EARLY ATTACKS OR GAZA.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11401, 21 November 1917, Page 8

EARLY ATTACKS OR GAZA.

mi THEY FAILED.

GENERAL MURRAY’S REPORT.

Received Nov. 21. 1 P- Ul - Loudon, Not. 20. Gcmer-d Murry’s despatch describes tlie prominent pare the A’istralian and Nov,' Zealand Monnteds took in tin; attacks on Oa/.u ni M rch and on April 2nd. llio nstr liau Light Horse rested their right on the sea, northward ol CL/,a, on the 2C.tIT March, and the Now Zealanders, on their lett, closing the exit from Gaza. The coup tie main failed owing to log and the waterless nature of the country. The onemv’s casualties were 8000 and ours 4000. The Hack on the 17th and 20th April f- ilod owing to the onoiuy’a reinforcements, new trenches preventing the encircling cavalry movement. Machine guns hold up the infantry, hut the xnounfcocLs gained their objectives. The Fourth Australian Light Horse *svoro later compelled to give ground and the Third Light Horse suffered heavy casualties. Our c>sualtio« were 7000. General Murray rcluctantly decided that it was necessary to await reinforcements. Ho says it is unnecessary to reiterate praises of the Australians and New Zealand Mountods, who always come up to their high reputation of the Imperial Camel Corps, whose personnel was Australian and New Zealand. Tho British proved themselves to he n corps d’elite, possessing <iuito remarkable spirit and gall’iitry. Tlio lioaltli of tlie troops throughout has boon singularly good and the Anstrnliun olid Now Ze d aid Medical Corps are rein <rkablo for efficiency mid unremitting devotion.

THETURKISH FORCE Hi PALESTINE THE COMMANDER REPLACED. Received Nov. 21, 1 p. m. Amsterdam, Nov. 20. Xzzot Pasha hus replaced Djimal Pasha as Generalissimo in Palestine.