FIGHTING IN MESOPOTAMIA

Hokitika Guardian, 9 October 1917, Page 2

FIGHTING IN MESOPOTAMIA

THE BRITISH VICTORY,

TURKISH FORCE SURROUNDED

fAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION

LONDON, October 7

Mr. Edmund Chandler, describing General Maude’s victory at Ramadilyoh on September 29th. save:—The British moved two columns from the right and left from the Euphrates camp attacking Mishain ridge at dawn. Tho first objective was to clear the ridge across tho Tlabbaniyeh Canal.

The first knolls were quickly occupied, the canal dam affording a crossing. "When the ridge was bombarded we found that the Turks had evacuated it. As soon as the infantry had carried the ridge the cavalry made a wide detour till they

were astififda the AJ/eppo road, cornering tho Turks who had no bridge and were cut off from row. forcements and supplies. The Turks counter-attacked at dawn on September 30th and tried to escape between the cavalry and the river. Tho action continued for two hours. A small detachment of Turkish cavalry swam the river. Meanwhile the infa'ntry stormed the ridge, exposed to machine-gun and rifle fire from the front and right. They were infiladed bv the artillery from the left-. The British and Indians hung on, digging themselves in.

Our second infantry columns seized tho Agiziya bridge, trapping the Turks between the two canals, the cavalry preventing tlieir retreat, (funs and pompoms from tho river barges attacked our infantry until the reply fire from our guns sank them.

'An intense bombardment of the enemy was maintained until the Turk 6 walked forward with white flags hung out. The whole force surrendered in a body.