TURKISH ATTACK IN THE CANAL ZONE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2849, 14 August 1916, Page 5

TURKISH ATTACK IN THE CANAL ZONE

A CRUSHING DEFEAT ~ . ANZACS AND TERRITORIALS DO THE WORK Australian-New Zealand Cablo Association. •' ! (Rec. August 12, 6.30 p.m.) , ' Cairo, August 11. General Lawrence's force put out of action more than one-third of the invaders, and those who escaped suffered, a severe handling. The Territories and Anzacs are delighted at participating in tho crushing Turkish defeat. The Territorials in 1 pursuing the enomy beyond Oghratina, undertook trying marches, and for long periods were fighting and crossing the heaviestsand bolt on the Sinai Peninsula in the fiercest heat. They were compelled , to carry all the water for thousands 'by camel caravan, which stretchcd in the desert like veins in all directions. The Anzac Mounteds are enthusiastic over the work of the Territorial Horse Artillery, especially the Scottish battery, which supported them magnificently during tho hottest periods of the Roinani figh excellent spirits, and all traces of the desert fatiguo have disappeared. Tho wounded have arrived at Cairo. The proportion of serious cases is not high. The monitors did enormous execution during tho battle. . BRILLIANT WORK BY NEW ZEALAND MOUNTEDS. (Eeuter's Telegram.) (Rec. August 12, 6.30 p.m.) Cairo, August 11. Details of the Katia figlit show that on the 4th, early in the morning, the Turks attacked Etmaler in force. Two regiments of Light Horse and the New Zealanders were ordered to a ridge about a mile from Etmaler, and they held the enomy for two hours, when they retired in accordance with the plan. The Turks were attempting a flanking movement from the north-west, and were 1 supported by heavy and accurate artillery fire. Tile enemy was gradually drawn on, and tho New Zealanders were ordered jo assault Monutroy6ton. the key of the Turks' -flanking movement. This was successfully accomplished, and secured the British flank. An advance wag ordered early on the morning of the sth to ho made by two regimonts of Light Horse, and. a New Zealand regiment, who chargcd, dismounted, over a thousand .yards m tho face of heavy rifle, machine-gun, and artillery fare. TV. Turks stuck till the Anzacs were sixty yards distant, and then bolted, lhe main body on that Hank by 10 o'clock was in headlong flight towards Katia. Three Light Hor ? e regiments, a Light Horse brigade, and a New Zca and. regiment, and leomanry attacked the enemy's rearguard, but the Turks had time to got cover, and we were unable to break the enemy's defence Next mornmg the Territorials advanced and found the Turks had evacuated the position. SIX THOUSAND TURKS HEAVILY TRESSED. Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. August 12, 8.10 p.m.) London, August 11. The AVar Office reports: Our mounteds on the 9th heavily pressed six thousand Turks, including a fresli regiment, which was not engaged at Romani. Tlie enemy hold a line north and south through Birolabd, their right resting on Bardaivill lagoon and their left curving south-east. Their three counter-attacks were repulsed. A general counter-attack ensued along the whole line, and our cavalry fell back slowly. We shelled large stacks of stores and convoys at tvro thousand yards. The Turks replied with bin. Jhowitzers. Their casualties were heavy. Our cavalry ©n the 10th. regained in observation of fhe who retired to his entrcnohments. <

IN TOUCH WITH THE TURKISH REARGUARD. ; j

y (Eeuter's Telegram.) . " j (Bco. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) v*j Cairo, August 12. s General Murray reports: The cavalry is in contact with the Turkish rear- j guard at Hodelhisha, northward of Birelabd, and are threatening the enemy line at various points. The oncmy is constantly employed removing S tho dead. " i j The High Commissioner reports:— "' : M r ■- . j ' '\ .' London, August, 12, 6.5 p.m. \ ; Egypt official: Wo aro in touch with the enemy's rear-guard at Hodel- > hislia, north of Birelabd. The enemy's casualties were very heavy, a. con- i siderable number of dead Turks were found on the Birelabd front. . j GERMAN PRESS COMPLETELY SURPRISED 1 : ("The Times.") (Rec. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) j. London, August 12. - -1 ihe German Press is completely surprised at tho attempted invasion 0., j Egypt, and do not believe the smallnoss of tho Turkish forces. They oonw . rj plain of the scantiness of the Turkish reports not revealing whether a general ; offensive is intended. • . ••• '' ' .. : j -TURKISH OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL COMMUNIQUES. j 'Australian-New ZeaJand Gable Association. , j (Rec. August 13, 5.5 p.m.) ,' -j Amsterdam, August 12. i ! Au unofficial Turkish communique admits that .the British captured part' j ■ of the Turkish left wing in the region of El Kantara, and that .the Turks -later, i repulsed a strong British attack, inflicting heavy losses, after which the Turks i retired eastward of Katia. _ . ~ ' 1 An official commumguo 6ays prisoners state that an enemy cavalry; ' S regiment was almost annihilated, all the offioers being killed. j .