THE CAPTURE OF BEERSHEBA.

Taihape Daily Times, 7 November 1917, Page 6

THE CAPTURE OF BEERSHEBA.

A GKEAT BLOW STBUCK. ( LONDON, November 5. Mr Massey, in a stirring despatch, describes General Allenby's surprise blow which, smashed the eastern end of the Turkish line and wrested Beersheba from the enemy, There was stern righting all day, wherein New Zealand and Australian Mounteds and British infantry displayed" great endurance and courage, doing everything as planned, so that the staff scheme soemed to go like clockwork. The story of the clay will add glory to the lads from English cities and shires and from Australia and New Zealand. The splendid horsemen and British infantry after long night marches, attacked with such determination that they tore down entanglements with their hands. Then, as the moon rose over Judea HilH, the Australian ' r Horse dashed, at the strongly-held trenenes, and captured the town at dawn on October 31. The Australians and New Zealanders wore south of Beersheba, the British infantry facing the northern, western and south-western defences which were cut in a range hiding Beersheba from elaborate, skilfully chosen and heavily view. The Turkish entrenchment's were protected Wire and guns covered all approaches. Prisoners declare that they believed Beersheba to be impregnable. General Allenby's astonishing success in concealing his march across the desert was the outstanding reason of the success. The movement commenced iwith a cayalry scrap on the '27th, when 300 (Turks with twelvie guns/ attacked a British cavalry screen occupying high ground the Jeru-salcm-Beersheba railway. The British squadron held out the day. . Both flanks were enveloped, but though surrounded on three sides, they beat two determined cavalry charges" When the British infantry arrived, they were able to occupy the ground without fighting. The. British infantry marched at night and were hidden at day time in wady beds. On the night of the 30th-31st, the Australians and New Zealanders made a wide, rapid sweep to the south-west in oruer to xush at dawn and get astride the Hebron road to prevent a Turkish retirement. The infantry attacked Hill 1070 and succeeded, by an irresistible rush, within half an hour, to get through the German machine gun section, and occupied the Hill. The infantry then pressed on the Wady Sara trenches, making rushes across the open, not heeding enfilading guns and " spasmodic machine-gun fire. Bombers dashed wherever our artillery broke the wire. Elsewhere the Britishers "tore the wire from the iron supports with their- hands. It was grand work, the English county men showing inspiring courage and resource. Though fighting for twelve hours, they captured one defence after another until all the Beersheba stronghold was captured by 9.30. Many Australians and New Zealanders rode thirty miles before getting into action,, Their work was as meritorious as that of the Britishers. They first captured Sakaty, a high hill six miles north-east of Beersheba, dominating a wide district. - With their usnal lean, these big Australians' stopped at nothing. They rounded up every Turk on Sakaty hill by 1 o'clock in the afternoon. They then captured the Hebron road. Even more difficult was the taking of Sel-el-Saba a foothill three miles east j»f Betersheba, which had been converted into redoubt of great strength,, and made almost unapproachable by the steep banks of the wady running alonside .But the New Zealanders carried- 11} by 3.30. Then they turned their attention to a group of houses between the hill and the Hebron road, held by German machine gunners. These felt the full weight of the colonial arm. It was getting dark, and there was anxiety about water for the horses Other Australians settled matters, Mr. Massey, in says:' — the eastern trenches with fixed bayoThe Australians formed up against nets, and, charging Jine Jaflter went for the enemy. Before the last we reached the trenches the German machine gunners were silent, telling a tale of enemy dead. Dismounting at the first line the Anz'acs {went lon afoot, overpowering all the . Turks, then, bringing, forward their chargers they galloped cheering into the town. There was every evidence that the Turks were completely surprised. A train was standing in the station. Warhouses were full of corn, almost intact. October 31st was a great day for the Palestine Army. The staff work was admirable, and the morale of the troops was never higher.