COMPLETE TURKISH DEFEAT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 160, 10 August 1916, Page 6

COMPLETE TURKISH DEFEAT.

BRITISH VICTORY AT KATIA. FINE WORK BY N.Z. MOUNTEDS. LONDON, August 8. Mr Gerald Massey, writing from El Romani on the 7th, says: Sunset yesterday witnessed the Turks’ pretensions for the conquest of Egypt irretrievably smashed. The latest attempt at an invasion was more severely beaten than in February, despite German leadership and more scientific methods. Besides the Anzacs, the troops taking a prominent part were the Scottish, Lancashires, Territorials, Warwicks Gloucesters and Yeomanry. We held the line Mahamadiya—Romani— Katia—Gannit, and the latter, with three hundred feet of sandbags, made an excellent observation post. Three miles to the west was Wellington Ridge, which the Turks energetically attempted to reach. Two miles south was Mount Meredith and Mount Royston, three miles west-north-west, on which the enemy managed to get a footing during the afternoon.

The chose what seemed the easiest path towards the Canal. It was an undulating', sandy plain, flanked by sand dunes. The Turkish divisions strongly held a north to south line through the Katia oasis, about seven miles long, with flanks thrown westward. The Scottish infantry were stationed from El Romani to the Mediterranean coast. The Anzacs, in front or them, fought for an hour before daylight with great steadiness and determination against a. well-handled enemy in superior numbers, yielding ground gradually till Major-General Lawrence could reinforce his line by more cavalry and infantry. The brunt of the fighting was borne by the Anzac mounted troops, consisting of Australian Light Horse and New Zealand Mounted Rifles. These magnificent horsemen had been anxious to follow their comrades, but they remained in Egypt because they were ideal troops for work in front of our defences. They acquitted themselves spendidly. They had ittle rest for more than a week, keeping in touch with the enemy, pushing* back patrols, and reconnoitring the country, where the wily enemy largely outnumbered the Australasians. They were well led, the men displaying a high degree of military intelligence and courage.

The enemy attack on the Romane Gannit began at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, but the Light Horse and Scottish Territorials drove the Turks back towards Abuhambra with heavy loss. Meanwhile a Lancashire regiment had been brought through by rail, and marched to the attack ankle deep in s'and. The Warwickshires and Yeomanry, following the infantry attacked at 5 o’clock, dismounted Yeomanry co-op-erating towards Mount Ripon. Ou.guns belaboured the Turks, but rifles and machine guns inflicted very heavy casualties. Nothing withstood us. We cleared Royston and Wellington Ridge and Mount Meredith, making prisoners of a thousand here and scattering! the remainder over the desert. < The I pursuit of the Turks began at daylight. It remains to be seen whether the Turks will attempt to hold the trenches. Whatever happens, Egypt is safer from invasion than at any time during the war. The results abundantly justified General Murray’s policy or making the Turks fight far from the Canal, as the waterway traffic was nor stopped for a single minute. ANOTHER SUBMARINE CRIME. GENOA, August 7. Eighteen survivors of the Siena have arrived. The vessel was bombarded by a submarine carrying the Austrian flag. Incendiary shells were used, and a fire was started. Six boots were lowered. Three were smash-

ed. The others are missing. The papers are indignant at callous neutrals not protesting against the outrage.