ENEMY'S EGRESS BLOCKED.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14875, 25 September 1918, Page 5

ENEMY'S EGRESS BLOCKED.

BOXED IN WEST OF THE JORDAN

ALL TRANSPORT AND GUNS

CAPTURED,

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

(Received September 24*. 10.15 p.m.) Lomfon, Sept. 23.

The Turkish roads of escape are blocked at' Nazareth, Beisan, and Megaze, while the NaMus road is <kit at Ed Daze..- The Turkish force westward of th^ Jordan are therefore boxed in. There are still some who have not been taken prisoner, but they have ceased, to exist as a-fighting force, and; all the transport, guns, and rolling stock have been captured. r

The original estimate that there were 18,000 Turks westward of the Jordan referred to bayonet strength, and excluded artillery and machin? guns and other units. The total ration strength is 60,000, and the combatant strength

is 35,000,

A Turkish force westward of the Jordan, consisting of a rifle strength of between 6000 and 8000, and a ration strongth of 30,000, situated on' the line of the Hedjaz Railway, not yet. been dealt with.

FORTY THOUSAND SURROUNDED,

(Australian-N.Z. Cable Association.)

New York, Sept. 23

The Turkish Army in Palestine lias ceased to exist. The British" captured 25,O0^iTurks and 260 guns.

Jiat6i^4o,OOO> Turks were surrounded, and it is not believed they have any chance of escape.