EAST OF THE JORDAN.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 October 1918, Page 5

EAST OF THE JORDAN.

TRIFLING ANZAC LOSSES. (Commonwealth Official Correspondent.) Cairo, September 30. The Australians and New Zealanders continue their victorious sweep east of the Jordan. Having cleared Es Salt they are now extending over the Moab Plateau, towards Amman and the Hcdjaz railway, gaining much territory, taking large numbers of fugitive prisoners, and suffering practicaly no casualties.

The Australasian losses throughout have been trifling. The Fifth Light Horse Brigade has captured 3500 prisoners, a considerable number of guns, and huge booty. This

brigade had an adventurous task attacking the Turkish flank, about half-way between the old front line and the Esdraelon Plain. By dashing tactics they took 2000 prisoners north of TulkeramAfter a long moonlight march they cut the railway north of Nablus behind the enemy main force. Afterwards they assisted in the capture of Nablus itself, securiing vast quantities of material of every description. The men are armed with swords, but had little opportunity to use them, Turks, and also Germans, invariably surrendered on the galloping approach of steel. AIRMEN'S HAPPY TIME. Airmen, including the Australian Flying Corps, continue ceaselessly to lharass the beaten enemy with bombs and ma-chine-guns. Their supremacy is so complete that not a single Hun plane has crossed our lines during' the whole operations. The cavalry advance was so rapid that all the enemy anti-aircraft guns were put out of action on the first day, and our pilots have been enjoying wonderful immunity from ohstile lire. They have done as they liked at very low attitudes, and since the fight began only two Australian airmen have been wounded. A few Australian airmen have been engaged in a fascinating enterprise among our Arab allies tar east of the Jordan. They lived with the Arags, and did much effective bombing and reconnaissance work in places beyond the range of the air force on this side. STARTLING THE ARABS. One day they "crashed" two Hun planes among the Arabs, who were frantic with delight and excitement They also drove down three others. This adventure had a profound effect on ou allies, and spurred them to continue and BYe » to incase tbair fiue efforts.