THE SYRIAN CAMPAIGN

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 13 January 1917, Page 5

THE SYRIAN CAMPAIGN

TURKS BADLY DEFEATED. LONDON, Jan. 11. The Rofa victory was due to the same masterly surprise as Magdaba. The Anzacs, yeomanry and cavalry participated. That such a strong position was captured in twelve hours testifies to the magnificent fighting powers of the troops and the skill of the commanders. It was the thirty-first Turkish regiment that suffered refeat. It was composed entirely of Turkish regulars. Two hundred Turks were buried. In addition 1(100 wounded and 163 wounded prisoners were taken. These include the Turkish commander and 29 officers and some German officers and non-coms. The British losses were: Officers, 3 killed and 41 wounded. Men, (58 killed and 354. wounded.

BRILLIANT DASH OVERWHELMS TURKS.

LONDON, Jan. 12. Mr Massey, the war corespondent, in a cable from El Arish, says the brilliant dash of the Camel Corps and Mounteds on Tuesday, cleared out the Turks completely from Sinai after two years. The Australians, New Zealanders and Imperial troops quickly followed up their victory at Maghdaba by a rapid night march, reaching Kara, a coast town, 30 miles from El Arish. Tile garrison of 2300 was overwhelmed.* The fighting began at dawn. A relief force approaching from the north-east in the "afternoon was intercepted, and withdrew finally to a strong position, but surrendered at » o'clock. Our casualties were light. The Magdaba and Kal'a actions resulted in 3000 prisoners. The swift strokes will have a great moral effect. Our mounted troops covered a great radius of action. They are in a high condition of training, and have not given the enemy a chance to escape. Their desert experience and mobility thoroughly surprised the enemy.

IN MESOPOTAMIA

EURTHER BRITISH SUCCESS. LONDON, Jan, 12. Mesopotamia Official. —We captured on Wednesday the majority of the trenches at the loop north-east of Kut. Many enemy corpses were found.