STIFF FIGHTING.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15259, 22 December 1919, Page 5

STIFF FIGHTING.

A FIVE-MILE ADVANCE,

C&ustralian and N.Z. Cable Association.}

(Received Dec. 21, 5.5 j>.m.)

Allahabad, Dec. 20

Our forces have advanced five miles into the Mahsud country from Jandola since the 18th inst., capturing positions after stiff fighting. Twenty aeroplanes accompanied the column, hombing and machine-gunning the country ahead. The cliief surprise of the Mahsuds was our new 3.7 howitzer, which is a most compact and convenient gun. Much sniping is going on. We suffered casualties in attacks on Surkai Ridge.

The official communique reporting the failure of the negotiations states that considerable opposition is expected to our advance on Makin.