PALESTINE.

Taihape Daily Times, 13 April 1918, Page 5

PALESTINE.

TURKS LAUNCH" AN' OFFENSIVE, Received 8.55 a.m. LONDON, 'April 12. The Turks have launched an offensive against the British on the' Palestine coast sector. HEAVY FIGHTING, GERMANS AND TURKS ATTACKING. ... ; ENEMY BADLY BEATEN. Received 9.10 a.m. CAIRO, April 12. Mr. Massey, writing from Palestine on Thursdaj r , says there have been three clays' heavy fighting on the foot of hills cast of the plain of Sharon by Turks, reinforced by a German battalion and Turks from the Mesopotamia front. Despite enemy fighting from prepared defences with strong artillery supports, he has been forced back several thousand yards, ant lost ridges and hills and some important villages. Some Germans are serving in the ranks of Turkish battalions, suggesting that the' enemy consider the Turks, after six months consistent defeats require stiffening. The attack began at dawn on the 9th, delivered by West County and Indian troops from line :of Wadi-Ballut, a wide water course, now dry, with very steep banks. We rapidly gained the ground, capturing German and Turkish prisoners and the villages of Eafat and Elkefre, which remained in our hands, Repeated counter-attacks failing with heavy losses. At Berukin, a 2,200 feet hill, there was stout fighting till 3.30, when we captured it. The enemy is holding up the advance with many machine-guns hidden between boulders. A counter-attack delivered south of the village was broken up by artillery. Just as it was getting dark the enemy strongly attacked from a ridge on the west, but were driven off with heavy loss. All ground gained was held_ During the night on the 10th further progress was made In the • evening the enemy gathered under' the banks of Wadi-Lesham, and counter-attacked through the Olive grove and got into our line. ' We rapidly collected a force and drove out these, comprising Germans • and Turks inflicting numerous casualties, but the enemy, succeeded in getting away and retired over the ridge. A number of counter-attacks elsewhere were easily repulsed. The country is very difficult, and there are no roads.