SINAI AND AFTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 June 1917, Page 7

SINAI AND AFTER.

[ AUBTIWiASIA'S GREAT PART. REMAKKAiBLH MOBI&ITY.■London, May 22 : . Correspondents state that the' sion of the Turks from Sinai and the victories at Maghdaba and Kafa were diie, abovo everything else, to the remarkato mobility of the Australasian Mounted (Riflemen, When the enemy ' ?*«' finely forced back to the Caza-s?S*»..-in fi. an - entirely different situation was created, necessitating a further concentration of troops. By' the middle o'f March a large force of infantry mounted men, and artillery was concentrated on the Palestine .borders in readiness for a further advance. When a swift, forward movement was launched on March '2.1 Australians, New Zealanders, mounted men, and Yeomanry displayed coolness, resource, and dogged heroism in preventing strong enemy reinforcements coming up from t&e. north-east and east.to the assistance of the hard-pressed main body of Turks. , The New Zealanders and the Yeomanry advanced across open ground to attack the enemy, who was concealed in rifle-pits and behind thick cactus hedges, carrying tho position, despite heavy resistance ancF numerous obstacles. The New Zeadarider's continued to advance, rushed an enemy battery, captured.several Austrian howitzers, and held them against renewed efforts to recover them. Enejny detachments posted themselves ' in adjacent houses, intending to prevent *he removal of the giitis. The Not Zealariders turned the howitzer's on the houses', battered them down, and repiilsott a determined Turkish, bayonet at* ■*n«k. Thgy brought back the guns triumphantly. Keuter'ji correspondent states,that the Australasian- horsemen ■were' altogether admirable throughout'. They distinguish■ej themselves by their cbplness, discif'lpline, and- contempt for danger under the heaviest shelbfire; The correspond-: ont stresses the enormousf strength: of Gaia. The Turks' have weakened two other fronts in order to mass defences .at that'point.