THE NEAR EAST.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14656, 9 March 1918, Page 5

THE NEAR EAST.

CAMPAICN IN PALESTINE.

CONSTANT BRITISH PRESSURE,

(Australian and N Z. Cable Association)

Cairo, March 7

Mr W. T. ' Massey reports from Palestine Headquarters, under date March 6th 3 that during the past week the Turks lave had much ,to think about on various sections of the line. Hardly a day passed without the enem> being compelled to yield positions of value. ' : The most -impertant of our advances were north and west of Birch. Three days ago, when the Home Counties troops made a strong attack on both sides of Nablus road on a 12-mile front, they pushed back the enemy one and a half miles. This operation'in _ hilly country, taken in conjunction with the capture of Jericho and the high ground west thereof,' gives us immensely strong .lines around Jerusalem. In continuation of the line westward, tEe Irish troops forced the Turks from broken country, while an enterprise by South-Western County soldiers in the foothills was fully rewarded by the ground gained. One night the Indians rushed .a 400----feet hill and completely surprised the Turkish garrison. Our aerial supremacy is maintained, thougb the German aviators show signs of more activity, but they pay dearly for it. In the last two days we made long flights over the Dead Sea to harass ""enemy communications with Hediaz

We dropped many bombs on Katra,m station and op.ttw and aerodromes west of Kerak. Excellent results were observed. .

Yfisfcpvclny we bombed a station south of Katrani. ■

CABLE NEWS.

[Press Association.—^Copteiqht.]