The Turks, with German support, on Thursday week made a
resolute attempt to retake Jerusalem. One Turkish corps attacked from the north along the Nablus road, while another corps attacked from the direction of Jericho. The London Territorials holding the hills north of the city withstood for many hours repeated Turkish assaults, and finally routed the enemy with a bayonet charge. General Allenby profited by the confusion to deliver a brilliant counter-attack on the Turkish right flank, and drove back the enemy for two and a half miles over very difficult country. On Friday week he ordered a general advance along the Nablus road. IBy Sunday last his troops had occupied Bethel, twelve miles north of Jerusalem, as well as the chief hill-positions on either side of the road. Seven hundred and fifty prisoners were taken by Saturday last, and a thousand Turkish dead were counted. The Turkish attack not only failed completely, but enabled us to advance northward more rapidly than if the Turks had remained on the defensive. Jerusalem is now so far behind our advanced posts that it is free from the sound of gunfue. .
Previous page
