CAPTURE OF JERICHO.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1918, Page 1

CAPTURE OF JERICHO.

particulars of success. MR MASSEY'S ACCOUNT. [can mass association. —copyright.] LONDON February 22. Mr Massey, wiring, from Palestine Headquarters on the 21st says that General Allenhy’s (army has driven the Turks’from strong positions east of Jerusalem, the London troops capturing all commanding positions overlooking the southern side of the Jordan Valley. The Australian and New Zealand Mounteds are entering Jericho.

The enemy entrenched in a series of hills, were attacked by IheLondon infantry on Tuesday and yesterday on a twelve miles front. The enemy were defeated everywhere, and suffered heavy losses.

The country was extremely difficult with its mass of lulls, valleys, kloofs, dongas, and worn,’ rock-faced hills. In one place, Wade Earn, there is a perpendicular cliff-side, five hundred feet high ; hut the infantry routed out the enemy from trenches cut and blasted on the ridge, and the spurs of the mountain ranges, showing great gallantry. On Tuesday at dawn they attacked the line of about twenty thousand yards in some places.

The Turks retreated during the artillery bombardment in the centre, /ind one battalion had assaulted three times before winning the system of trenches

Oddumm is the “Good Samaritan Inn,” and remains. Crusader Hill is known to the Arabs as “The Hill of iHlood.” T saw the Londoners carry the lull in splendid style early, after the most .accurate artillery fire; but the enemy hold on stubbornly at Ektciff, whose southern face is as precautions as Gibraltar. Marching during the night, the troops’ great difficulties were the rough ground, and one column took nearly eight hours to cover slightly over three miles. In some places the men walked in single file, i

The enemy were cleared off Ekteiff in the afternoon;’meanwhile the Anzacs moved through desperately hard country, threatening the enemy’s rear and were held up foir considerable time in a defile through which only two men could pass abreast. The Turks were bringing several' guns to hear on .this point; but by nightfall we occupied all the positions commanding the southern Jordan Valley. The Turks .hurriedly retired and Anssacs made a irapid march this morning entering Jericho at eight,

The Turks burnt the stores on the northern, shores of the Dead Sea.

Our operations will retard, if not entirely prevent an important source of grain supply for tlio Turkish forces. THE OFFICIAL REPORT. LONDON February 22. Palestine official.—Our forces advancing on Thursday morning encountered small opposition. The Australian Mounteds entered Jericho, and established themselves on the line of the Jordan from Wadiduja. The weather was bad, and the casualties on Wednesday were slight. We extended our positions -north and north west of Jerusalem.

ALLENBY’S SAFE POSITION. f "RKUTEIt’s” TELEGRAM.] . LONDON February 22. Jtputor is authoritatively informed that- the British advance on the Jordan will greatly help in establishing touch with the Arabs, thereby greatly encouraging the Allies. General ARpnby’s position is nowwell defined. The right (lank rests on the Dead Sea, with the left on the Mediterranean; hence a frontal attackalone is possible for the enemy. We control the Dead Sea, and have access to the rich lands on the eastern side, and menace the railway to Damascus. Ahead are easier country and better roads. \

ENEMY’S RETIREMENT. f AUSTRALIAN &. N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] LONDON February 23. Palestine official: —'file enemy from Jericho retired northwards to Waididiija', leaving the posts on the right ground on the left, hank. They also retired eastward across the Jordan, holding the bridgehead at Elghoraniye.

iSET-P.A OK AOKNOWL EDGED. TAUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION & REUTER.] ■ f ADMIRALTY PER W'IIELESS PRESS, j (Received This Day at 9.1 b a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 24. Turkish Official. —We were unable to repulse all the enemy’s attacks in Palestine, and consequently took up previously appointed positions.