The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1917. THE MESOPOTAMIAN VICTORY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1917, Page 4

The Daily News. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1917. THE MESOPOTAMIAN VICTORY.

After some months of comparative inaction the British forces in Mesopotamia have resumed the offensive by gaining a brilliant victory over the Turks, capturing some thirteen thousand prisoners, among whom are included a prominent General and his staff. It is also stated that a quantity of material was taken, such as guns, arms, ammunition, and probably stores. This news is most welcome, as it indicates that the British forces are in satisfactory strength, and that the battle is the opening move of operations that may be destined to have a most important bearing on the future of the war. When operations ceased some months back there were not wanting pessimists who forecasted the likelihood of a serious position arising as the result of enemy movements to out off one r more of the three branches of the British forces which were split) up after the capture of 'Bagdad and radiating therefrom, but it is evident all necessary precautions were taken, and that instead of the armies being weakened they have been made stronger and thoroughly effective, hence the signal victory has 'been won. Ramadie is about sixty miles west of Bagdad, and with Eamadie as their objective the British forces, by an encircling movement, which evidently took the enemy By surprise, started an attack on an advanced position at Mussaid, four miles eastward of Bamadie, and after a severe battle, which lasted all day long, carried the enemy's main positions and encircled the town. It was a cleverly conceived and admirably executed stroke, especially the cavalry movement which cut the enemy's line of retreat up the Euphrates and compelled a surrender that cannot fail to have an appreciable effect on subsequent operations. During the recent quiescent period we have several times heard of great preparations on the part of the enemy to retake Bagdad. It may be that) the rumors contained an element of truth and that

General Sir Stanley Maude lias got in the first "blow and made it as effective as possible. Although it is no use apecu-,

lating as to what might have happened had not Russia failed the Allies, we can take to heart the consolation that the British forces in Mesopotamia, are at last so placed as to tie able not only tg hold their own, but to inflict a defeat on the enemy without Russia's help. It is gratifying to know that both in Palestine and Mesopotamia such, signal success has been achieved, and these two operations are mutually helpful by preventing Turkish concentration at a single point. Mesopotamia is not one of the mam theatres of the war, but it is of very great importance. The operations there are not merely diversions to keep the Turks employed and taking them from other fronts, but there is a definite purpose in putting an end to Turkish influence in this region, and incidentally helping to destroy the Ottoman power. There is some justification for expecting that this opening blow is the prelude to a general offensive which it is intended to vigorously pursue. Following as this victory does in the wake of the brilliant achievements oil ..the West front, it is evident that the prolongation of the war has enabled Britain to perfect her armies and equipment and that as month succeeds month the British forces have been steadily arriving •t the zenith of their power. Develop*

icnts in Mesopotamia will be watched ■vitli the keenest interest, but instead of lioro being any feeling of anxiety tho itinost confidence should be felt in General Maude and his men. The one outstanding trouble which caused concern was the question of supplies, but that has been overcome and tne campaign should reflect tho greatest credit on British arms.