IN PERSIAN GULF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 204, 5 February 1915, Page 6

IN PERSIAN GULF.

SMART ENCOUNTER. BRITISH GET CONTROL OF RICH COUNTRY. The Secretary of State for India on December !)th communicated the following regarding the progress of the Indian expeditionary force to the Persian Gulf, reports the London Standard: "A reconnaissance of the enemy's position at Kurnah was made on the sth inst. by Lieutenant-Colonel Frazer with tlie 110 th Mahrattas. The enemy were encountered on the left bank (if the Tigris opposite Kurnali. Thev were promptly attacked, and driven 'across the river, losing heavily; two guns and 70 prisoners, including three Turkish officers, were captured. Kurnali was found to lie strongly held by guns and infantry, and our troops, having no means of crossing the Tigris, withdrew to their original bivouac four miles south of Kurnah. (ireat assistance was Riven by the navy from armed steamers which accompanied the reconnaissance. Our casualties were one British officer and three British rank and file wounded, one Indian officer and 111 rank and file killed, and about GO wounded. Steamers Winer and Lawrence were bit by shells. On the following day reinforcements were sent from Basra, under Brigadier-General Fry. by steamers and flats. On his arrival he.'reported the Turks in occupation of Mascra on the left bank of the Tigris, immediately opposite Kurnali. They attacked his outposts, but wen! repulsed with some "On the 7th inst. General Fry captured Mason, ami cleared the left bank ot the Tigris, bivouacking on the captured position, hi this affair three <nins were taken (and two disabled), as well as 1(1(1 prisoners, including three officers On the Sth the 140 th Rifles ami 110(1,' Mahrattas and two mountain <Mins cros--«'<l the Tigris by a Hying bridge and dhows, and occupied the northern approaches „f Kurnah. and on the early morning of December !)H, Kubhi Boy, u, - ,, ate Covenior of R aS ra a „,i commanding the Inrkish forces at Kurnah, surren" deced unconditionally with his troops 'I he town of Kurnah was subsmicntlv occupied. ' "'Our casualties during the whole of these operations numbered one British officer killed and throe wounded, about 10 Indian rank and file killed, and P0 wounded. "This smart little affair has given us complete control of the country from the junction of the Tigris and Ku- ( pirates to the sea. and the richest iv<rt ' £ the fertile delta." " I li