TURKS LOSING HEAVILY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2467, 21 May 1915, Page 6

TURKS LOSING HEAVILY

STEADY PROGRESS OF ALLIES AMMUNITION WAGONS BLOWN UP LUCKY SHOT BY COLONIAL GUNNERS (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) London, May 19. The Press Bureau states: A communique reports that steady progress was made daily in the Dardanelles operations up to May 17, tho enemy losing very heavily. ' REPORTED CAPTURE OF KILID BAHR. (Rec. May 20, 11.10 p.m.) Athens, May 20. The newspapers state that the Allies have occupied ICilid Balir. The enemy's sharpshooters painted their faoos and hands green, in order that they might better conceal their positions in. the trees. A brief note on Kilid Balir may be of interest. These fortified-works are situated at the narrowest part of the Straits, on the European side, and constitute by far the strongest portion of. the Dardanelles. The shore literally bristles with redoubts, eleven in number, some hidden amongst the trees' y which cover the hills, and others dotted about right down to the water's 'jThe Yildig, or Tekeh Fort, a little to the south-west of Kilid Balir, is consideved one of the most important of the forts, and its height above the water gives ■it a greater field of fire. Tlie capture of tho hills in rear of Maidas and Kilid , JBahr would mean the cutting off of the water supply to many of the European : ,forts. Most of the forts are .open at tho back. . . HIGH COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. The High Commissioner reports:— , . London, May 10, 3.40 p.m. Cairo states: "Official.reports from the Dardanelles'announce that General Cox's Brigade repulsed with heavy loss an attack on his position on May 12. The following day a double company of-Ghurkas advanced over half a'mile. Tlie ground thus won was consolidated during the night, in spite of very strong counter-attacks. "On Sunday the Lancashire Territorial Division made considerable progress * (during the night, and on the following, night advanced further. "The samS day our howitzer ba,ttery, with'the aid of aeroplanes, blew ■up ammunition wagons of the Turkish heavy howitzers, and later made a direct hit with one of the guns from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. The enemy's trenohes and the new gun emplacement were demolished by howitzer firo. . Every'day see's" improvement in 'the Anglo-French position. The. enemy, ia .reported to have lost very heavily. ' THRILLING DUEL ON A CLIFF TOP " ; AUSTRALIAN'S DEATH GRAPPLE WITH A TURK. ' London, Mav 19. Reuter's-correspondent at Cairo reports that a..thrilling duel took place ' between an Australian and a Turk, who were equally matched, on top of a cliff at- Sari Bair. They first knocked the rifles out of'each other's hands. The (Australian, did not attempt to regain his weapon," but closed with the Turk, doping to throw him over the cliff. The frantic struggle was ..intensified as tho pair neared .the edge of the cliff. The Turk clung to his opponent, like grim' death, and both fell into the sea, where the Australian gained tho upper hand. He clutched the Turk by the throat, and hold 1 hiin under the water until he was drowned. The Australian is now in Cairo, severely wounded.

HOSPITAL PROBLEMS AT CAIRO AND ALEXANDRIA DIFFICULTIES DUE TO HEAVY. CASUALTIES OVERCOME. London, May 19. Renter's Cairo .correspondent says difficulties at the hospitals at Cairo and HJexandria, owing to the unexpectedly heavy casualties, have been overcome. The cheerfulness of the wounded men is remarkable. They have much trouble from.tho bites of mosquitoes,, and mosquito-nets are urgently needed. Many 'Australians have been accommodated at the Cezira Palace Hotel, formerly Ismail Pasha's Palace. ' NIGHT SCENES IN GALLIPOLI LANDING-PLACES HIVES OF INDUSTRY. London, May 19. Mr. Ashmead'Bartletfc adds:—"The Navy is working incessantly at the fjanding of troops animals, puns, stores, and ammunition, and at the same time down the enemy fire. Deep-iv.rt.er piers have been built and roads jfcnt. The work never stops. The Army and Navy show marvellous organisation, distinct yet co-operative; their work has been carried out with great difficulty. The enemy aircraft efforts to bomb warships and the crowded beaches exfoite derision. Ono shot blew up a gun caisson, killing a man and the horses. ' It is a wonderful scone at night—a southern night. The peninsular has fthe appearance of one of the world's greatest ports. There are masses of lights /m the seashor.s, like the lights of several towns, while at sea hundreds of gre.it [■transports and numerous warships lie packed outside the forbidding and still . 'Jdefiant Straits." —"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services. THE LOST AUSTRALIAN SUBMARINE AE2. Melbourne, May 20. "The Admiralty has supplied a. list of the crew of the Australian submarine [AE2, lost while attempting to enter the Sea of Marmora. At the time of her reported sinking by the Turks, the crelv numbered all told 32, in charges of [Lieutenant-Commander Stokes. (Reo. May 20, 8.50 p.m.) Melbourne, May 20. Referring to the loss of submarine A"E2, Senator Pearce (Federal Minister tof Defence) states that since the vessel came into the possession ofthG Commonwealth she had travelled a record distance of 30,000 miles. The operation in -n hich she had been lost was of a very daring character. " NAVAL OPERATIONS ON ASIA MINOR COAST. Athens, May 19. The Allies have bombarded Adalia and Halicarnassas, also Pheiiica, opposite Kastellorizo. [Adalia is on the south coast of Asia MinoT, in the gulf of the same name, Dorth-west of the island of Cyprus.] (Rec. May 20, 11.10 p.m.) Athens, May 20. Puring the bombardment of Adalia, 300 Greeks who were engaged in en'trenching were killed.