PALESTINE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 December 1917, Page 3

PALESTINE.

A FURTHER. ADA'ANQK. (United Service Telegrams). LONDON December 29. Palstine official,: After repelling several determined attacks at I’aseltawil [northward of .Jerusalem, and eastward of Birnebaa, and five miles norh-wost of Jerusalem we attacked on the right flank and gained ground, on the eastward and north-east. We penetrated to a depth of two and a half miles on a nine-mile front. The enemy's losses were severe. Some Germans were taken prisoner. HEAVY TURKISH ATTACK. •SQUASHED 15Y BRITISH. Received, this day at 8 45 a.m. LONDON December 29.

Palestine Headquarters reports on Friday Turks attacked a line east, north and north-west of Jerusalem in considerable strength aiid great determination, on Wednesday night. V ho. iher they thought' that Christmas festivities would cause a relaxing of vigilance or That the ihelement weather imd reduced the fighting strength, their reception must speedily have undeceived tliOlll.

Tlie Welsh and London troops were guarding the sectors attacked and in tile absence of a: Boxing Day pantomime took their entertainment out of the Turks, who soon had cause to rue their temerity.

Everywhere they were driven bad with severest losses.

the line ADVANCED. ON NINE MILE FRONT. LONDON, December 29. The Irish troops and dismounted yeomanry attacking the Lurks on the right Hank advanced our line to a depth, of two and a half miles on a nine mile front. The attack wa.s conducted with great gallantry, and greatly improves our position on the left, and must make tho Turks south of Bires Raismallah positions feel exceedingly uncomfortable.

The living corps did good work, participating in flying, bombing, and machine gunning the enemy’s rear. The aviators also made things unpleasant for the Turkish craft on the Dead Sea, its navigation being practically at a standstill. POSTED BACK. f AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION it REUTER.]

(Received This Dav at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 30. Palestine official.—We drove hack the enemy yesterday from their advanced line, a depth of two miles on a thirteen mile front. This ha s given us the high ; ground at Rasarkerbesiniffer, lour miles from Jerusalem and a mile northward of Jericho Road, Anata Errnm, i and Kulundia, the two latter eastward and westward of Nablin Road, live I miles northward of Jerusalem -and Bu- ; tania.