Egypt

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 30, 6 February 1915, Page 5

Egypt

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.

OPERATIONS AT THE CANAL.

United Bit ess Association. Cairo, February 5,

The official announcement sums up the' lighting thus: “The invasion of Egypt takes the form of Turkish prisoners being brought to Cairo. The report adds: “I'lie forces engaged were truly Imperial. The conduct of the troops was excellent.” Other accounts state that the In’kish (n fan try attacked Toussoum at 3 o’clock in the morning, during a sandstorm. They made a resolute attempts to cross the Canal, covered by Heavy .Maxim fire. The bombardment of Toussoum and Sorapcurn followed till daybreak, the Turks being prodigal with their ammunition, but their shooting was very bad

Fighting continued until 3.30, when the advanced British infantry from Serapum compelled the Turks to fly, leaving many dead on the desert b£low the sandhills east of the Canal. The warship Hardinge was twice hit by shells, ten being wounded. The British wounded included a, few of the Egyptian Field Artillery near Sera, peum. They behaved with splendid courage.

Two thousand Turks were discovered entrenched at the Ismailia ferry, 1800 yards in front of the British line. They kept up an intermittent lire every time the Turks attacked the British outposts at El Kantara, but in the early morning they were quickly driven off, losing 29 killed, 25 wounded, and 36 prisoners. A British officer and 28 Indians were killed and wounded.

The Turkish prisoners were marched through Cairo, roped together. Some were deserters, who belonged to the body of irregulars forcibly pressed from the Bedouins in Southern Palestine by Muntaz Pasha, Enver Bey’s aide-de-camp, who was imprisoned for murdering a brother officer at Salonika. Muntaz escaped, and became a highwayman in Palestine. He Is now leader of the Turkish advance guard. ■ Twelve thousand Turks participated in the Suez Canal fighting.

THE REPORTED CASUALTIES.

Lawrence, February 5

The Minister of Defence has received the following message from the assistant. Adjutant of the expeditionary force: “Following are the casualties :

Twelfth Nelson Company, Sergt. A. W. Williams, slightly wounded in the shoulder.

Private W. A. Ham, dangerously wounded in the neck.

Williams’ parents live in London, and Ham’s people belong to Motueka, Nelson.„ Mr Allen has sent a message to the latter’s parents, informing them of the nature of the casualty to their son. AUSTRALIAN ENGINEERS AT WORK. Melbourne, February 5. General Maxwell has cabled to Mr Pearce: “Australian engineers were employed in the defence of the Canal under fire. They comported themselves as you would wish.” BRITISH CAPTURES AND TURKISH CASUALTIES. 400 DEAD TURKS : 2400 CASUALTIES. (Received 8.-15 a.m.) Cairo, February 5. The British captured three machine guns, 90 camels laden with stores and ammunition, and 600 prisoners. The Turks abandoned 400 dead, their casualties being estimated at 2100. CAIRO IN WAR TIME,

Times and Sydney Sun Service, (Received 8 a.m.) London, February 5

The Times’ correspondent at Cairo says; There is no Egyptian'season this year. There are few tourists, no rich Americans taking part in the processions, dances and race meetings. Most of the hotels are closed, yet the city is animated enough, having been militarised by the war, at the time when the non-coms and men, especially the Colonials, have gathered at the two principal hotels. This was for a time at all hours, but latterly restrictions have been placed upon them. The conduct of the British and Australasian is admirable. One wonders why no British tea-rooms have

been opened, if only for the benefit of the Australasians, who are the teadrinkers par excellence.