THE KATIA BATTLE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLI, Issue 11646, 14 August 1916, Page 5

THE KATIA BATTLE.

FURTHER DETAILS. SPLENDID WORK BY THE TERRITORIALS. Reuter. Cairo, August 11. Details of the Katia light on the 4th show that early in the morning the Turks attacked Et Maler in force. Two regiments of Light Horse and New Zealanders were ordered to hold a ridge about a mile from Et Maler. They' .held the enemy for two hours, when they retired in accordance with our plan, the Turks attempting a flanking movement from the north-west, supported by heavy and accurate artillery lire. The enemy were gradually drawn on. The New 'Zealanders were ordered to assault Mount Royson, the key to the Turks’ flanking movement. This was successfully 7 accomplished and secured the British flank. An advance was ordered early cu the morning of the oth by two regiments of Light Horse and the New Zealand regiment, who charged dismounted over a thousand yards in the face of heavy rifle, machine,guu and artillery fire. The Turks stuck till the Anzacs were sixty yards distant. Then they bolted. The main body on that flank by 10 o’clock was in headlong flight towards Katia. Three Light Horse regiments, a Light Horse brigade, the New Zealand regiment, and the Yeomanry atacked the enemy’s®earguard, but the Turks had timeTo get cover. To en6ble them to break the enemy’s defence. The next morning the Territorials advanced and found that the Turks' bad evacuated the position.

WAR OFFICE REPORT,

HEAVY TURKISH CASUALTIES.

London, Aug. 11

The War Office reports: Our monntedson the 9th heavily pressed 6000 Turks, including a fresh regiment which was not engaged at Romani. Enemy hekl a line north and south through Birelahd, thenright resting on Bardaivill lagoon, and their left curving to the southeast. Their three counter-attacks were repulsed. A general counterattack ensued on the whole line. Our cavalry fell back slowly. We shelled large stacks of stores 'and convoys at 3000 yards. The Turks replied with six-inch howitzers. Their casualties were heavy. Our cavalry on the 10th remained in observation of the enemy, who retired to their entrenchments. British official: The Monnteds inflicted very heavy casualties on 6000 Turks in Birelahd district, on the Sinai frontier.

A CRUSHING TURKISH DEFEAT, PURSUING THE TURKS. Cairo, August 11. General Lawrence’s force put out of action more than one-third of the invaders. Those who escaped suffered a severe handling. The Territorials and Auzacs were delighted at participating in the crushing Turkish defeat. The Territorials pursuing beyond Oghratina undertook trying marches for long periods, fighting while crossing the heaviest sand belt of the Sinai peninsula in the fiercest heat. They were Jcompelled to carry all their water on thousands of camels, the caravan being stretched across the desert like veins in all directions. The Anzac Monnteds were enthusiastic over their work, as were the Territorials and horse artillery, especially the Scottisli battery, which supported magnificently in the hottest periods of the Romani fighting.

THE TURKISH REARGUARD. IN CONTACT WITH OUR CAVALRY. Reuter. Cairo, August 12. General Murray reports that our cavalry are in contact with the Tnrkish rearguard at Hodelhisba, northward of Birelabd, threatening the enemy line at various The enemy aro constantly employed in •removing their dead. TROOPS IN EXCELLENT SPIRITS. Cairo; August 12. The troops arejin excellent spirits. All traces of desert fatigue have disappeared. Of the wounded who have arrived in JjCairo, the proportion of serious cases is not high. Monitors did enormous execution during the battle. GBR MA N ,-s E V.UP t PEES SURPRISED. Turret ... London, -August 12. The German newspapeis- are completely surprised by the attemplod invasion of Egypt. They do not believe the reported smallness of the Tui'Kish forces and complain of the scantiness of the Turkish reports in not revealing whether a general •ffensive was intended. TURKS IN SYRIA Loudon, Aug 13. A traveller writes: “The Turkiticatiou of Syria is proceeding with Prussian thoronghhness. There have beeen many hangings.” THE VICTORY IN EGYPT. THE PURSUIT CONTINUING? London, August 13. The Egyptian official report states that still pursuing the Turkish rearguard.- The pursuit last night had driven the Turks to a position eastward of Birsalmana.