MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1916, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

THE RELIEF FORCE. NOT YET AT KUT. London, March '2O. Mr. Candler telegraphs that the British arc still 23 miles from Kut-el-A.iuva. This clear., up General Lake's telegram regarding the retreat on Essinn. [Tlie retreating column has thus retreated sixteen miles down the Tigris since General Aylmer unsuccessfully attacked the Turks in the Essinn position about a fortnight ago. Subsequently a British force under Sir Percy Lake (Commander-in-Chief in Mesopotamia) attacked an advanced Turkish position,! but at the time the locality of this engagement was not stated.] A SURPRISE ATTACK. FORTi-EIGHT HOURS' FIGHTING. OVER THE DESERT, Received March 23, 1.5 a.m. London, March 22. Mr. Candler reports that three columns marched on the night of March 8 and attacked Dujilah redoubt, southeast of the Turkish position at Essin. The enemy were completely surprised when our artillery opened at dawn. A scries of attacks were delivered during the day, but the position was held in great strength, and our columns returned I Vo the main camp uninterrupted. The operations were carried out in , waterless country, the troops being heavily laden, carrying entrenching tools and extra ammunition during the march. They fought for forty-eight -hours with■out rest, displaying the highest couraee, I'ienacitit <ud. pjoiim&Oi ~"~ ''"""'