THE CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1916, Page 4

THE CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT.

Although the work of our forcee in Egypt and the Soudan is overshadowed by the great struggles in the principal theatres of the. war, it is of the utmost importance and deserves- more recognition than it receives. Were it not for the Turks having more than they can manage in Asia Minor, owing to the activity of the Russians, the Suez Canal zone would undoubtedly have beecome a storm centre of conflict long before now. The operations by our mounted men east of the Canal arc being continued with very satisfactory results, it being essential that neither the Turks jior their desert allies should be permitted o make a close approach to the Canal. The mounted patrols that are scouring the desert consist of considerable bodies of troops, working on a systematic plan, and pushing steadily eastwards along the caravan routes, visiting every well i-here an enemy post might be established. In this work they are materially assisted by the aeroplane scouts, who watch the routes and the desert continually, reporting the result of their observations to the troops. It is obvious that transport difficulties must have a retarding effect on rapid progress, but it i: evident also that much useful work has been accomplished, as late reports show that the middle route has been cleared as far as the Gift'affa well, while the enemy posts beyond, Rod Salem and Harama, have been visited by bombing parties of airmen. On the northern route Kaha is being used as an advanced base, the latest encounter with the enemy having occurred twenty mile 3 away. Eastward of Kaha, miles distant, is Bir-el-Abd, on the edge of a thirty mile stretch of drift sand. The Australian and New Zealand mounteds are acting as a screen for the permanent defence, which appear to have been built on remarkably thorough lines, the latest design of trenches, though certainly infinitely more labor, being such as to overcome the sand trouble. In the Soudan, excellent results are being accomplished by Colonel Kelly, who recently defeated the forces of the Sultan of Dar at the village of Bernicia, twelve miles north of El Fasher, the enemy losses totalling 2GOO, and as their forces were only estimated to number between 2000 and 3000, the victory mu3t have been very complete while Colonel Kelly's losses were only five killed and twentythree woundd. A lesson like that should have a wholesome effect, and as a large number of rifles, four guns, 45,000 rounds of ammunition were captured the Sultan may well consider the advisability of abandoning his hostility. These minor operations all have their effect on the main struggle, and those of our troops who are engaged in this useful work are equally worthy of honor with their comrades in the chief theatres.