THE ATTACK ON THE CANAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2858, 24 August 1916, Page 5

THE ATTACK ON THE CANAL

HIGH PRAISE FOR OUR TROOPS

. His Excellency _ the Governor has received the following telegram from Sir Archibald Murray, Commander-in-Chief of tho Egyptian Expeditionary Force, dated Suez, August 21: — "Now that operations aro definitely closed, tho following summary is forwarded:—'A Turkish force of about 18,000, all arms, which approached our positions in the northern section of the Suez Canal defences during the end of July, was kept under continuous observation by the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, and was skilfully drawn on to an attack in force upon our main defensive position. A cavalry retirement on night of August 5 and 4 led tho enemy to attempt an attack on our right roar. When tho onemy's loft flank was well involved we counter-attacked with all arms with decisive results. .Tho enemy was driven hack with very heavy losses and forced to retire, fighting rearguard actionr. every day, till ha could finally disengage from our mounted troops. "So persistent wore tho Australian and Neiv Zealand mounted troops that to save his stores at Bir el Bad, the cnem.v was compelled to countor-at-tack in force on August 0, suffering very heavy losses—in round numbers': Prisoners (wounded and unwounded), 49 officers and 3900 men; enomy killed and buried, 1250; estimated enemy Rounded, 4000; making the enemy's total estimated casualties over 9000. Our casualties were: Killed, 22 officers, 180 men; wounded, 81 officers, 801 men; missinp, 1 officer, 45 men. One Krupp mounted battery complete, 9 German macllfnc-gunsand ammunition, 1,000,000 rounds S.A.A. and a largo quantity of stores and equipment were captured in addition.

"During the whole of these operations the brunt of tho figiiting fell on the Australian and New Zealand Mounted Division, under General Shauve"l! This division finely upheld tho traditions of tho Commonwealth and Dominion troops. It fought with great steadfastness, gallantry, and untiring energy throughout. Its commander and all his men havo every right to be proud of their achievements, and have tho satisfaction of knowing that for each one of their casualties they accounted for about ten of the enemy. I wish to place on record my warm appreciation of the services of the Commonwealth and Dominion troops"