MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1917, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

REPORTED FALL OF BAGDAD. TURKISH FORCE SHATTERED. IMPORTANCE OF THE CAPTURE. BRITISH J-EEDOM TO MOVE. Received March 11. 5.5 p.m. London, March 10. The announcement of the fall of Bagdad is expected momentarily. It is believed the cavalry occupied the city without opposition, and are now sweeping northward. The Daily Chronicle says it is evident that the Turks in Mesopotamia are not in a condition to fight, and have probably lost at least two divisions, and possibly an army corps. The groat thing is that the Turkish army no longer exists as a fighting force, it is understood that the country around Bagdad, between the Tigris and Euphrates, can be inundated, especially now, because of the rainy season, and expresses' the hopi/ that our cavlry will prevent the opening of the barrages The importance of the capture of Bagdad would bo immense} apart from political reasons, because it has served as a base of operations against the Russians in the Kermanshah theatre. It is problematical if the Turks can extricate themselves when Bagdad is taken. Anyhow, they mustevacuate Persia. Another great advantage is that it will afford the British freedom to move', as hitherto they have been restricted to the so-called corridor of Mesopotamia. A restricted fighting front is a great impediment, but the corridor ceases above Bagdad, so that we I can expect open fighting, for which the I Turks have not shown any talent, despite their dogged tenacity in defensive warfare. RUSSIANS CO-OPERATING. WELL ORGANISED AND SUPPORTED ENEMY RArIDLY RETREATING. TURKEY REALISES HER MISTAKE. Received March 11, 5.5 p.m. London, March 10. The Daily Chronicle's Petrograd correspondent states that General liarrakoff's troops are advancing with great energy in order to co-operate with the British advance on the Tigris, and that it is likely there will bo an early recapture of the positions abandoned in 1916. The conditions this year are wholly different, the advance being well organised and well supported, while the Russians are much better acquainted with the country and with mountain warfare, amidst the nomadic tribes. Ramadan was captured after three days' hard fighting. The Turks tried to made a stand at Asadabad Pass, then at Kingevar. but are now retreating rapidly on Kerpashau. The Daily Telegraph's Rome correspondent reports that information from the Russian Embassy is to the effect that the Turkish resistance is shattered, and that even on the Armenian and ■Persian fronts the Russian armies are marching victoriously upon their objectives in complete accord with Britain. Turkey now realises her mistake in sending her best troops to Europe, where they have been so decimated that they can no longer render effective service even in Europe. . THE RAPID ADVANCE. I _ FALL OF CITY EXPECTED. Received March 10, 7 p.m. London, March 9. The rapid advance upon Bagdad has. caused-a thrill of expectation. Whether . the Turks have constructed defences on the Diala river, requiring the cavalry to halt until the infantry arrives, is not yet known. The present information indicates that the Turks are hopelessly outnumbered and outmanoeuvred. Paris is excited. M. Marcel Hutin believes that Bagdad has already been captured. EFFECT OF THE RAPID ADVANCE. ENEMY EVACUATES CTESIPHON. Received March 11, 11.50 p.m, London, March 11. Mesopotamia Official.-—Our gunboats and cavalry discovered on Wednesday that the enemy was holding a line at Dial river in some strength. We engaged the enemy on Thursday. The Ctesiphon position had been most carefully prepared. It is clear that the enemy intended to hold it. The evacuation is probably due to our rapid advance from Azizie.