IN MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 January 1916, Page 5

IN MESOPOTAMIA.

OFFICIAL KEPORT. London, Jan. 23. Official: Colonel Aylmer attacked the Turks at Essin on Friday. There was fierce lighting and the casualties were heavjr on both sides. HEAVY FIGHTING, BAD WEATHER CONDITION S. Wellington, Jan. 2-1. The High Commissioner reports under date London, January 23, 3.50 p.m..— Telegrams from Sir Percy Lake, dated Saturday, state that Colonel Aylmer attacked the Turkish position at Essin on Friday, fierce fighting continuing during the day with varying success. The weather throughout was atrocious, pouring rain rendering the movement of the troops extremely difficult. Owing to the floods It was impossible to renew iMo attack on Saturday, Colonel Aylmer taking up a position 1300 yards from the enemy's trenches. The weathei continues very bad, with incessant rain, and the floods are increasing. No details of casualties have yet been received, but they are reported to be very heavy on both sides.

THE FLOODS INCREASING. Received Jan. 2-1, /i.fi p.m. London, Jan. 23. General Lake has reported that there was pouring rain at Essin, and the movement of troops was extremely dillieult. Fighting lasted all day long, with varying success, but it was impossible, owing to Hoods, to renew the attacks. On Saturday (ieneral Aylmer assumed a position 1300 yards from the enemy's trenches in incessant rain. The floods are increasing.

SUBMARINES FOR BAGDAD. Rome, Jan. 23. The Tribuna's Athens correspondent says that' the Germans are concentrating at Constantinople throe thousand Moors, who are supposed to be for Mesopotamia. They are also amassing enormous quantities of material, floating mines, and submarine parts for Bagdad.