PALESTINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 April 1917, Page 5

PALESTINE.

FIGHTING AT GAZA. THE ENEMY SCEPMSEIX "mVf ZEALANDERS' DASH. N Times Service. London, April 6. jlr.Massey, the correspondent, states that fifcftr Gaza, on March 21, one of the swift movements characteristic of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force surprised tje enemy on si foggy dawn on the great Gaza .plain. The fog prevented the development of the attack until 10 o'clock Ih the' morning. This was deeply unfortunate, because the capture of Gaza deeded Oil speed, Turkish reinforcements being within 15 miles. Another two hours' davlight would have meant the fall, of the city, - The battlefield was separated from the sea by two miles of sandhills, in Yfhkh the' fotfks ivere entrenched in n perfect labyrinth of deep trenches and refloats in skilfully selected sites. The garrison consisted of seven Turkish regiments, with.Austrian, gunners. The Country was intersected by nullahs [(wide precipitous cracks). ■The cavalry crossed the Wadi Gaza v lor enveloping movements. Its banks were 40ft. high, and perpendicular. The Ahz4.cs, Yeomanry, and Horse Batteries cut the hanks.and built ramps. All the movements during the fog were done by compass. Afterwards it was soon seen that tenemy reinforcements of cavalry were earning from the base in the Judea Hills ftfld at Beefsheba. The artillery preparation seemed to lift up sections of the trenches, then the infantry inarched to : the attack, taking advantage of feviry scfap of cover. The" Welsh Territorials engaged in hand-to-hand fighting in a bewildering tnttze of trenches, conquering their tenacious Opponents in the evening. 'Meanwhile a portion of the Anzacs and Yeomanry was ordered to close in from the north-east to assist the infantry, and the' Anzacs began taking tranches. At sunset the New Zeßlanders had got to close quarters, and had desperate fighting until the close approach of the enemy's reinforcements necessitated the withdrawal of the cavalry,, jtbis being done between two fires. Keceived April 7, 5.5 p.m. London, April fi. The Sext afternoon the Turks made a tremendous effort to break our line. For two hours the fighting was magnificent. Otir shrapnel was ranged perfectly and smashed the lines of the attackers, while tiie mftckine guns caused heavy casualties. The Anzacs, Yeomanry, and infantry were all splendid. The New Zealanders captured 200 taien And their howitzers. The Turks were endeavoring to prevent the removal of the latter and entered a county house, but iwere enfiladed by the (few inlanders, who loaded the howitzers and demolished the house. The New Zealand brigade'a casualties during the 4»y-were only two-killed and 29 Wounded. They took prisoner 225. Another instahce of darling bravery was the amazing fight of eight armored cars against 5000 infantry. The artillery citts were pushed forward over rough and trackless ground. The enemy tried every means to capture the can, and fought sometimes in a line and Sometimes in a column, but were mowed down. The Turks' ranges were from 25 to 300 yards. The cars ran the gauntlet for two hours. One man was killed and four Wounded, killing and founding at least 350 Turks.