WAR CORRESPONDENT'S STORY.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 January 1917, Page 5

WAR CORRESPONDENT'S STORY.

! A SWIFT MARCH. Timos Service.' deceived ,Jaii. lfl, 8,25 p.in London, Jan. i... Mr. Maseoy, the war correspondent. in „ tic-cribiitf, the Rafa fight states that it was one of the finest achievements of the Egyptian campaign. A swift march brought tlio mounted men witii/i striking distance whje the enemy slept. The whole battle resembled old-time warfave. Many Bedouins watched the fight, soimi tending their flocks between our firms line and the enemy trenches, either ignorant of their peril or submittm" their fate to Allah. ° ARABS DISARMED Ipie New Zealanders, who were detached Irom tin- oo'lumii five: milts south of Rafa, oil the border of Syria, rounded up and disarmed a largo mnnbei of Arabs, whose attitude was unknown. They completed this operation before daylight. DISPOSITION OF FORCES The New Zealanders then made an enveloping movement from the east, the Australians attacking fiom the southeast, the Camel Corps, from the south, nad their guns registered, and, after deployment, the dismounted attack began. An hour later the New Zealanders moved very quietly over the grassy ridges direct on Rafa, wjiieh was lightly held, and was immediately taken. The prisoners included the fleeing camel men. Ore I'tw Zealand regiment was sent well to the eas't in order to protect the flank. Diis proved a very wise precaution. The rapid taking of the town was a valuable part of the day's ,vork, and enabled the New Zealanders to get belind the <Micmy position, where Die? were sorely troubling the foe for the' remainder 'of tlio day. A CRITICAL MOMENT. "While the fight, tras in progress, the approach of relief forces was reported, and at the critical moment the General called for an immediate aiijl supreme effort before it reached some sections of the lines. The troops were finishing their work in the enemy trenches, and the New Zealanders swooped into the Turks strongest position from tlie rear. Two Australian brigades carried the ; south-eastern works, the camelry gallantly assaulted on the south-west, while the Yeomanry kept the western tide fully employed. ■ . Meanwhile, the Zealanders on the east of Rafa were holding a long crescent line. They cngyjed vastly superior forces trying to escape, and threw them back. BOOTY AND PRISONERS. A groat amount of booty was secured, lb-; prisoners included eleven unwound! J Germa'.i machine-gunners. The Turkish ■prisoners included some from formations not previously used south of Syria. THE CAPTURES AT RAFA Wellington, ./'ar. lC The High Commissioner reports under date London Jan. 15 (8 p.m.):--Egyptian - official reports state that thi total captures at Rafa on Tuesday were 1002 prisoners, four Krupp mountain guns, seven machine-guns, and a . quantity of other material!