SWIFT STROKES IN SINAI.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14196, 13 January 1917, Page 3

SWIFT STROKES IN SINAI.

TURKS COMPLETELY C LEA IMM OUT. \ ■ THE RAFA VICTORY. BRILLIANT WORK OF THE ! MOUNTED MEN. (Reuter"s Telegram.) LONDON, Januaiy 12. The Rafa victory, was due to the same masterly surprise as Magdabah, the Anzaes, Yeomanry and camelry participating. Tha.tr such a strong position was captured m 12 hours testifies to the magnificent fighting powers of the troops and the skill of the commanders. It was the 31st Turkish Regime! :Sf which, suffered defeat, and it was composed entirely of Turkish regulars. Two hundred Turkish regulars and 2CO i Turks were, buried. In addition the captured were 1600 unwounded and 16.5 wounded prisoners, which include the I Turkish commander, 29 officers, and some German officers and non-coms. The British losses are: Killed. Wounded. Total , Officers ... 3 41 44 Men ... ... 68 384 452 71 425 496 (The Times.) LONDON, January 12. Mr W. T. Massey, the Times' correspondent m Egypt', m a cable from. I'M Arish, says: '.'•', I A brilliaaiit dash by the mounteds and j camel corps on Tuesday cleared out the ' Turks completely from Sinai, after two years. The Australians and New > Zealanders and Imperial troops quockly followed up their victory at Maghdaba with a rapid night march, reaching Rafa, a coast town 30 miles from xU I Arish. The garrison of 2300 were overI whelmed. ~ 1 The fighting began a* dawn. A relief force approaching from the horth.-ea.st :in the afternoon was intercepted and | withdrew, and finally the strong" posi tion, surrendered at /5 o'clock. Our casualties were ..slight.' The Maghdaba- and Rafa aot ions have resulted m the capture of 3000 prison.ers. .... • •■/' ; ; • These swift strokes have great moral effect. Our mounteds have a great range of action, and are m a high condition of training. ' | They have not given the enemy a, | chance .to escape, and their desert experience and mobility throughout have j thoroughly surprised the enemy. I■■ " —