MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1918, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

TURKISH FORCE DESTROYED. 30CO PRTSfiXKRS TAKEN. Received March 2P, 11,30 p.m. London. March 2S. A 'lurkish force was destroyed- iu the Hit area. Mesopotamia. Three thousand prisoners were 1 taken. Received March/2n, 11.50 p.m London, Mi-rcli 2F„ Mesopotamia, official.- -We curried out on the 2(it.h a highly successful operation on the Euphrates', north-west 'of J fit, leading to the capture or destruction of virtually the entire Turkish force in that area. We in the early morning it Hacked positions about Khaubaghdadieh, 22 miles north-west of Hit, the cavalry inaking a wide movement around the Turkish right aiii' establishing itself astride the AJfcppo Iload in the enemy's rear. liv nightfall the main - positions had been carried by assault. 'The enemy's main body, when atlenjpting to break to the north-westward, was intercepted >by our cavtilry and repulsed- with heavy losses. So far, it is reported that *OOO prisoners were taken, including a divisional commander and 200 other Turkish officers, a Herman officer, a few G-rmnii noncoms, ten guns, 2000 rifles and many machine guns. The remaining fugitives were pursued beyond Iladitha, 45 miles northwest of Hit. Our casualties woe slight,