MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 March 1917, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

RETREATING TURKS PURSUED. London, Feb. 27. In the House of Lords, Lord Curzon read telegrams from General Maude stating that on the morning cf February 2,i cavalry and infantry moved westward in pursuit of the retreating enniey. Strong Turkish rearguards, supported by artillery, occupied trench positions at Kut-el-Amara, evidently covering a withdrawal from Bughorlah. After an intense bombardment our infantry assaulted the position mid obtained a footing therein, while our cavalry operated round the Turkish northern flank. Many prisoners, numerous flocks, equipment, and stores were capturcu. GERMANS BLAME TURKSTURKEY NEEDS HELI\ The Hague, Feb. 27. German militarists are chagrined at the loss of Kut-cl-Amara and censure the Turks. The newspapers assure the public that the loss does not matter because a decision is being reached on the sea and in France. The Turkish Ambassador has made a pessimistic report on the condition of Turkey and requested assistance, SUCCESS FOLLOWED UP. SLUR ON BRITISH ARMS WIPED OUT. Reuter Service. Picceived Feb. £S, 5.M p.m. London, February 27. Inftthe House of Lords, Lord Curzon added: Our aeroplanes bombed a steadier towing the Turks' pontoon bridge up-stream. The tow slipped and the pontoons floated awav. He said it wag evident the scene of operations will bo shifted considerably up-stream, and beyond Kut. The success announced yesterday had been followed up, and lie believed that several thousand prisoners had been taken. It was clear that the slur on our arms (if that phrase was applicable), caused by the events of last year was now entirely wiped out. WESTERN ATTACK. RETREAT TO AVOID DISASTER. SUCCESS OF NEW CAS SHELLS, fParis, February 27. Le Journal's correspondent at British headquarters says the explanation of the apparent mystery of the retreat on the Anere is simple. The Germans have fallen back to escape an overwhelming disaster. The victory is particularly due to the terrific efficacy of the new gas shells. The new inventions have reached a point at which it is possible to kill at a long distance with marvellous success. ZEEBRUGGE BOMBARDED. HEAVY EXPLOSIONS CAUSED, Received Feb. 28, fl.lo p.m. The Hague, February 27. Allied aeroplanes heavily bombarded Keebrugge harbor and depots. Heavy explosions were heard and the glare of Ores was seen in Holland. BRITISH ADVANCE CONTINUES SUCCESSFUL RAIDS. THREE LINES OF TRENCHES ENTERED. A. & N.Z. Cable Asociation and Reuter, Received Feb. '2B, 8.5 p.m. London, February 27. Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We made further progress, cap 1 turing Le Barque. We occupied Ligny, established ourselves in the western and northern defences of Puissieux-au-Monte. rt 7 e carried our raids south-westward of Lens and also eastward of Armentieres, and on half a mile front, entered three lines of trenches and considerably damaged the defences. - FOR GERMAN READERS. London, February 27. A wireless German official message says:—Of numerous English advances between Yprcs and the Somme only one reached the trendies east of Arras. A lounter-attack drove them out. FRENCH RAID GERMAN LINES. London, February 27. A French communique states:—We raided the German lines south-east oi Vailly and brought back prisoners. Patrol encounters occurred in the region of Bezonvaux and in the Vasges.