ANZAC DESERT PATROL

Taranaki Daily News, 18 September 1917, Page 6

ANZAC DESERT PATROL

! SKIRMISHES WITH THE TURK. ' BUSES TO CATCH ENEMY. Cairo, Sept. 3. With the slowing down of operations im the Gaza front to the conditions of trench warfare, the task of patrolling the southern flanlc. where the lines drift pff into the desert, is in the hands of the Anzac and Imperial mounted divisions. It is a thankless task and a dreary ono mostly, but occasionally reconnaissances Mid encounters with enemy patrols idvest it with welcome opportunities for excitement. Turkish horsemen have a wholesome respect for our men, and the skirmishes which take place are never of their seeking. They are as shy as hawks, and to get near them requires patience and careful study of the tactics. Also they lire as cunning as serpents. In these conditions of warfare tho Anzacs have distinguished themselves, as the following typical case will show:— It had been observed that three Turkish patrols for several days followed certain parallel routes to a particular ridge, whence they had a good distant view. It was decided to intercept them, and an adequate force of Australian Light Horse was despatched one dark night to make a long detour in order to take up a position on some broken ground not very far from the Turkish lines. It was not an easy matter to find the way by compass only across the trackless wilderness In the pitch-black darkness. But Ho Iniatakes were made. The Turks early next morning essayed their round in complete unconsciousness ,of the proximity of the onemy. When | they had gone sufficiently forward our men closed up behind, entirely cutting oft their retreat, with the result that the majoriy of the Turks were eiher tapturod or -killed. In these encounters the Turks seldom put up a tight. They simply gallop for all they are worth, and the Australians ride them doiwn, hauling them out of their saddles by the scruff of the neck. A certain distinguished Australian officer on one occasion went out i» a motor-car armed with a Hotchkiss gun tn order to eee how a junior officer ■.carried out an ambush of another enemy patrol. Topping the Band ridge the party in the car 6aw the patrol in tho valley beneath coming their way, and Immediately decided to intercept it. The car raced down the hill, landing at a nullah which could not be crossed. The Hotchkiss without delay was dismounted and rushed across and opened fire. But meantime the Australian cavalry had caught up with tho Turks, and could be seen hauling them off their horses. At another place a Turkish patrol used to cross the open plain, whore there was no cover for miles, to visit certain ruins. Three dismounted Anzacs hid themselves overnight in small sand dc- , pressions near the route the Turks were in ilia habit ei following. A Turkish.

-officer with two advance posts passed between them, bub suddenly becoming suspicious, wheeled back upon the main body. The Australians in ambush immediately opened fire and | brought down the officer and a sergeant, i Finding only three adversaries, the for- ' mer drew liis revolver, but was immediately shot dead. The remainder of the jAnzac patrol then dashed to the scene and the Turks bolted.