PALESTINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1917, Page 5

PALESTINE.

CONSIDERABLE FURTHFR PROGRESS. i THE CAPTURE OF BETHLEHEM. London, Dec. 23. Palestine official: Our troops crossing the Mahrelauja at midnight on rafts ami light bridges, seized Khur-Bcthradal, olioik-Muannis, Telerrikeit, and El Makhrws, near the river-inouUi. Other forces captuivd'' Ras-Serzanibv, north eastward of Bethany, beating otf three, counter-attacks. The captures since the commencement' of the operations amount to !l'J guns and howitzers, 400 limbers and waggons, 1 l;l machine-guns. 7&10 rities and a large quantity of ammunition and stores. Mr. Massey telegraphs: Owing to the vigorous progress of the Welsh and Home Counties' troops a direct attack on Bethlehem was unnecessaiy.

The Welshman are particularly proud of their part in _the historic victories. In order to advance from Khupilfeh to the Hebron "Tioad, they had to make a road through the mountains. It was tvpicftl rearguard fighting country, enabling cavalry to delay progress. Some cavalry were seen, hut the march was rapid, the British occupying a strong line on the southern end of Ras-el-Sherifeh without opposition, tuus securing the highest points of southern Palestine.

Sherifcli had an elaborate system of defences ,md traverses and breast works. The road beyond took a bend westward, exposing it and the defences southward of Bethlehem. It liecame neie*-ary to secure the hills eastward of the road before advancing. It wa? a desperately bad bit of country, and it was impossible to mules '.ip

The Cbeshires climbed ono niountain without gr?atcoat<«. blankets or rations. It rained heavily all nicht, and tne cold was intense, »?t next day when relieved the battalion* marched whistling and happy, but almost frozen. The troops at Sherifeh, under cover of thp fog, wandered to Solomon's Pool within rifle range of the enemy's trenche?. The commander decided it was best to roalce for Jala, avoiding fighting around the hallowed spots of Bethlehem. The London Yeomanry occupied Jala and experienced another had night. Day break revealed that the enemy had abandoned Bethlehem, and the advance to Jerusalem began immediately. A FURTHER ADVANCE. RETREATING EXEMY BOMBED. Aus. and X.Z. Cable Assoc. and Reuter Received Dec. 25, S.S p.m. London, Dec. 24. Palestine official. —Our troops on the extreme left, with naval co-operation, on Saturday continued to advance northward of Xahrelanja. reaching the line Shcik-el-Ballutah—Eljelil, four miles northward of the river. They occupied Fejja and Mulebbis, southward of the river, aleo Rantieh, Klsclbeida, and Khelbireh. Two and a half tons of bombs were dropped on the retreating enemy.