PALESTINE

Taihape Daily Times, 28 September 1918, Page 5

PALESTINE

CAVALRY'S REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT. i LONDON. Sept 27. You Sanders fled to Nazareth, only six hours before the arrival of our cavalry. The completeness of the victory was due principally to the skilful work of a large mass of cavalry. It was a remarkable achievement, almost without parallel in history. Its effect in the Near Bast will probably be very great. Syria is now open to invasion, and the Turkish communications with Mesopotamia cannot be considered too secure. It is likely to paralyse their efforts in Persia an®, with the Balkan victory, increase the fears of the Turks for their security in Europe. It must be remembered, however, that although the battle was decisive as regards Palestine, it cannot in the larger sense be called decisive, even if we captured Aleppo. This would only effect the evacuation of Upper Mesopotamia, and would not affect the main Turkish army in the Caucasus and Persia, which is based on the Black Sea ports. The most important result is that it frees our Palestine army for whatever use we like.

Palestine official. —The soutn' and western shores of Lake Tiberias are generally in our hands. The Turkish garrisons resisted stiffly but were overcome.

The cavalry occupied Amman and are now driving the enemy up the Hedjaz railway into the arms of the Arabs at Deraa. Some of the enemy ,may escape to Damascus. Others are going southward to the Dead Sea, with the object of extricating the garrison, which the Arabs are pressing hard. ALL GOES WELL. MARVELS OF ORGANISTION. Received 11.20 a.m^ LONDON September 27 Mr Massey, writing from Palestine on Thursday says: General Allenby’s armies’ pace .docs not slacken, although the position of the , force;, has , advanced. well over fifty miles. The supply question is one of paramount importance, 'and the army is going forward everywhere. The vast character of the victory can only be appreciated by a close study of maps. This is not the place nor .time to enter 'into details of the organisation of the supply branch, but the efforts of’ this department are fully in keeping with all other stair work. Those of us who, have seen what is going on at, ) the front can declare the problem has been tactled with marvellous efficiency. All across the country we see columns of lorries and light cars carrying rations and fodder, camel trains huge lines of donkey transport, each, in a place where their service.can be best employed,.. The men’s testimony is the best; we have yet to hear a single-grouse, at the food. .Thecaptured rolling stock is already carrying heavy supplies. We, are around the west: -and. south of the seaof Galilee and SetaTdi on the south. The Turks fought with desperation heavy street fighting, and heavy street fighting resulted to our advantage. (Continued on page 8.)