MESOPOTAMIA.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13998, 31 January 1916, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

REVIEW OP THE SITUATION

London, Jan. 28

The "Morning Post" sums up, the situation in Mesopotamia as follows: —

After the fighting on the Bth the Turks retreated eight miles to a position midway between Sheikhsaad and the right angle bend of the Tigris near Elovrasa. The position is described as a wadi, which is a dry river bed, joining the Tigris on the left bank. Major-Gen-eral Aylmer was advancing on both

banks

The frontal attack on the 12th was combined with an outflanking movement in the north. -The Turks retired at night five miles to a position astride the river at the great right angle bend, of which the northern flank covered marshy ground. The result of the fighting on Friday was indecisive. Generar Aylmer was forced to fall back 1300 yards from his position, and there is little prospect of progress until the weather improves and the country is

drained

General Townshend is evidently too rigidly beleaguered to co-operate with the relieving column.

Another British force is advancing alone; the Sliat-el-hal, which joins the Tigris at Kut-el-Amara. Probably a force occupies the Euphrates Yallcy in , order to prevent a Turkish advance on

Basra

General Aylmer yesterday reported that there was no change in the situation.