IN EGYPT.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 29 December 1916, Page 5

IN EGYPT.

SUEZ CANAL DEFENCES. GIGANTIC WORKS. Received 10.55. LONDON, Dee 28. Mr. Massey, the war correspondent, in describing the defence works at the Suez Canal, emphasises the permanency of the works as well as their enormous magnitude. The expanse has been heavy, and the work arduous, but the troops' stout hearts were o:ual to the task, and the money was well spent. The army has ci 'Jisel the desert, and the results will .louiain when the war -has become history. It was necessary to push the defences 'ar enough from the Canal to place it out of range of the heaviest modern artillery, consequently many pipe lines for water supply were laid down, and many roads and railways now link The Mediterranean with the Suez Gulf. One remarkable railway has the standard gauge, whereon the London and South-Western engines draw loads as heavy as any they drew in England, and do a two hundred miles out and home journey night and day to strict time-table. THE EL ARISH VICTORY. LONDON, Dec 27. The El Arish-Magdaba operations were conducted under the orders of Sir Philip C-hetwode. The victory was due to a masterly surprise stroke by a British force consisting of the Anzac Mounted Division under General Chau vel, the Imperial Camel Corps, the Australian naval bridging train and ■"■flrritorial artillery. They covered 20 miles of difficult, sandy ground, mostly at a rapid trot, in four hours. Portion of the El Arish garrison fell back o n a strong position at Maghdaba, consisting of several well situated redoubts. They did not anticipate the British would so soon be in action. Before daybreak, one redoubt was speedily demolished. Others were in a more difficult position and resisted longer, but the white flag was -hoisted at three o'clock in the afternoon. The British casualties were five officers and seven me u killed and seventeen officers and 117 men wound ed. The losses were insignificant considering the strength of the position. The light casualties were due to the skilful handling of the troops, the accuracy of the artillery fire, and the close co-operation of the aircraft. The present position menaces communications with railways. The remaining enemy garrisons in Sinai are therefore rapidly withdrawing further south. After crossing Mitla Pass, the British pushed on and burned the enemy camp at Sundr ed Heitan, 48 miles from Suez, also a camp to the eastward on the road towards Nakel,