TRANCPORT STRIKES MINE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CVI, Issue 16233, 31 March 1917, Page 10

TRANCPORT STRIKES MINE.

" BIRKENHEAD DRILL" AGAIN

HELP ARRIVES IN TfME

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn and Renter.)

LONDON, Mai oh 28. Ihe Press Bureau states that the transput Tyndarus, with a battalion of the Middlesex Rocmiout abo-rd struck a mine at 9.200ff Cape Aguhas (South Africa. 1 * .'n a strong south-easterly jrale. She.liegf-ji to settle immediately' after the explosion, the propellers "showing out of the water.

Tho men paraded in liei-fect order. The- roll was called and the order

' Stand cas.v" was given. The whole battalion broke into singing. : Two sto.am.eis that had been despatched to the rescue arrived within half an hour.

AUhough faced with the probability of imminent death, the troops maintained steadfast courage and discipline. The in'cidciit was in the vicinity ot whore the)-Birkenhead was lost. Thanks ,to the devotion and perseverance of tbe,~eaptam, officers, and engineers the ship was, saved and Icached Simonstown ,(noar Capetown), under hor own. steam. Her two holds were flooded and another -one was leaking. All the troops were landed. The King expressed his deep admiration of ail, ranks who thus upheld, the Birkerhead's? cherished tradition. -

• BATTLE NEAR GAZA. 2C.000 TURKS DEFEATED. GENERAL AND STAFF CAPTURED. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter.) LONDON. March. 29 An Etiypt official message stat"=: — AVe advanced fifteen raile* from Rafa to "Widizluiize, live miles southward of Gaza, for the purpose of covering Iho coii''t";iction of the railvav. We i'eavilv eiiKarred 2O : O0O of tlie enemy in this neighbourhood on Mcndav and Tuesday. On Tuesday, inflicting heavy losses, we took 900 prisoners, includ'usr the General Commanding and the Staff oT the Fifty-third Turkish Division. Four Austrian officers and thirty-two other Austi'o-Gevmans were captured, and two Austrian 4in. howitzers. All the troons behaved spendidly. especially fh" "Welsh, Kent, Sussex, Hereford. Middlesex, and Sin-rev veei.ments, Anzac M-onnteds and Yeomanry.