EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1916, Page 5

EGYPT.

SUEZ CANAL. DEFENCES IMPREGNABLE. Time 3 and Sydney Sun Services. London, March 12. Mr. Massey, the Daily Telegraph correspondent, is doubtful whether any part of the European battle-front is so safe as the Canal. Britain has made a vast expenditure of money and labor to secure the freedom of the waterway connecting the seas of the east and west, but no citizens of Britain or the dominions will grudge it. Unless the enemy makes similar arrangements he cannot bring an army numerically equal to ours to the Canal nor remain there two days because of lack of water. Mr Massey was much impressed by the enthusiastic labor of the troops in preparing the lines. The division wa3 composed of veterans who had proved their courage in the stern days of Gallipoli. Some remained on duty longer than the state of their health warranted, because they wished to impress upon the reinforcements how vital it was that the younger nations should show Britain that their stock was true. These men left Gallipoli ill with jaundice and other forms of sickness, and for three weeks recuperated in the desert and made ready for fresh trials, THEIR BAPTISM OF FIRE. SOUTH AFRICANS IN BATTLE. Alexandria, March 12. The South Africans had their first fight in Egypt on February 20 at Agagia. After four days' march westward from Mersa Mam aircraft reported a considerable body of the enemy with Turco-Gorman officers. The South Africans, in face of fierce shelling, led the way over undulating ridges with little cover. The men were dropping right and left, but none wavered, and they valiantly advanced with short rushes and drove out the enemy precipitately.