GALLANT DEFENCE OF ASSUAN.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15046, 14 April 1919, Page 5

GALLANT DEFENCE OF ASSUAN.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

London, April 5. Delated Cairo ■ messages record the story oPthe heroic defence of Assuan, from which the women and children were evacuated to Cairo. A garrison was constituted, and defended the area on March 20th, in which were collected British and foreign residents and refugees from Luxor. Bedouins temporarily improved the posts at Walladi. Two aeroplanes on the 25th assisted in the defence^ with machine guns.

Meanwhile a relief force fought their way by^ steamer to Deruit to assist. They dispersed snipers on the banks, landed under fire, and immediately restored order. Aeroplanes thereupon dropped leaflets signed by Egyptian notables in the aifected districts, appealing to the native leaders to maintain order.