IN MESOPOTAMIA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2960, 26 December 1916, Page 5

IN MESOPOTAMIA

RECENT ADVANCE OF THE BRITISH (Roc. December 24, 5.5 p.m.) ! ■ London, December 22. ftlr. Candler, British war correspontelegraphing from tho banks of onatt-el-Hai, on December 17, says: We advanced on the night of the' 13th across perfectly flat country, with no landmarks. The advance was carried out. without a hitch, and the iiifantry and cavalry reached their, objective at the exact time. The infantry crossed at three fords near, A tab at dawn, and iirii. C - aValry lower down tlle stream. Within an hour the pioneers were building camps. The enemy outposts were dispersed, and two pontoon bridges erected. 1 The Shatt-el-Hai is a hitflJen river bordered by low scrub; the fords are numerous but treacherous, and some transport carts were caught in the quicksands. The Turks held the position until the cavalry were within 200 yards, and then they were driven out. Tlio main • body of the cavalry rushed the Shumran bridge nine miles from Kut, while the infantry advanced and consolidated the ground gained. Our losses on the day were inconsiderable. Aeroplanes by moonlight flew over Kut and 1 bombed a bridge, which was being towed in sections and scattered the pontoons. The Turks were unable to transport troops except by feiTying. During the 15th we advanced to within three-quarters of a milo'of lie Tigris south-east of Kut. Oh the 16th we dispersed a considerable force of Turkish irregulars advancing on the western bank of the Shatt-el-Hai. The troops are in high spirits owing to the mow after so lone a halt. We oan see the people in Kut upon the roofs of the houses, and we could reduce the place to a, heap of mud and bricks if we liked. The weather throughout has beon most favourable.—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn. j