IN MESOPOTAMIA

Southland Times, Issue 17971, 12 March 1917, Page 5

IN MESOPOTAMIA

tee ~p a t.t. of SAQHDAD. EXPECTED AT AITS’ MOMENT. TUSKS CUT TO PIECES. ADVANTAGES OP THE CAPTURE. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. — Copyright) (Australian & N.Z, Cable Association.) LONDON, Max oh 10. Bcceived March 11, 5.5 pun. The announcement of the fell of Baghdad Is expected momentarily. Zt is believed that the cavalry have occupied the city without opposition, and are now sweeping 1 northward of the city. The Daily Chronicle says it Is evident that the Turks in Mesopotamia are not in a condition to fight. They have probably lost at least two divisions, possibly an army corps. The great tiling Is that the Turkish army no longer exists as a fighting force. It Is understood that the country around Baghdad, between the Tigris and the Euphrates, can be inundated, especially now because of the rainy season. It is hoped that our cavalry will prevent the opening of the barrages. The importance of tha capture of Baghdad would be immense, apart from political reasons, because it serves as a base of operations against the Russians in the Kermanshah theatre. It is problematical if the Turks can extricate themselves when Baghdad is taken. Anyhow they must evacuate Persia. Another great advantage of the capture is that It will afford the British freedom to move. Hitherto they have been restricted by. the so-called corridor of Mesopotamia. The restricted fighting front has been a great impediment, but the corridor ceases above Baghdad, and we can expect open fighting, for which the Turks have not shown any talent, despite their dogged tenacity in defenv sive warfare.

RUSSIANS HASTENING SOUTH. TURKS RAFIDLT BETHEA TING. LONDON, March 10, Received March 11, 5.5 p.m. The Dally Chronicle’s Petrograd correspondent states that General Barrakoffs troops are advancing with great energy in order to co-operate with the British in the advance along the Tigris. •They are likely to early recapture positions abandoned in 1916.

The conditions this year are wholly different. The advance Is well organised and well supported. The Russians are much better acquainted with the country and mountain warfare amidst nomadic tribes.

Hamadan was captured after three days’ hard fighting. The Turks tried to stand at Asadabad Pass, then at Kingevar, and are now retreating rapidly towards Koroashaw.

TURKISH RESISTANCE SHATTERED. OH AEX FRONTS. XONDON, March 12. Received March 11, 5.5 p.m. The Dally Telegraph's Rome correspondent states that Information from the Russian Embassy reports that Turkish resistance has been shattered, even on the Armenian and Persian fronts. The Russian armies are march, in# victoriously upon their objectives in complete accord with Britain. Turkey now realises the mistake of sending her best troops to Europe, where they have been so decimated that they no longer render effective service. THE RUSSIAN ADVANCE. LONDON, March 9. Received March 10, 5.5 p.m. Russian official: We destroyed fortifications at Mirzonilkeine, north-west-ward of Erzingan. Our scouts advanced sixteen and a-half miles south-west of Sakkiz.

A TEBIX.Ii OF EXPECTATION, rtmxs OUTNUMBERED ANS OUTMAWOBUTKiiI). (United Service.) LONDON, March 9. Received March 10, 6.55 p.m. The rapid advance on Baghdad has caused a thrill of expectation. Whether the Turks have constructed defences on the Diala river, which will bring the cavalry to a halt until the infantry arrive, is not yet known. Present information indicates that the Turks are hopelessly outnumbered and out-manoeuvred. Paris is excited. M. Marcel Hutin believes that Baghdad has already been captured. TURKS MAKE A STAND. RESISTANCE SOOTS OF BAGHDAD. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Assn & Reuter) LONDON, March 11. Received March 11, 11.5 p.m. Mesopotamian official; Our gunboats and cavalry discovered on Wednesday that the enemy was holding a line on the Dlala river in some strength. We engaged the enemy on Thursday. The enemy's Cteslphon position had been most carefully prepared, and it is clear that the enemy intended to hold it. Its evacuation was probably due to our rapid advance from Azizie,