THE NEAR EAST.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14588, 15 December 1917, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST.

MESOPOTAMIA.

THE DIALA RIVER SUCCESS

(Australian and N Z. Cable Association)

London, Dec. 13 The ''Daily Telegraph," in a description of the recent Diala river fighv ing, states that we surprised and captured at dawn on December 3rd strong positions on tie Jebel Hamrin range* and Sakurl Itunpie Pass by a converging movement on the flank, and direct attacks. -

We took 174 prisoners and two field guns, -which * the Turkish gunners claimed were used in the defence of Galhpoh.

Following up this success, we, on the sth, drove out the enemy, who occupied an entrenched position on the hills northward of Gara Tappa. The enemy fought a stubborn rearguard action, withdrawing along the Mosul road. Fires observed at Kirrifii suggest that the coal mines were set on fire.