TURKS IN FULL RETREAT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 41, 12 November 1917, Page 5

TURKS IN FULL RETREAT

HARRIED BY OUR AIR

HAWKS

OVER FORTY GUNS CAPTURED

GOOD WORK BY THE WARSHIPS

(Ilec. November 11, 5,5 p.m.) London, November 9. An official dispatch from Egypt states: The whola Turkish army is retreating northwards, bombed along tho way by British aeroplanes. Tiio onoiuy upou our right is retiring on tho Hebron. W'e nave hampered his retreat, capturing prisoners and transport. Our mounted men, advansing through Jemameh and Huj, thirteen and nino miles respectively oastward of Gaza, reached the south bank of Wodi Ho6i, which is twelve ■piles northward of the, old Turkish front, and thus established contact with our forces that were advancing from Gaza. Tho latter forces captured tho north bank and mouth of tho Wadi Hesi. and Herbies, reaching the railway, ana turning the enemy's prepared position on this wadi. Wo also captured the Turkish coastal railhead at Beitli Lahm, and pursuing the enemy in the direction of Wadi Hesi, capturod over forty guns. The British naval force, assisted by the French, actively co-openlted throughout, bembarding tho enomv's communications near the coast and affording other valuable assistance."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter.

RAPID ADVANCE OF THE MOUNTED MEN

OVER. SEVENTY GUNS CAPTURED, (licc. November 11, II p.m.) London, November 11. An official report l'rom Egypt states: "Our mounted troops, advancing rapidly, captured another four hundred men, with ten gun 6. Our line now runs in a southeasterly direction from two miles northward of Haniaiueh to two miles northward of Arakol Meushye, on tho central railway, generally from ten to six inilcs northward of Wadi Hessi. We have ocoupied Aslcalon. Our aeroplauefi continue to bomb bodies of retreating Turks, and all important centres of communication,, dropping three hundred bombs during a. day. The captured guns now number over seventy, of which Several are 5.9'5. General Allenby estimates that tho enemy's casualties aro 10,000, exclusive of prisoners.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable A6sn.-Ecuter. TEE ATTACK ON GAZA. London, November 9. Mr. W. T. Jlassey writes: "Tho attask on Gaza was launched at midnight, from two sides, accompanied by intenso artillery fire. Tho British troops who routed the enemy on Aliniuntar Hill entered tha town at daybreak. Others advanced from the sea 6ide, and from tho north, and the cavalry pursued Iho disorganised enemy. Irish troops captured Harlra, formerly tho centre of tho Turkish Gaza-Beershoba line. "Tho comparatively slight resistance at Gaza. was duo to tho grand 1 success of tha previous day's battle on tho right, whero enormous booty was taken. Tho capturo of Gaza, with its treniondoinly strong works, was thus accomplished by first smashing the eastern lino of iefences, threatening Gaza on the flank. Our losses •were comparatively eilght."—Aus.-N.Z. Gable Assn.

TURKISH DEFEATS ADMITTED IN GERMANY

(Itec. November 11, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 10. Tho "Kolnische. Volks' Zeitung'-' admits the /Turkish defeats, and adds: "Tho British Ships were sighted off Ascalon, preparing to land forces, but the Turkish A'Nny had taken' tho necessary -taea-sures."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.