Egypt

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 29, 5 February 1915, Page 5

Egypt

<» Our Boys at tha Frsnt. BAPTISM OF FIRE. NEW ZEALAND INFAW7RY UNDER FIRE AT SUEZ. TWO CASUALTIES REPORTED. United Press Association. (Received 12.30 p.m.) London, February 4. Mr Maxwell cabled to the Hon. Thomas Mackenzie, that the New Zealand infantry were under fire on the Suez Canal, and earned the good opinion of all. There were two casualties. WEDNESDAY'S OPERATIONS TURKS REPULSED WITH HEAVY LOSSES. FIFTEEN BRITISHERS KILLED. (Received 1.10 p.m.) London, February 4.

Turkish rafts attempted to cross the Canal at Toussoun on Wednesday, but were repulsed with heavy losses, 282 being taken prisoners. Two British officers and thirteen men were killed, and fifty-eight wounded. The enemy were repulsed at Kantara, twenty-one being killed and many wounded. FAILURE TO CROSS CANAL. TURKS RETIRE ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. PARTICULARS OF KANTARA ATTACK. (Received 1.25 p.m.) Cairo, February 4. The enemy advanced upon Toussoun at daybreak on Wednesday. Their artillery bombarded Toussoun and Serapeum. Our artillery and also the ships in the Canal replied. The enemy, failing to cross the Canal, retired at three o'clock in the afternoon.

The casualties included eight officers killed. Six batteries and 1200 Turks participated in the attack on Kantara, 25 being taken prisoners. FIGHTING ON THE CANAL. Cairo, February 3. The British met the enemy in the vicinity of.Tsmaillia on Tuesday. The enemy's ardour was checked by a sandstorm'. Their shooting was bad, and eventually they retreated. Six British were wounded. The Turks on' Tuesday night attempted to bridge the Suez Canal at Toussoun. The enemy was allowed to bring his material to the bank of the Canal. Then the British attacked, and were completely successful. The Turks fled in disorder, abandoning all their material. Several were drowned. An attack on El Kantara at daylight on Wednesday was easily repulsed. Sixteen were killed and wounded, and forty taken prisoners. The British had three wounded.

Prisoners from Kantara present a miserable appearance, many being barefooted. They have created a great and salutary impression on the Egyptian population. MOTLEY CREW OF DESERTERS. Times and Syjdney Sun Service. London, February 4. ' The first Turkish deserters to reach Cairo are actually cabmen, peasants, and professional beggars, who were swept up by the Turkish and German recruiters, though not Ottoman subjects, but British. French, Italian, and Moslems.

A Swiss who has returned from Jerusalem states that the preparations for the expedition to Egypt are on an enormous scale. Vast sums have been spent in provisions for the desert march. The soldiers show scanty enthusiasm for the adventure, and the bulk of the Mussulmans would welcome peace. TRAFFIC ON CANAL UNAFFECTED GREAT DIFFICULTIES OF TURKISH TRANSPORT. (Received 8.40 a.m.) Cairo, ebruary 4. The fighting has not affected the traffic in the Canal and on the railways. There was heavy firing on Wednesday, and the pilot of a vessel was wounded. Great difficulties are being experienced by the Turkish transport. Many camels are dying, and others are being brought up from Asia Minor. It is stated that General Kressenstein is among the invaders. The 250 prisoners at Kantara look more like ragamuffins than soldier.s.

TURKS RESUME THE ATTACK. (Received 8.40 a.m.) London, • February 1. 1 The Evening News' Cairo correspondent says that the Turks resumed the attack on Wednesday, bringing up ammunition and trying to construct trenches.