NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2439, 19 April 1915, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION

REPORT FROM GENERAL GODLEY "DEMEANOUR AND BEARING OF OUR MEN MOST SATISFACTORY." An account of tho fighting in which the New Zealand forces under his command were engaged against the Turks at the beginning of February has been received by the Minister of Defence from Major-General Sir Alexander Godley. Determined attempts, General Godley reports, were made to cross the canal near Tusum, which resulted in severe fighting. A few of the .enemy managed to cross, but nearly all were accounted for the same day, and the remainder were rounded up 'the following day. ' At daylight the enemy were found close to the post, and thoir guns opened on both Tusum and Serapeum. Our ships' guns and artillery engaged the enemy, who, after a certain amount of fighting, including an advance from Serapeum, retired, leaving many dead and nearly 300 prisoners. At Ismailia Ferry tile enemy were found entrenching about half a mile east from the pest at daylight, and two battalions opened fire soon after, but no regular attack was made. Intermittent shelling continued during tho day, large numbers being fired, many of which exploded in our camp. The shipping detained in Lake Timsah was under fire, and suffered slight damage, but no loss of life. ' Shell-fire also took place at El Ferdam, where some slight damage was done, but/no casualties occurred. At Kantara 'the outposts were attacked at 5 a.m., buc the enemy were driven off without loss, and later in the day a partial attack was made from the southeast, but the enemy were stopped 1200 yards from the position. Military casualties during the day were: British officers —Killed 1, wounded 4. British Tndian, and Egyptian R. and F. —Killed 17, wounded 79. The enemy along the Canal at all points attacked appear to number in all some i 2,000 men, and at least six batteries. One 6in. gun was also located; it is thought to have been silenced. Some 150 of the enemy were still entrenched on the Canal bank one and a half miles south of Tusuin. They were rounded up by troops from Serapeum, after having treacherously fired on our_ men, though they had raised the white flag and made signs of surrender. The demeanour and bearing of our men in tho trenches and going out of them were most satisfactory. Over 500 of the enemy were buried by our troops, and 652 are prisoners in our hands. It is calculated that, oh a basis of three wounded to one killed, the enemy must have suffered a loss of at least 1500 wounded, making total casualties of between 2500 and 3000. The enemy is now in retreat all along the line.