PALESTINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1917, Page 1

PALESTINE.

ANCTENT MIZPAH. WELLINGTON, This D.»v. Th© High Commissioner reports from London 2-l.th, at 3 p.m. Palestine official—Nebisami \el ridge the site of Ancient Mizpah, has been captured. Repented counter- attacks were driven off. The enemy bombarded the —osquo containing the traditional tomb of the Prophet Samuel, which we had carefully avoided

AROUND RAMLEH. NEW ZEALANDERS’ PART. (Reuter’s Telegram.) CAIRO, November 23. A correspondent describing operations around Rninloh, says:—There wn s little opposition until four miles from Ramleh, when two fresh Turkish battalions came into action and counterattacked with much determinntoin getting within fifteen yards of the New Zealand mounted troops who were dismounted and had been advancing on foot. The. Turks plaid dearly for their temerity and it was a case of “Up, lads and at them!’’ The Auckland and Wellington Rifles charged with the bayonet, and practically wiped out the Turkish force. Over four hundred dead were counted before our lines. It was a case where strength and skill met their reward. The Turks wore (utterly Touted, and Very few survivors continued thetir way to the supports near Ramleh. It was too late for the Anzacs to push on; hut next morning they entered Ramleh without oppositon. and captured 300 prisoners at Lyddn, with largo amount of war material, the enemy having hurriedly retired during the night. The following day Jaffa was entered bv tbe Anzacs. (

In all these operations, extending over a fortnight, it is gratifying to know that our losses were comparatively small, especially in the case of animals which were very much less than was feared . NEAR, JERUSALEM. (Reuter’s Telegram.) LONDON November 23. The “Norddcutsche Ollmemul Zeitung, forecasts the abandonment of Jerusalem; but says the loss is of no military importance.

DRIVING THE TURKS

LONDON, Nov. 23

Mr. Massey reports from Palestine that the scene of the lighting gets further eastward of Ramleh daily. We are driving the Turks out of the hill country by persistent attacks.

Tho situation is most encouraging, though the enemy is stubbornly resisting. and barely retiring until bard pressed. The West Countrymen gallantly bayonet charged to dislodge him from nooks and crannies. The l urks retarded us somewhat although the country ivn’s difficult the cavalry were always threatening tho enemy’s flanks. The conditions am depressing and the fighting men are tired; they sleep in cheerless bivouacs while supply troops worked unceasingly getting food and stores through the slippery mud amid rainstorms and piercing winds following a warm day.

FURTHER CAPTURES. LONDON November 23. Palestine official: —We stormed on Wednesday Kebisamwil Ridge, which is the site of the ancient Mizpah. Five thousands yards westward of tho Jer.usalem-'Ablus road we beat off repeated counter-attacks. The enemy bombarded the mosque containing tho traditional tomb of the Prophet Samuel which we carefully avoided. Our mounted's which approached Beimumiia on Wednesday were forced back by strong ,e,ounter-aHtaeks. Wo are now holding Beiturefoka. The weather is bright and cold. Monday's successful operations westward of Euryelenat was due to the gallantry of the Somerset, Wiltshire and G'urka regiments.