MESOPOTAMIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16229, 27 March 1917, Page 7

MESOPOTAMIA.

CROSSING THE DIALA. AGAINST TERRIBLE FUSILADE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Received /5.5 p.m., March 26 fch. LONDON, March 25. . Sir Candler, telegraphing from Baghdad, gives a vivid narrative of the midnight battle to secure the crossing of Diala river:—After the Turks bad destroyed the bridge we pushed on along the left bank, sending cavalry and two columns of infantry to wort round on the right bank and enter Baighciad from tho west.> The column attacking the Diala had to force ing where the element of surprise was eliminated, since the old ; bridgehead site was chosen. When the first pontoon- was lowered over the ramp the whole of the launching party was shot "down in a. few seconds in the bright moonlight, by Turks who had concentrated machine guns and rifles ill houses on opposite bank, The second pontoon reached the middle of the stream and then the whole crew _ was killed owing to the terrible fusilade. Xhe third" pontoon was almost across when it was bombed and sank. Ihen crew after crew pushed off to certain death, and pen toons drifted down the Tigris past the British camp, with freights of dead. After the failure of the bridgehead passage the order to attempt at a second crossing . was cancelled. _An attempt- was made on the second night with equal gallantly, and this time a bombardment preceded the. attack. The barrage raised such a dust that it formed a curtain behind which, ten ftoats crossed. Succeeding crossing parties were exterminated when the curtain lifted; but a footing had been secured. One pontoon drifted back and a. sergeant called for volunteers to gather in the wounded. All the twelve ■ volunteers were killed., Sixty Lancashire men who were now established on the opposite shore commenced bombarding along the bank, though heavily pressed by the Turks on both flanks.' Fortunately the, Landiscovered, a break in the river bend which formed a half moon, on the landward side protected by *a neighbouring grove of mulberries, and palms.' Here tho sixty Lancashires held out through the night and all' next day and next night, against repeated determined attacks.. The Turks once reached the top of the parapet', but though the garrison was now reduced to'forty they j drove back the attackers. The garrison was'reduced to almost the last clip of cartridges and a single bomb, when the British crossing was completed. Finally the cavalry and two infantry columns threatened- to cut off the Tuijks, who hurriedly retreated. RUSSIANS ADVANqiNG. ! (Australian and N.'Z. Cable Assn. •and Router .S ■Received, 8.50 p.m., March 26th. Russian official —On the 18th in the direction of Klianikih (Persian "border) we dislodged Turks near the village! of Harim and Serimlkerind Pass. Wei attacked on the 19th a /Turkish position near Miantag. «