PALESTINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1918, Page 5

PALESTINE.

ADVANCE HELPS ARABS. ENEMY CAN OXLY MAKE FRONTAL ATTACK. JERICHO CAPTURED. London, Feb. 22. Tne Australians have captured Jericho. Reuter Service. Received February 24, 5.5 p.m. London, Fen. 22. Renter is authoritatively informed that 11m> British advance on the Jordan will greatly help in establishing touch with the Arab;;, thereby greatly encouraging the Allies. General Allenby's position is now well defined. Its right flank rests on the Dead Sea. and its left on the Mediterranean. -Hence a frontal attack is alone possible for the enemy. We control the Dead Sea and have access to the rich lands on the Eastern side and menace the railway to Damascus. Ahead is easier country and better Toads. THE CASUALTIES LIGHT. BRITISH POSITIONS EXTENDED. A. and N.Z. Cable Assn. and Renter. Received February 24. 3.5 p.m. London, Feb. 22. Palestine official:—Our forces, advancing on Thursday morning, encountered small opposition. The Australian Aiounteds entered Jericho and established themselves on the line of the Jordan to Wadi Dinja. The weather is bad. The casualties on Wednesday were slight. We extended our positions north and northwest of Jerusalem. RETREAT OF ENEMY. ACROSS THE JORDAN. A. and X.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter. Received February 24. 5/) p.m. London, Feb 22. Palestine official: The enemy from Jericho retired northwards of Wadi Auja, leaving their posts on the high ground on the left bank. Tbey also retired eastwards across the Jordan, holding the bridgehead at Elghoranlye. DETAILS OF OPERATIONS. TURKS DISLODGED FROM STRONG POSITIONS. ANZACS ENTER JERICHO. GALLANTRY OF INFANTRY. GREAT DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED. Received February 24, 5.5 n.m. •London, Feb. 23. 1 Mr. Massey, reporting from Palestine Headquarters on February 21,1 states: Genqral Allenby's army has driven the Turks from their strong position east of Jerusalem, the London troops eaoturinc all the commanding positions overlooking the >outhern Jordan vallev. The Australian and New Zealand Mounteds are entering Jericho to-day. The enomv were entrenched on a series of hills, and were attacked by the London infn.ntrv on Tuesdav and yesterdav on a twelve-mile front. The enemy were' I defeated everywhere, and suffered heavy losses. The country is an extremely difficult one, consisting of vast valleys, kloofs, donsas. and worn roekfaced hills. One place. Wadi Farar. has a perpendicular cliffside 501) feet high, hut the infantrv routed out the enemy from his trenches, and blasted on the ridges and pnurs of the mountain ranges, showing 'he greatest gallantry. On Tuesday at dawn the infantry atiacked on a line of about 20,000 yards. Tri some places the Turks retreated durlinc the artillery bombardment. Tn the centre one battalion had to assault three iimes before winning the system of trenches. During Tuesday night the infantr> moved to attack the rang£ from Talat-el-Dumn to EkteifT. the key'to Jericho. The Jerusalem road runs through these hills. On th.e Dunrm is the "Good Samaritan'' inn and the remains of a "Crusader castle. The hill is known to the Arabs as the "Hill of Blood." I saw the Londoners carry the hitl in splendid style quick!v after most accurate artillery fire, but the enemy held on stubbornly to F.kteic, whose southern fae is as praipitous as that of Gibraltar. Marching during the night the troops had great difficulties! owing to the rough "round. One column took nearly eisht hours to cover slightly over three miles. Tn some places the men walked in single file. The enemy was cleared off Ekteiff, in the afternoon. Meanwhile, the Anzacs moved through the desperately hard country, threatening the enemy in the rear. They were held up for a considerable time in a defile through which onlv two men could pass abreast, the Turk bringing several gifns to bear on this point, but by nightfall we occupied all the positions commanding the southern Jordan valley. The Turks hurriedly retired. The Anzacs made a rapid march this morning, entering Jericho at eight o'clock. Yesterday the Turks burnt their stores on the north shore of the Dead Sea. Our operations will retard, if not entirely prevent, an important source of grain supply for the Turkish forces. SUNBURN. May be classed by some as one of "the lesser ills of life, but to the possessor of a delicate skin it is one of the worst modes of torture to be imagined. After a glorious day in the Surf, or a delightful bush Picnic, the aftermath of scalding, miming face and hands and disfigured blisters takes away the happy memory of the day's pleasnre To minimise the after effects of Sunburn, anointing with Rexonn, the Rapid Healer, is all that is necessary, and the Skiu soothed and cooled by its wonderful influence, will quickly regain its normal I temperature and comfortable coolness. IRexona, 1/6 and 3/-. Obtainable everyI whew.