MESOPOTAMIA.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 April 1918, Page 5

MESOPOTAMIA.

ON THE EUPHRATES. BRITISH BRILLIANT SUCCESS. DEI-EAT AXD CAPTURE OF TURKISH ARUY. Received April 12, 8.15 p.m.

London, April 11. A Mesopotamia correspondent, describing the brilliant success on the Euphrates on March 26, states the attack on the Turkish central positions began at 2 a.m. On the 25th, in bright moonlight. The Tnrks opened fire upon the attackers, but the first two lines of trenches were taken with' slight losn. The attackers halted until the artillery came up, and resumed the advance at 11 o'clock. The final line of trenches was easily captured. An attack was then made on the northern positions, which were carried with trifling loss, largely owing to the remarkably accurate barrage.

Tiie advance was continued at 3 in the morning of the 20th. Meanwhile the cavalry by a wide circuit cut off the retreat of the enemy, who endeavored all night to break through the cavalry barrier but was repulsed everywhere. The surrender was a dramatic spectacle, the enemy emerging from the dust storms at various points and laying down their arms.

An even more dramatic episode occurred next day. when black masses of the enemy were discovered in rough country The British sealed the ravines, and eventually the white flag fluttered and the enemy surrendered with his transport. The day was occupied in rounding up smaller parties by means of armored cars.