PALESTINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1917, Page 5

PALESTINE.

THE RAMLEH OPERATIONS. TURKISH FORCE WIPED OUT. ANZACS TO THE FORE, BRITISH LOSSES SMALL. Cairo, Nov. 23. A correspondent, describing the operations around Ramleh, where two fresh Turkish battalions came into action and counter-attacked with much determination, getting within fifteen yards of the New Zealand mounted troops, who were dismounted and had been advancing on foot. The Turks paid dearly for their tenacity. It was a case of "Up lads and at them.'' The Auckland and Wellington Rifles charged with the bayonet and practically wiped out tho Turkish force. Over four hundred dead were counted before our lines. It was a case where strength and skill met their reward. The Turks were utterly routed and very few c" the survivors continued their'way to the supports near Ramleh. It was too late for the Anzacs to push on, but next morning they entered Ramleh without opposition. They captured 300 prisoners at Lydda and a largo amount of war material, the enemy having hurriedly retired during the night. The following day Jaffa was entered by the Anzacs. In all these operations/ extending over , a fortnight, with almost dailv fighting, it is gratifying to know that'our losses were comparatively small, especially in ( the case of the animals, whose losses were very much less than was feared. ABANDONMENT OF JERUSALEM FORECASTED. i Amsterdam, Nov. 23. The Nord Deutsch Allgemaine Zeitung forecasts the abandonment of Jerusalem, but says its loss will be of no military importance. SITUATION MOST ENCOURAGING. TURKS PERSISTENTLY ATTACKED. TRYING WEATHER CONDITIONS. Received Nov. 25. 5.5 p.m. London, Nov. 24. Mr. Massey reports from Palestine that the scene of the fighting gets further eastwaul of Ramleh daily. We -are driving the Turks out of the liill country by persistent attacks. The situation is most encouraging, though the enemy is stubbornly resisting and rarely retiring until hard pressed. The West Country men gallantly made a bayonet charge in order to dislodge the'enemy from the nooks and crannies where the Turks managed to get guns into positions, which ■ retard us somewhat. Although ,thc country is difficult the cavalry are always threatening the enemy's flanks. 1 _ The conditions are depressing for fighting. Tho men tried to sleep in cheerless x bivouacs, while the supply troops worked unceasingly getting food and stores through slippery mud, amid violent rainstorms and piercing winds following warm days.