THE ATTACK ON ZAZA.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1917, Page 2

THE ATTACK ON ZAZA.

A Brilliant Affair. [LONDON TIMES 6EBVICB.—COPYBIGHT.] ’ " T ™ >«>£' (Received April 7, at 6.45 a.m,) London, April 6^ The Times correspondent, Mr Massey, states near Zaza, on 27th March, a swift movement characteristic of the Egyptian Expeditionary Forces, surprised the enemy at foggy dawn on the great Zaza Plain. The fog prevented the development of the attack until the morning, which was deeply unfortunate because the capture of Zaza depended on speed, Turkish reinforcements being within 15 miles. Another two hours of daylight could have meant the fall of the city. The battlefield was separated from ( the Bea by two miles of sandhills wherein the Turks were entrenched in a perfect labyrinth of deep tiencheeand redoubts cn skilfully eeleotedV'sites. Toe garrison consisted of eleven Tuikic,L regiments, with Austrian gunners. The country was intersected with nullahs and wide precipitous cracks. Cavalry crossed the Wade Qaayza for enveloping movements. Its banks were 40 feet high and perpendicular. The Anzaos Yeomanry and horse batteries cut the banks and bnilt ramparts. All the movements during the fog were done by the compass. Afterwards it was soon seen that tbe enemy reinforcements of cavalry | were coming from a base at d ullea hills and Beersheba. The artillery preparation seemed to lift up the eeotions of trenches, and then the infantry marched to the attack taking advantage of every scrap of cover. The Welsh Territorials engaged in hand to fighting in a bewilder*

ingmaze of trenches, conquered thei'r tenacious opponents at evening. Meanwhile a portion of the Auzaca Yeomanry were ordered to close in from the north east to assist the infantry. The Anzaca began taking tranches at sunset. The Naw Z inlanders got to close quarters and had desperate fighting until the closs approach of the enemy’s reinforcements necessitated the cavalry’d withdrawal, they being between two fire*.