris rose during the last two days seven feet at Kut and two and a-half feet at Amarah, thus preventing all land movements of troops. General Townshend reports that he has sufficient supplies, and his troops are not being engaged farther.