ON ANCIENT MIZPAH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 53, 26 November 1917, Page 5

ON ANCIENT MIZPAH

PALESTINE TROOPS STORM

HISTORIC GROUND

TURKS STUBBORNLY BUT SLOWLY RETIRING

BRITISH PLUCK AGAIN

(Rec. Novomber 25, 5.5 p.m.)

London, November 23. An official report from Palestine states: "Wo stormed on Wednesday the Nebisamwil Ridge, which is the site of the ancient Mizpah. Five thousand yards westward of the Jerusalcm-Ablus road. We beat off repeated counterattacks. Tho enemy bombarded the mosque containing the traditional tomb of the Prophot Samuel, which we carofuljy avoided. Our mounted troops, which approached Beitunia on Wednesday, were forced back by a. strong counterattack. We aro now holding Beiturefoka. The weather is bright, but cold. Monday's successful action westward of Euryet-el-Enat was duo to tho gallantry of the Somerset, Wiltshire, and Gurkha regimonts."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutor.

ADVANCE WORKING EASTWARD

(Rec. November 25, 5.5 p.m.)

London, November 23

Mr. W. T. Mnssey reports from Palestine: "Tho sceno of fighting gets further eastward of Ramleh daily. VVe are driving the Turk-is out of the hill country by peTsistont attacks. The situation is most encouraging, though tho enemy iB stubbornly resisting, barely retiring until hard'pressed. Our West Countrymen with the bayonet charged to dislodge him from nooks and crannies, but the Turks have managed to get his guns into a position which will retard us somewhat. Although _ the country is difficult, the cavalry is always threatening the enomy's flanks. The conditions here are depressing. The fighting men try to get some sleep in cheerless bivouacs, while the supply troops work unceasingly getting food and 6tores through slippery mud amid violent rainstorms and piercing winds which follow warm days."—Aus-.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ENEMY COUNCIL OF WAR ON PALESTINE FALKENHAYN MAY RETIRE. Amsterdam, Novembor 23.' A wireless message states that Von Mackonsen will confer with tho Kaiser at Berlin to-morrow regarding possible aid to the Turks in Palestino. Liman von Sanders has already conferred with tho Kaiser. The Kaiser _ will shortly preside over a AVar Council, to which Von Hindcnburg and Von Ludentlorff have been summoned. _ Von TFalkenhayn will probably retire.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn'. • . .

THE FIGHTING AT RAMLEH

"UP, LADS, AND AT 'EMI"

Cairo, November 23

Rcutor's correspondent, describing tho operations at Ramleh, said that there was little opposition until the troops had gone to within some four miles from Ramleh, when two fresh Turkish battalions came into action, and counter-attacked with much determination. They got within fifteen yards of tho Now Zealand mounted troops, who were dismounted, and had been advancing on foot. The Turks paid dearly for their tom ; erity. It was a caso of "Up, lads, and at '"em." The Auckland and AVellington Rifles, on foot, charged with tho bayonet, and practically wiped out tho Turkish force. Over 400 dead were counted before our lines. It was a case, where strength and skill meet their reward. Tho Turks were utterly routed, and very few survivors continued their way to their supports near Ramleh.

It was too late for the A'nzncs to push on, but noxt morning ihoy entered Ramleh without opposition. We captured 300 prisoners at Lydda and a largo amount of war material, tho enemy bavins; hurriedly retired during the night. On the following day Jaffa was entered by the Anzacs.

It is gratifying to know that in all these operations, extending over a fortnight of almost daily fighting, our losses were comparatively small, especially in the case of the animals, which suffered very much less than was feared would ho'the case.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

ENEMY EXPECTS TO LOSE JERUSALEM

Amsterdam, November 23,

The "Norddeutscho Allgcrneino Zeitung" (Berlin) forecasts the abandonment of Jerusalem, and says the loss will be of no military importance.— Reuter. CALL ON TURRETS MAN POWER (Rec. November 35, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 23. Advices from Constantinople state that the mobilisation has been ordered of all Ottoman between the ages of forty-eight and fifty-seven.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FIGHTING NORTH OF ADEN NEWS PROM ALITTLE-HEARD-OP FRONT. (Ree. November 25, 5.5 p.m.) Aden, November 23. . Official—"Wo captured a Turkish post at Jalior, fifteen miles north of Aden. Losses wore inflicted on the enemy and his defences destroyed."— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

LONG-DISTANCE AIR RAID ON CONSTANTINOPLE

London, November 23. The Admiralty reports: "A successful raid in tho vicinity of Constantinople was carried out in July by a British bombing aeroplane of the Hand-loy-Pago type, which flew from England to the Mediterranean • base in eight stages. Occasionally strong winds and rainstorms were met with. One stretch of 200 miles was entirely river mountainous country. Tho total flight was 2000 miles. The aviators wero thirty-one hours in the air."— A.us.-N,Z, Cable A.ssn.-Reuter.

THE ROUND-UP IN EAST AFRICA GALLANT ACTION AGAINST SUPERIOR FORCE. London, November 23. An official report from East Africa states:—"We nave entered Simbas, Kungari Valley, and Newala. A small force gallantly engaged a superior enemy force _ south-west of Liwalc. In those operations wo took prisoner 183 Germans and 192 Askaris.—Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.-Reuter.

BRITISH PRISONERS IN TURKEY QUESTION OF EXCHANGE TO BE DISCUSSED.. (Roc. November 25, 5.5 p.m.) London, November 23. In tbo Houso of Commons, Mr. J. F. Hope (Treasury) stated that an AngloTurkish conference will bo held shortly regarding the exchango of prison, ore. Moanwhilo the Turks bad consented to a Netherlands diplomatist visiting the internment camps and ascertaining tho prisoners' winter clothing requirements. "We shall," Mr. Hope added, "demand at the Berne conference facilities for inspection and reports on prisoners' 'camps."—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn.