FRONTIER WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1919, Page 5

FRONTIER WAR.

THE CAMPAIGN IN INDIA. FIGHTING CONTINUES. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 21, 5.5 p.m. Allahabad, Dec. 20. Our forces advanced five miles into the Mashud country from Jankola since the 18th inst., capturing positions after stiff fighting. Twenty aeroplanes accompanied the column, bombing and using machine guns on the country ahead. The chief \ surprise for the Mahsuds was our new 3.7 howitzer, which is a most compact and convenient gun. Much sniping is going on. We suffered casualties in an attack on •Surkai Ridge. An official communique, reporting the failure of negotiations, states that considerable opposition is expected to our advance on Makin.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Asan. BIGGEST BATTLE OF CAMPAIGN. BRITISH SUCCESS WITH LIGHT CASUALTIES. Received Dec. 22, 12.5 a.m. Bombay, Dec. 2-0. A Berajat column from Jandola on the 18tli engaged in the biggest battle the expedition has thus far produced. The Sarkat ridge was held by two thousand Mahsuds, while the entrance to Shahur and the hills westward of Jandola, were held by a mixed force of Wazirs and Mahsuds. The enemy was driven from the ridge in the direction of Spinakaikuch and the hills, which we occupied. Artillery and aeroplanes continue to harass the tribesmen, who suffered heavily. Our casualties were elight.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. MAHSUDS SUFFER SEVERELY. Allahabad, Dec. 18. The Mahsuds attacked the outposts after they had decamped from Jandola. They displayed considerable bravery and organisation. Despite a hail of bullets from Lewis guns, rifles and shells from mountain batteries, at one time they advanced in extended order in the approved fashion, attempting to rush our position. British officers state that many of these tribesmen are deserters from our frontier militia. The enemy suffered severely.