THE PALESTINE CAMPAIGN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3333, 30 January 1918, Page 15

THE PALESTINE CAMPAIGN.

; Palestine official messages state: Successful patrol actions in tho coastal area brought prisoners. Our aeroplanes raided camps and stores near a railway station two miles west of Samaria. Our aeroplanes bombed camps and depots west of Sebustich, making several direct hits. We also surprised 2000 troops in close formation, south of Nablus, and dropped half a ton of bombs upon them before they could disperse. We also bombed a camp of mounteds, stampeding the animals. Official despatches state that 160,000 Turks—over 50 per cent, of von Falkenhayn's entire army—deserted during the march from Constantinople to Palestine. Turkish communiqque: We rectified our lines in Palestine, advancing them two kilometres. GENERAL ALLENBY'S DESPATCH. A Gazette publishes General Allenby's despatch covering the Palestine army's operations from June 28, 1917, to tho- fall of Jerusalem. The general emphasises the transport difficulties, and the shortage of water. The routes for transport were extremely limited, and practically the whole of tho available transport, including 30,000 camels, had to be allotted to one portion of tho Eastern forces. » Tho despatch tells how, before tho fall of Gaza, the enemy, who was strongly entrenched, were kept guessing as to the whereabouts of the main attack—namely, from Hareira. and Sheria—where on a large scale the operations against Gaza were prepared. The_ despatch shows that there was a most rapid consolidation of tho British gains in the passes of the Judean Hills before tho Turks could rally. That ensured the surrender of Jerusalem. Tho New Zealand Mounted . Rifles on November 14 had a smart engagement at Ayankara, six miles south of Jaffa. The Turks counter-attacked determinedly, and got within 15 yards of our line. A bayonet attack drove them back, with heavy losses. Our infantry commenced to advance against Jerusalem on November 19, one portion advancing along the main road towards Kurketelnab, with the Australian Mounteds protecting their right flank. Kurketelnab was captured the following clay. Tho enemy's attack on November 29 penetrated an outpost of the line northcast of Jaffa; but he was driven out. Tho despatch mentions that the general commanding tho Mounteds -was invariably successful in attack and pursuit. His cooperation with other arms was always ready and loyal, and contributed greatly to victory. FUTURE OF PALESTINE. At the Jewish Conference at Bradford a member of the Executive Council of the Zionist Federation stated that the British Government intended shortly to allow a commission to proceed to Palestine to preparo for tho establishment of the Jewish nation. Tin's would be followed by a staff of technical experts, engineers, architects, and town-planners. The Zionist. Mission did no't intend, said tho speaker, to create a group of international financiers to exploit Palestine, but rather to place on tho land by purchase a Jewish proletariat that would work harmoniously with tho Arabs.

FIGHTING IN ARABIA. The Press Bureau reports that Arab forces have- conducted successful operations since the Ist of January in the neighbourhood of Maan. They occupied strong positions at Abulissal and also at Maghaira, and compelled the Turks to evacuate Rishforrest, which was a serious blow to the enemy. After two days' engagement north of Maan, tho Arabs occupied Jaufedderwish. They killed 80 and captured 200 Turks and one field gun. British aeroplanes thrice bombed Maan. The British War Office announces that Arabs captured a Turkish convoy east of Medina. EAST AFRICAN OPERATIONS. East Africa official: We are in contact with the enemy 50 miles south-east of Port Amelia. Our Nyaealand column occupied Luvambulaboma. Floods are hastening the enemy's northward withdrawal. An official message from East Africa states: We have reached _ Nanunga, 50 miles inland from. Port Welia.