OPERATIONS IN EAST AFRICA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2492, 21 June 1915, Page 5

OPERATIONS IN EAST AFRICA

INVADERS DRIVEN BACK

(Rec. June 20, 6.20 p.m.)

London, Juno 18. , The Press Bureau summarises the ioporations in East Africa in March, (April, and May as follows:—

At the end of February information 'twas received that a German detachment of three hundred Askaris, including a considerable proportion of Europeans, under Captain Hexthausen, was marching northwards to invade British territory in the Karunga district, east Of Lake Victoria- Nyanza. A small force of the King's African Rifles, with artillery and mounted scouts, under Lieutenant-Colonol Hickson, was dispatched to meet them, and encountered them on March 9. Stiff fighting onBued. The Germans resisted bravely, and after several hours' fighting, often at close quarters, the enemy retired south of the Mara River, disorganised and demoralised. Our casualties were 12 killed and_l4 wounded. The enemy's losses in native troops aro helievod to have been lieavy. . On March 11 one of our armed steamers on tho Victoria Nyanza engaged the German vessel Muanza, drovo ner 'ashore, and disabled her. A detachmont of Indians and King's 'African ltifles attacked the German post at Salaita on March 26, and despite the arrival of reinforcements, tho enemy was driven off. Owing to the flight of native porters wo lost two machine-guns. Our casialties were 5 killed, 9 wounded, and 7 missing. Ail affair of patrols took place on 'April 11 near tho Nolstraesh River, when Major Walkor, of tho Punjabis, Was killed. Between May 9 and 22 two small expeditions were successfully carried out Ono was sent to clear the country south of Simbe, and the other to capture the steamor Sybil, which had been ■wrecked earlier on the Nyanza. Tho country for thirty miles south of Simbaenti was cleared, and the enemy retired across tho frontier. Tho Sybil was refloated and docked. Our casualties were 5 killed and 3 wounded. The onemy lost twenty. —('Times" ar.d Sydney "Sun" Services.)