PALESTINE.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 October 1918, Page 5

PALESTINE.

TURKISH RESISTANCE VERY .WEAK. - LONDON, October 28. Late advices state: We have advanced fifteen miles from Aleppo- in pursuit of the enemy. Details show that when the British came in the night of the town. Yon Sanders, with 10,000 retired to Katina (at the junction of the main road from Alcxandretta and Adana to Constantinople). A rearguard of 2000 put up a slight resistance, but before retiring burned the station and destroyed most of the rolling stock and railway bridges. There are unconfirmed reports that Yon Sanders has been recalled. The Turkish resistance in Mesopotamia is so poor that we could take Mosul any time, but for the extremely bad communications, nccesitating extensive supply preparations before a really big move. The enemy’s field strength is only about 8,000. A Mesopotamia official message reports: The Turks on the 26th held a strong position on the Jebelhamri. westward of the mouth of the Lesseenzab. Armoured cars attacked the lines of communication from the west, while cavalry threatened those from the east. The frontal pressure, combined with these attacks compelled the Turks to retreat twelve miles. We are closely in contact. We captured Kirkuk on October 25th (Kirkuk is about 70 miles south-east of Mosul.)