IN PALESTINE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 44, Issue 134036, 2 January 1918, Page 5

IN PALESTINE.

ANOTHER BRITISH SUCCESS.

(A. and N.Z.C.A. and Renter.) LONDON, Tuesday. Official: We occupied Beitin (tho ancient Bethel), El Balua, a mile north of Biieli, Khelburi, west, of El Balua, Janiah and Raskcrker, six and seven miles respectively north-west of Birch. The operations on Friday and Saturday led to a serious defeat of the enemy . The latter, on Thursday, with German assistance, determinedly attempted to retake Jerusalem.

He prcsaei his attacks with vigour, continuing from 2 o'clock on the morning of Thursday for 26 hours. General Allenby immediately counterattacked on the Turkish west flank and progressed two and a half miles in very difficult country. Seeing on Friday that the Turkish attack was spent, we made a general advance, our troops on the Nablus road advancing to the north and those on their left to the eastward, and drove back the enemy. We gained seven miles of ground, securing on the north-west' four strong positions between the enemy and Jerusalem instead of one.

The Turkish casualties were heavy, tho killed alone being estimated at 1000. Six hundred prisoners have been counted and 20 machine guns.