PALESTINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 December 1917, Page 2

PALESTINE.

PUSHING THE TURKS. I THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES/ . I (Reuter’s Telegram.) I LONDON December I Palestine Headquarters reports: o’e I forced back the Turks to the last line I they can occupy west of Jerusalem. I The hills around tho city are of high military value, because they command the approaches to Jerusalem, ■ some thousand' feet high on either side of the road, -which we hold. I They wore well supplied and could have held them for weeks yet. General Allenhy forced the Turks to* abandon them, without a blow, by continual outflanking . We are now up to the passes. struggle centres on a few places commanding the whole country. Some of these places are now ours. The fighting is strong and bitter; but our progress is quite satisfactory. Another wonderful feat is the turning of goat tracks into motor roads essential for supply; everything is being done with energy characterising the advance from the Gaza-Beersheba line. The British capture of the ridge between ‘Shilta and Elburi was a sterling piece of work which covered the Jaffa roads. Six hundred picked Turks held tho position; but the Lowlanders over-, whelmed thorn, killing a large number. Practically the whole Turkish battalion was wiped out. • Samuel’s Tomb is now a mass of ruins. HEBRON QCCfJ1 1 1ED. WELLINGTON, This The High Commissioner reports from London 7th. at 9.20. p.m. Palestine official—General Allenby reports that Hebron has been occupied.