CAPTURE OF KUT.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 February 1917, Page 2

CAPTURE OF KUT.

Also 1,730 Prisoners

Wellington, Feb 27 The High Commissioner reports, London 26th, at 5.20 p.m.: From Mesopotamia—As a result of recent operations, the whole of the enemy positions from Sannaiyat to Kut-el-amara are secured, Kut itself, passing automatically into our hands,. In two days’ fighting 1,730 prisoners, four field guns, ten maohjp' guns, and a large quantity of rifles' ftnd ammunition were captured.

Particulars of SuGf ess> (Received Feb 27, &f -q 5 a m j jndon, Feb 26 Mesopotamia o^ cial __ Barly on Saturday we car /tured the ridge across the neck of f jfaamuh Pen i nSQ l a . It became evil?' dQt the enemy were in fall rat foa |. ; n (; be rec »i o n of Baghailah, weg tward of Kut-el-amara. my Turkish depots and stores w ra afire. A strong fores of cavalry and infantry were heavily engaged all day, inflicting severe casualties. In the meantime we pursued our successes at Sannaiyat and captured the tifth Turkish line, the Nakhailat ana Suwada positions aad reached the Attab Marsh and Majisis line. The aeroplanes co-operated with invaluable bombing and machine gunning at minimum altitudes. We prieonared iu two days 1,630. Tho whole of the enemy’s positions from Sannaiyat to Kut e; Amura were thus e9cured, Kut paseing automatically into our hands. The full Turkish losses are yet unknown.

Kut Success Admitted

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association and Renter.)

London, Feb 26

A Turkish communique admits the evacuation of Kut according to the pre-arranged plan, and in order to efieot a junction with reinforcement!?.