IN MESOPOTAMIA

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 163, 30 March 1918, Page 8

IN MESOPOTAMIA

TURKISH FORCE IN HIT AREA DESTROYED .3000 PRISONERS TAKEN The High Commissioner reports:— London, March 28, 6 run. A Mesopotamia official report states: —"North-eastwards' of Hit we have captured Khan and Bagdadieh, capturing or destroying virtually the eiitiro Turkish force there." (Rec. March 29, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 2n. The entire Turkish force was destroyed in the Hit siren, Mesopotamia. Three thousand prisoners were tnkt-ii. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MANY GUNS AND RIFLES CAPTURED BRITISH CASUALTIES VERY SLIGHT. (Rec. March 29, 11.15 p.m.) London, March 28. Mesopotamia official:—"We carried out on March 26 a highly successful operation on the Euphrates, northwest of Hit, leading to the capture or destruction of virtually the , entire Turkish force in that area. We early ill the morning attacked positions about Khan Bagdadieh, 22 miles north-west of Hit, our cavalry making a wide movement around the Turkish right, establishing itself astride' the Aleppo Road in the enemy's rear. By nightfall the main positions wore carried by assault, and ihe enemy's main body, in attempting to break north-westward, was intercepted by our cavalry and repulsed with heavy losses. Prisoners so far reported number 3000, including the divisional commander and 200 other Turkish officers, a Gorman officer, and a few German non-commissioned officers. Our captures included ten guns, 2000 rifles, and many machine-guns. The remaining fugitives were pursued beyond Hadiiha, 45 miles to the northwest of Hit. Our casualties were very slight."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.Reuter.