A HARD TUSSLE

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1917, Page 2

A HARD TUSSLE

Won in Glorious Style

Loudon, Jan 16 Many of the enemy were concealed in rifle pits almost to the last.

The Mounteds moved out of El Arish at four in the afternoon of the 9t;h of Jan’, the horsemen giving the road to the guna and themselves travelling acroes country. It was heavy going nand and dune country for ten miles but thereafter the ground was harder and the progrers was so good that a long rest was given the horses at night.

Two hours before d*.wn the New Zealanders surrounded a large camp of Bedouins whose attitude wus unknown, disarming them.and preventing their participation in the action.

Thereafter the New Zealanders proceeded eastward of Rafa to attack the towQ)frora that side.

Two of the Ausna.ian Light Horae Brigade operated against the southeastern trenches, two miles from the town, thß C’mslry against the south and Yeomanry from the West, The Turks fought desperately, deep Entrenchments preventing rapid progress over the ground. There was not the slightest cover for us and we were 30 miles from the base.

It was necessary to redouble the efforts in the afternoon to finish the action before nightfall.

After bd intense bombardment at 3 o’clock, wherein the trenches were battered to pieces and two guns were silenced, the advance gave signs of success.

The approach of reinforcements was reported an hoar later, and while the Wellingtons were splendidly holding the enemy six times their strength, of the New Zealanders, who had occupied the town of Rafa, oaptnring the main trenches from the rear.

The Australians and Camelry entered the trenohea from the front, and the whole garrison remaining unwounded then surrendered.

Our casualties were astonishingly light considering the strength of the positioD, -which was wall placed with. maohine guns manned by German marksmen, whereof all were killed, wounded or captured.