Egypt

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 9, 9 August 1916, Page 5

Egypt

THE CATTLE OF ROMANI.

TURKISH INVASION SMASHED.

Press Association—Copyright Published in “The Times.”

London, August 8

Mr W. T. Massey, writing from Romani on August 7, states that at sunset yesterday he witnessed the Turks’ pretensions to a conquest of Egypt irretrievably smashed. The latest attempt at invasion was more severely beaten than that in February, despite German leadership and more scientific methods. Besides the Anzacs, troops taking a prominent part were the Scottish, Lancashire Territorials, Warwicks and Gloucestershire Yeomanry. We held the line from Mahmadizn, Romani, Katia, and Gannit. At the latter place, three hundred teet of sandbags afford'd an excellent observation post. Tinea miles 'vest the Wellington ridge, which the Turks energetically attempted to reach two miles south was Mount Meredith. Mount Poyston lay three miles west-north-west, upon which the enemy managed to get a footing in the afternoon, choosing what seemed to be the easiest path towards the canal. This was an undulating, sandy plain, flanked by sand dunes. Turkish divisions strongly held the north to south line through the Katia oasis, about seven miles long, with their Hanks thrown to the westward. The Scottish infantry were stationed from Romani to the Mediterranean coast. The Anzacs, in front of them, fought for an hour before daylight with great steadiness and determination against a well-handled enemy rtf superior numbers. The Anzacs yielded ground gradually till Major-General Lawrence could reinforce the line with more cavalry and infantry. The brunt of the fighting was borne by the Anzac mounted troops, consisting of the Australian Light Horse and Now Zealand Mounted Rillos. These magnificent horsemen had been anxious to follow their comrades, but remained in Egypt because it was an ideal place lor troops to work in front of our defences.

The Anzacs acquitted themselves splendidly, and had little rest for more than a week, keeping in touch with the enemy, pushing back patrols and reconnoitring the country where the wily enemy was largely outnumbered by the Australasians. They were well led by men displaying a high degree of military intelligence and courage.

The enemy attack on Romani and Gannit began at three o’clock in the afternoon, but the Light Horse and Scottish Territorials drove the Turks back towards Abuhamra with heavy losses. Meanwhile, the Lancashiio regiment had been brought by rail ana marched to the attack ankle deep in .sand. The Warwickshire’s Yeomanry were also out, following the infant; \, who were attacked at five o’clock, flio Yeomanry dismounted co-operat-ing towards Mount Eipton. Our guns belabored the Turks, but the rifles and machine-guns inflicted the heaviest casualties. Nothing withstood us. We soon cleared Royston, Wellington ridge, and Mount Meredith, taking 1000 prisoners here, and scattering the remainder over the desert. The pursuit of the Turks began at daylight, and it remains to be seen whether the Turks will attempt to hold their trenches. Whatever happens, Egypt is safer •from invasion now than at any time during the war. The results arc abundantly justifying General - Murray’s policy of making the Turk, 1 - fight far from the canal, as the waterway traffic has not been stopped « single minute.

THE TURKISH COMMANDERS.

Cairo, August 8

Moura Bey commanded the Turk? in the recent attack, a German officer and Franz Pasha, assisting.

clearing the battlefield.

■' rpj ie High Commissioner reports ■ London, August 8 (1 P-i«.) The War Office reports from Fgyp. state • Mounted British troops came in contact with the Turkish rearguard ix miles eastward of Katia, wluc i ■he enemy had entrenched, and are (ginning to advance. _ The work oi 'baring the battlefield is proceeding -,Var material wasi brought.in. 'nlndred of the enemy dead were bured in the area. There was a counterattack on Friday. An aeroplane bombed Portrait! and tuez, but the damage was little, and here were only slight casualties.