Mesopotamia

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 31, 12 January 1916, Page 5

Mesopotamia

ON THE BANK? OF THE TJCRI3AN IMPORTANT VICTORY. United JPkbbb AattooiAiiu* London, January 10. In the House of Commons, Mi Chamberlain suited that there had icen heavy fighting oil both hanks o. /he Tigris. On January 7 General Campbell's column on the right hank carried positions, capturing two guns and 700 priloners. I M,

General Aylnier, on the leftifjbjank; .vas opposed by three Turkish' ,divi: s'i'ons. General Aylmer was delayed h die enemy trying to outflank him, hut anally the Turks fled.

General Nixon returns to England >n account of ill-health. The Turks finally fled.

The victory is regarded as most important. The principal fighting occupied (the Tigris banks for three miles jelow: Sheikhshad. General Kem gait's column, which was adjacent, was ilso operating against the enemy. On January 9 General Aylmer reported that the enemy were retreating ind that he was pursuing, but that heavy rain was hindering the pursuit. The enemy has fallen back on Orah.

TURKISH REINFORCEMENTS. Rome, January 11. It is believed that the Mesopotamia expedition, which the Turks arc large, v reinforcing, is replacing that igainst Egypt, which the Germans' low consider to be premature.

Amsterdam, January 10. A German wireless states: We surround Kut-el-Amara and expect to capture it by assault or starve out the English garrison of ten thousand.

ALLIES ALERT AT SALONIKA.

Paris, January 10. Le Temps says that aviators" patrol ;he Salonika lines, ready to signal the .lightest movement. The Austro-Ger-nans are over-estimated, whilst the Bulgarians lost heavily in Serbia, and ,t is impossible for them to pay the enormous cost that will be involved in taking Salonika. The railway is destroyed and the roads are impassable. The Anglo-French morale is wonderful. BOMBARDMENT OF SOFIA. Athens, January 10. A dispatch from Salonika states that a flotilla of French aeroplanes bombed Sofia, causing considerable damage. There was indescribable panic among the inhabitants. POSITION OF THE MONTE-

NEGRINS'.

Cettinje, January 10. A communique admits that the snemy occupied Turiak and we withdrew to Lesnitza. We repulsed a violent attack at Ipek Rugovo.

TOWNSHEND'S FORCE ISOLATED

NO DEFINITE BRITISH SUCCESSEC. (Received 8.15 a.m.) London, January 11. Newspapers point out that General Townsheud at Kut-el-Amara is &urrounded, and has only heliographie and wireless communication with tho main force. Apparently, the Turks are still in superior numbers, and there %have been no definite British successes. RELIEVING FORCE ON THE MARCH. WITHIN 50 MILES OF BELEAGUERED GARRISON. (Received 8.15 a.m.) London, January 11. Generals Aylraer and Kemball 'left Aligerbi, which is a hundred mile;-; south-east of Kut-el-Amara. on the 6th inst. in an endeavour to relieve General Townshend. General Aylmer has made good progress, having reached Sheikhshad, which is half way to Kut-el-Amara.