EGYPT.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 January 1917, Page 5

EGYPT.

STRONG POSITION CAPTURED. TURKISH BELIEFS DESTROYED. r London. Jan. 11. An Egypt official message stutcs:—V.V captured on Tuesday a strong position, cpasisting-of six lines n£ entrenchments, «is main redoubts and a central keep, revering Rafa, north-east of El Arish. The Anzac mounteds and Imperial Came! Cttfps attacked the position and cirried it aftfr a day's fighting. After the engagements the Turkish reliefs were encountered and entirely destroyed four miles from Rafa » Further' details show that .ve later tcok 1000 prisoners and captured four Snciirttaiti guns. The enemy killed and Bounded in-our hands number GOO.' . / B.euter Service. London, Jan. 11. ''A British mounted force left KI Arish jr. the Sit., marched thirtv miles in tv,o.ve hours, and attacked the Turkish position covering Eafa jit dawn on the 9th. The enemy, numbering approximately 2300, were all killed or takjfn prisoner and included a few Hermans. Our •casualties, were light. The Sinai Peninsula ;_ clear of the enemy. .'• A Trjkisb force coming to the relief of Rufa in the afternoon was engaged and obliged to withdraw. ,

THE SUBMARINE MENACE. | TBIBUTE TO RIGHTING POWERS OF COLONIALS, i Received Jan. 12, S p.m. London, Jan. 11. The Rafa victory was due to the same natterly surprise as at Magdaban, the Auracs, Yeomanry, and Camelry participttiing. That *uch a strong position was oap--1 tured in twelve hours testifies to the magnificent fighting powers of the troops .and the gicill of the commanders. It was the 31st Turkish Regiment that suffered ' defeat, it being composed entirely of Turkish regulars. Two hundred .Turks were buried, in addition to 1600 unwounded and 163 Grounded prisoners, which include the Turkish commander and 29 officers, some German'officers and non-coms. i The British losses were: — Officers. three killed, and 41 wounded; men, GS" killed and 381 wounded. ENEMY NOT GIVEN A CHANCE. JCBKS. CLEARED FROM SINAI. Received Jan. 12, 8 p.m. London, Jan. 11. Mr.'Massey, the war correspondent, in a cable from El Arish, says the brilliant <U>Bh of the monnteds and the Camel Corps on Tuesday cleared out the Turks completely from Sinai, after two years. The Australians, New Zealanders, and Imperials quickly followed up the victory at Maghdaba by a rapid night march, ' reaching Rafah, which is a coastal town, thirty miles from El Arish. Tht garrison of 2300 were overwhelmed. Fighting began at dawn., A relief force approaching from Ihe north-east in the afternoon was intercepted, and withdrew to a final* strong position, but surrendered at 5 o'clock. Our casualties were light. The Maghdaba and Rafah actions resulted in capturing 3000 prisoners. The swift strokes have a great moral effect. Our mounteds, with their wide radius of action and highep condition of their training, have not given the enemy a chance to escape. Their desert experience and mobility thoroughly surprised the enemy.