HEAVY FIGHTING IN SOMALI LAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 98, 29 April 1904, Page 3

HEAVY FIGHTING IN SOMALI LAND.

LONDON. April 27. There has been heavy fighting in Somallland between the Mullah's forces and the Mijartain natives who are friendly to the British. The town of lUig, in Italian Somaliland, and the Sultan, who was an alley of the Mullah, were captured. (Received April 28.10.15 p.m.) LONDON, April 28.

Details of tho capture of HHg state that the town was unassailable from the front. At dawn on the 21st, in the presence ol the Italian gunttoat Valtumo, Roar-Ad-miral Atkinson Willis, of the Hyacinth, with 700 bluekackets and marines from the cruisers Hyacinth, Fox, and Mohawk, and 125 men of the first battalion of the Hampshire Regiment, landed at Cullule River through the surf and attacked the zareba and towers of IHfg in the flank and rear. They stormed gallantly and after a sharp action at closo quarters, the defence being obstinate, the dervishes were expelled, losing heavily. The Italian and British flags were hoisted over the town, which with the assent of the Sultan Osman Mahomud was transferred to loyalj Mijartains. Three British were killed, four severely, and two slightly wounded. The officers came off acathless.