TAKING BAGHDAD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9619, 27 March 1917, Page 5

TAKING BAGHDAD

MARVELLOUS HEROISM VIVID NARRATIVE OF A TERRIBLE BATTLE. By TolesrrAph—Prcw Association—Copyrteli' Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received-Match 26, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 25. Mr Edmund Candler, “Daily Mail” correspondent with the British forces in Mesopotamia, telegraphs from Baghdad a vivid , narrative of a midnight battle to secure the crossing ol the Diala river. . “After the Turks had destroyed tlio bridge,” he says, “we pushed on along the left bank, sending cavalry and infantry columns to work round on tho right bank and enter Baghdad from tho west. Tho column attacking the Dialn position had to force a crossing at a point where the clement ot surprise' had been eliminated, -. since the old bridge-head site was chosen. “When the first pontoon was lowered over the ramp, the whole of tbe launching 'party were shot down in a few seconds. In the bright hioonlight the Turks concentrated their fire on cho spot from machine-guns and rifles in houses on tho opposite bank. ■ “A second pontoon was launched, and reached the middle of tho stream I then the whole of her crew were killed, owing to tho terrible fusillade kept up by the hidden enemy. ,“A third pontoon was almost across when it was bombed, and sank. Then crew after crew pushed off to certain death, the pontoons drifting down tho Tigris past the British camp with their freights of dead. '■ “After the failure. of the bridgehead passage tho order for attempts at a second crossing was canceilcd; but an attempt was made on the second night with ; equal gallantry. This time bombardment preceded tho attack. The barrage raised such a dust that it formed a curtain, behind which ton boats succeeded in crossing. The parties were exterminated when the curtain of dust lifted, but, a tooting had been secured. One pontoon drifted back. A sergeant, called for volunteers to gather in the wounded, and all the twelve volunteers were killed.

“Sixty Lancashire men were now established on the opposite shore, and commenced bombarding along the bank, though heavily pressed by the Turks. On both flanks, fortunately, the Lancashires discovered a break in the river bend, which formed a half-moon On the landward side, protected by a neighbouring grove of mulberries and palms. Hero the sixty Lancushircs held out through the night, all the next day and the next night against repeated and determined attacks. The Turks once reached the top of the parapet, but though the garrison was reduced to forty, these drove back the attackers. The garrison was reduced almost to the last clin of cartridges and a single bomb, tvbeh the British crossing completed the work- . ' ■■■■._■ v ‘Tonally cavalry and two uiiantry columns threatened to cut off the Turks, who hurriedly retreated.

PERSUSJAMPfIIGK TrRKS DISLODOr.D BY lly Telccraph—Press Association—Copyrlsfbi Auz. and N.Z. Cable Agan. and Kcuter. (Received March 26, 8.50 p.m.) LONDON, March 26. A Russian official message states: On the 18th, in the direction of Khanikip, we dislodged the Turks near the village of Harm and in the Serimlkcnnd Pass. We attacked, on the 19th, the Turkish position near Miantag. GERMAN BRBIHLLOWANGE By Telejprapb —Pre** AwiocSa.tlon—* Copjrlsbi Australian and N.Z. Cable Aasociatlon. ZURICH. March 25, The “Vorwaerta." dealing with the food situation in Germany, eays: “It *s impossible to exist oh the bread allowance, which has now. been reduced to two hundred grammes’’ (seven ounces). ■ LIMITING LUXURIES COMMONWEALTH GOVERNMENT TAKES ACTION. Telccrapii— MELBOURNE. March 20. The Federal Government is appointing a board to inquire into importations,- and to formulate a scheme to limit the importation of luxuries.