AVDANCE FROM GAZA.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1917, Page 7

AVDANCE FROM GAZA.

GALLANT SCOTTISH TROOPS. ' FOUR BATTLES'IN SEVEN DAYS.

. _ London, Nov. 19. Writing from British headquarters in Palestine, Reuter's correspondent states: —The part played by the Scottish troops .in the recent operations was neither small n6r inglorious. Tq them fell the honor of opening the proceedings on the left flank of the attack on Gaza. It was the Scottish troops who stormed Umbrella Hill, El Arisli Redoubt, and another strong position, known as The Little Devil. The way had been prepared for them by a tremendous shelling, yet the Turks had plenty of fight left, and the men were exposed to severe machine l gun fire. Subsequently they were deluged by Turkish shrapnel, but having gained a footing, they were determines that nothing should ever drive them out. At El Arlsh redoubt the enemy exploded four mines, which completely en* gulfed the first wave as it swept over the parapet. The succeeding waves did not hesitate a single moment, but charged right through a party of the enemy who had converted a small Bedouin hut into a miniature fortress, rushed the hut and exterminated the eenmy inside with some well-aimed bombs. CHARGE AFTER LONG MARCH. _ Now began the second phase of operations, That day they inarched through the sand dynes west of Gaza, 15 miles to the Wadi Hesi. It was already dark and although the position had not been reconnoitred, the gallant Southrons attacked with bayonet, taking the whole ridge of hills before midnight. Another couple of battalions passing through were heavily counter-attacked and held up. The Turks clung strongly t(> their positions at Deir-is-Neid, and although they were driven out they counterattacked four times during the night, recovering the ground, only to lose it again before our assault. The fifth Capture was the last, the enemy losing ■heart.

"Meanwhile small mounted patrols, with grooms and signallers, pushed forward along the coast and captured'Askalon, afterwards proceeding to El Mejdel, and receiving the surrender of a small Turkish detachment which was guarding a big dump. "These were strenuous days, with no time for rest or hesitation. Esdud was reached and occupied on November 10. Ihe heights beyond were occupied by the enemy, who prevented our cavalry from watering their horses. The kilties were called upon to clear the heights, whtc". they did with a bayonet charge after dusk, making the third night attack in four days.

"On November 12 took place the fight at Burkah, which was one of the most despera.tely-con tested of the whole operations. Over 400-Turkish dead were counted on the field of battle. CATURE OF 1400 PRISONERS. , About ten miles further back the enemy made another stand at the villages of Katrah and Mughar ; on the Wadi Rubin. It was a position admirably selected. A force of Yeomanry, however, turned the scales in our favor. Making a wide turning movement north of the position, they took the Turk? in Teverse. It was a magnificent spectacle as the Yeomanry crossed the plain at full gallop to the hills behind the .Turks, where, dismounting, they cltvcd upon the foe. Profiting by the latter'a distraction, the Scots rushed the position, and the majority of the Turks surrendered, 1400 men, three field-guns, and 28 machine-guns falling into our possesion. Next day the Scots participate-', in the fighting north of the junction station, reaching the Jerusalem line simultaneously with the troops on their left and right. Thus for seven days and nights these gallant 6ons of Scotland marched and fought, covering, just 69 miles in their progress.