THE BRITISH DRIVE IN PALESTINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 45, 16 November 1917, Page 5

THE BRITISH DRIVE IN PALESTINE

BIG SWEEP FORWARD

TURKS DRIVEN BACK SEVEN MILES

(Kec. November 15, 7.45 p.m.) London, November 14. A high military authority reports that General Allenby has driven the Turks back a distance of seven miles to tho ' Brsok Kodron, covering Jaffa and ilio railway junction towards Jerusalem. Ono of our c?.\alry divisions captured 1100 prisoners, two guns, and 11 uiachineguhs, bringing tho total number of prisoners up to about 7000. Tho enemy's force was very roughly handled, and lost about half its effectives. Its reinforcements can only como from Allepo from tho forco widen von Falkcnliayn is preparing for his operations against Bag-dad.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Awn. LATEST REPORT FROM GENERAL ALLENBY EIGHT MILES FROH JAFFA. (Rec. November 16, 1.20 a.m.) London, November 15. General Allenby reports: "Tho Turks, attempting to take up a new position twelve miles northward of Ascalon, were driven, after severe fighting, five miles fo trie Wadi Surar, eight miles southward of Jaffa, Oor troops, showing magnificent dash, captured slTongly-ontrench-ed posts at Mesmyes, Katran, and Mughar, and now hold a lino from El linen througK Katrali Yehna, to the sea. — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter. RELENTLESS PRESSURE ON THE TURKS ENEMY FORCED TO ABANDON WADI SUKEREIR LINE. (Rec. November 15, 11.15 p.m.) London, November 14. Mr. W. T. Slassey, lelegraphing from Gaza on November 12, states that General Allenby's pressure, exerted without a inoment'6 pause, caused tho Turks to lose part of the Wadi Sukereir_ line along which they had been digging eagerly for two days. They had thirteen thousand men entrenched behind tho banks of the Wadi Sukereir. These wadis aTO substantial obstacles. Tho banks are steep, and it is necessary to build ramps before tho torrent-torn water-courses are made passable for guns. The troops are in wonderful condition, in spite of their fifty miles march. The cavalry is now before the Wadi Surar (Samson's birthplace). Wo are coming across great quantities of Turkish 1 ammunition. One division captured seventy wagons, which tho Turks had made no effort to destroy—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. DESTROYER AND MONITOR TORPEDOED (Rec. Novomber IG, 1.20 a.m.) London, November 15. The Admiralty reports: "A submarino sank a British destroyer and a small monitor which were co-operating with tie army in Palestine. Seven men ore missing from tho destroyer and 26 from the monitor."—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.Reuter.