MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 February 1917, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

KUT RE-TAKEN. LARGE CAPTURE OF PRISONERS. London, February 26. The British have captured Kut-el-Amara. (The British occupied Kut on Sep. tember 29, l!) 15, and held the town until the surrender of General Townshcnd on April 2fi, 191(3). Wellington, February 27. Tim High Commissioner reports under dale Loudon. February 25 (5.30 p.m.) As the result of the recent operations the whole of the enemy positions from Sannai Yat to Kut-el-Amara are securer, Kut itself passing automatically into otir hands. In the two days' fighting 1730 prisoner;, four field guns, ten machine-guns and a large quantity of rifles and ammunition were captured. DETAILS OF SUCCESSES. HEAVY LOSSES INFLICTED. London, February 25. Mesopotamia, official.—Early on Saturday we captured a ridge across the neck of the Shumran peninsula, and it became evident that the enemy was in full retreat in the direction of Baghailah, westwards of Kut. Many Turkish depots and stores were on fire. A strong force of cavalry and infantry' was heavily engaged all day, inflicting severe casualties. Meantime we pursued our successes at Sannai Yat and captured the fifth Turkish line, the Ivakhailat and Swada positions, and reached the Atab Marsh and Hagsis line. Aeroplanes co-oper-ated invaluably, dropping bombs, and used machine-guns from the minimum al. titudes.' We took prisoner in two days 1730 men. The whole enemy's positions from Sannai Yat to Kut-el-Amara are thus secured, Kut passing automatically into our hands. Tli* full Turkish losses lore as yet unknown. OFFICIAL CONFIRMATION. 1 Reuter Service. London, February 26. In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law announced that as the result of the operations in Mesopotamia the whole of the enemy positions at Sannai Yat and Kut-el-Amara had been secured, and Kut-el-Amara passes automticlly into our hands. ~ TURKS LAME EXCUSE. London, February 2(5. A Turkish 'communique admits the evacuation of Kut according to a prearranged plan, and in order to effect a junction with reinforcements.