IN PALESTINE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 176, 15 April 1918, Page 5

IN PALESTINE

TURKISH ATTACKS REPULSED WITH SUBSTANTIAL LOSSES London, April 12. The Turin; have launched en offensive against the British in Palestine on the const Beotor—iud.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Km. April 11, 5,5 p.m.) London, April 12. A Palestine official report! states: "Jn all <lay fighting on the coastal sector on Wednesday Hie Turks and Germ'nns penetrated our advanced positions in the direction of Berukin Elkefr, but were ejected. Wo advanced our lines at several points and inflicted substantial losses. A Turkish attack on tho east bank of tlie Jordan, in the vicinity of El Ghoraniyoh, on Thursday, brolw with heavy losses under our artillerj. Our mounted men pursued the retreating enemy to within a short distance of Shunot Nimrin. An attack astride tho JerichoNablus Road, westward of the Jordan, was also repulsed."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Reutor. THREE DAYSMIARI) FIGHTING GERMAN AND TURKISH TO.OOPS FORCED BACK. Cairo, April 12. Mr. W. T. Massey writes from Palestine on Thursday: For three days there lias been hard fighting in the foothills oast of tho Plain of Sharon. The Turks have been reinforced by German battalions and by Turkish troops from Mesopotamia. .Despite the fact that the enemy was fighting from prepared defences and had strong artillery support, lie has l)een forced back several thousand yards, and lost ridges of hills and somo important villages. As some Germans are serving in the ranks of Turkish battalions, it is suggested that the enemy considers tho Turks, after six months consistent defeat, require stiffening, the attack began at dawn on April 9, and was delivered in tho west country by Indian troops from the line en the Wadi Ballut, a wide watercourse now dry, with verv steep banks. Wo rapidly gained ground, capturing German and Turkish prisoners. Tho villages of Rafat and El Knfr remained in ou.r hands. Repeated counter-attacks failed, with heavy losses. At Berunkin Hill (2200 ft.) there was stout fighting till 3.30, when we captured it. The enemy was holding up the advance with many machine guns, hidden between tho boulders. A counterattack delivered south cf the village was broken u,p by the artillery just as it was getting dark. The enemy strongly attacked from a ridgo to tho west but was driven off with heavy loss. All the cround gained was held during the night. On April 10 we made, further progress. In (lie evening the enemy gathered under tho banks of the Wadi 'Leslu.m, counterattacked through an olive grove . and got into our line. Wo rapidly collected a forco and drove out these Germans and Turks inflicting numerous casualties. Those who succeeded in getting away retired over the ridge. A number of counter-attacks elsewhere were, easily repulsed. The country is very difficult there being no Cablo AaSll.