FIGHTING IN EGYPT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14205, 6 February 1915, Page 5

FIGHTING IN EGYPT.

ATTACK ON SUEZ CANAL

12,000 TURKS ENGAGED.

(Electric Telegraph-—Press Association .—Copyright.)

CAIRO, Friday.

An official announcement sums up the fighting in Egypt thus: —"The invasion of Egypt has taken the form of Turkish prisoners being brought to Cairo." It adds: "The forces engaged were truly Imperial. The conduct of the troops was excellent." Prom other accounts it is gathered that the Turkish infantry attacked Toussoum at 3 o'clock in the morning during a sandstorm. A resolute attempt to cross the canal was covered by a heavy maxim fire, and the bombardment of Toussoum and Serapeum followed at daybreak. The Turkish were prodigal of ammunition, but th dr shooting was very bad. The fighting continued until 3.50, when the advance of the British infantry from Serapeum compelled the Turks to fly, leaving many dead in the desert below the sandhills east of the canal.

The -warship Hardinge was twice hit by shells, and ten of her crew -were wounded. The British wounded deluded a few Egyptian field artillery, near Scrapeum, who behaved wi;h splendid courage. Two thousand Turks were discovered entrenched at the Ismailia ferry, SOO yards in front of the British line. There was an intermittent fire all the time. The Turks attacked the British outposts at El Kantara early in the morning, but were quickly driven off, leaving 29 killed, 25 wounded, and 36 prisoners. One British officer and 28 Indians were killed and wounded. The Turkish prisoners were marched through the streets of Cairo, roped together. Some of the deserters belonged to a body of irregulars, who were forcibly impressed from the Bedouins in Southern Palestine by Muntaz Pasha,"Enver Bey's former aide-de-cimp, who was impriosned for murdering a brother officer at Salonica. Muntaz Pasha escaped and became a highwayman in Palestine. He is now the- leader of the Turkish advance °"XlclXCl ° " LONDON, Friday. Twelve thousand Turks participated in the canal fighting.