AT GAZA

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9629, 9 April 1917, Page 5

AT GAZA

t DESPERATE BATTLE ANZACS' GREAT WORK. By Talejrrapb—Press Association—Copyrlehf Published in "The Times.” LONDON, April 6. The correspondent. Air Massey, states ttiat near Gaza on March U7tli a swift movement characteristic of the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces surprised the onomy on a foggy dawn in the groat Gaza plain. The Tog prevented the development ot the attack until 10 in the morning, and this was deeply unfortunate, , because the capture of Gaza depended on speed, the Turkish reinforcements being within fifteen miles. Another two hours of daylight would have meant the fall of the city. The battlefield is separated from the sea by two miles of sandhills, in which tlio Turks entrenched in a perfect labyrinth of deep trenches and redoubts in skilfully-selected sites. The garrison consisted of seven Turkish regiments with Austrian" gunners. The country is intersected by nullah* and wide precipitous cracks. The cavalry crossed the Wade Guzza for enveloping movements, its banks being forty feet high and perpendicular. The Anzacs, Yeomanry and horse batteries cut the banks and built ramps. All the movements during the fog wore done by tlio compass. ■ Afterwards jt was soon seen that enemy reinforcements and cavalry woro coming from the base in the Judea hills towards Boersheha. The artillery preparation seemed to lift up sections of the trenches, and then the infantry marched to the attack, taking advantage of every scrap, of cover, the Welsh Territorials engaging in hand-to-hand fighting in a bewildering maze of trenches and conquering their tenacious opponents at even ing. \

Meanwhile a portion of the Anzaca and Aeoinaijry was ordered to close in from the north-cast and assist the infantry. The Aimes hegam taking trenches at sunset, and the Now Zealander's got to close quarters and had desperate lighting until' the close approach of the enemy’s reinforcements necessitated the cavalry’s withdrawal, as it was between two fires. Next afternoon the Turks made a tremendous effort to break our line, and for two hours the fighting waa magnificent. Our shrapnel ranged perfectly and smashed, the lines of attackers, while the machine-guns 1 caused heavy casualties. The Anzacs, Yeomanry and infantry were all splendid. The New Zealanders captured two hundred men and gome howitzers. The Turks, endeavouring to prevent the removal of .these, entered a house which was enfiladed by New Zealanders, who loaded the howitzers and demolished the house.

The New Zealand Brigade’s casualties during the day wore two killed and twenty-nine wounded. They took 225 prisoners. ; Another instance of dashing bravery was an amazing fight between eight armoured cars against 5000 infantry and artillery. The oars wore pushed forward over rough, trackless ground. The enemy tried every moans to capture the cars. They fought sometime? in line, sometimes in column, but the’ cars mowed down the Turks at range* of '25 yards to 300 yards, and ran the gauntlet for ,two hours. One assailant was killed and 1 four wounded. The Turks lost in killed and wounded a» least 350 men.

AUSTRIAN PEACE MOVE GERMANY’S LATEST -ATTITUDE. O r Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received April 8, 6.6 p.m.) LONDON, April V. The “Morning Rost’s” Amsterdam corresponden t states that the general impression in Holland is that there _n? some disagreement between' Austria and Germany j-egarding the fresh peace move. The “Lokal Anzeiger” on Monday announced semi-oflicially that Germany would co-operate with Austria’s new proposal on the lines of Count Czernin’s interview. Now the“Koelnisch© Zeitung” denies the report, adding merely that Germany it still willing - to' enter into negotiations for. an honourable pence. . It is believed hero that both announcement? presented the official German view when made. Germany hoped that the first report would induce Congress at Washington to insist upon' a modified war policy, but President Wilson's address destroyed that hope, and Germany then disavowed her intention, fearing to indicate weakness. Dr von Bethmaun-Hollwcg’s conferences with Count Czernin, the Austrian Foreign Minister, have ended.

THE EASTERN CAMPAIGN HEAVY GERMAN LOSSES. Oy Teleerapb—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N-Z. Cable Association. • LONDON, April 6. A wireless Russian official message states: After heavy artillery fire, including chemical shells, the Germane occupied portion of the trenches eastward of Plaktanen, south of Riga, •but were driven out. Ten Russian aeroplanes bombed the railway buildings at Kuty, south-west of Sviniuki. French aeroplanes in the Dobrudja twice bombed a battery northward of Garvan. . Our seaplanes successfully bombed, fortifications in the Bosphorus. In the fighting on the left bank of the Stokhod on 3rd and 4th April, which ended in our crossing to thV right hank, the troops defending the bridgehead lost severely. Only a few score men of two regiments reached the right bank. Both the commanderswore killed. A third regiment lost half of its effectives. Some wounded men of two other regiments survived. - Aus. s.nd K Z. Cabla Assn, and Beater. (Received April 9, 1.30 a.m.) LONDON, April S. A Russian communique states; North of Brzezany and west of Toimiomix we repulsed enemy attacks. South of Brzezany we exploded a mine and occupied enemy trenches. - *