EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1916, Page 5

EGYPT.

j, GENERAL MURRAY'S DESPATCH. THE TEAIXIXfI OF THE AXZACS! EXEMY FORCES.' ■AN2AC MOUXTEDS PRAISED London. September 25. General Sir Archibald Murray, in liis despatch dated .Time 1, details the reorganisation of the Dardanelles army, the re-equipment of the Australians and Xew Zealanders, and the training of the Australian reinforcements at Tel el Ivebir until the Anzac training depots were transferred to England. The Turks, prior to March, had 250,000 troops ready for an attack on the canal, but after the capture of £rzerum the garrisons in Syria were reduced to 00,000. The Second Australian-Xew Zealand Armv Corps, which came into existence on March 29 under the command of General Godley, consisted of Major-General Cox's Fourth Division, McKay's Fifth Division, and Chauvel's Anzac Mounted Division. This army corps assisted, in patrolling the western front. The Xinth Australian Horse, under Major Scott, made a most successful reconnaissance at Jifjafl'a on April 11-15, tile operation being most creditable to all ranks. The Fifth Australian Light Horse assisted in the pursuit of the Turks at Quantara on April 23. During flay reconnaissances on the east front were frequent. Where three .brigades of Anzac Mounteds, including the Xew Zealand Mounted Rifles, were present, they proved a unit on which I could absolutely depend to display energy, resource and endurance. General Murray recommends the following to the notice of the staff:—Generals Birdwood, Godley, Cox, McKay and Chauvel. Ueut.-C'olonel C. Richardson, of the New Zealand Stall', is recommended for good service with the Salonika army. SI'KIKJiNDER OF TURKISH GABRISOX Received Sept. 20, 11 p.m. • - Cairo, .Sept. 20. The Sheriff of Mecca reports that the Turkish yarrison at Taif has surrendered with 50 olScers and 1800 men. Ten guns and large} military store* were captured.