HC Deb 20 March 1917 vol 92 cc603-4
Mr. ASQUITH

May I ask the Government to tell us whether there is any news from the seat of war?

Mr. BONAR LAW

I am very glad to be able to read the following communiqué which we have received from the Commander-in-Chief in Egypt: We advanced our troops a distance of fifteen miles from Rafa to Wadi Ghuzzeh (five miles south of Gaza) to cover construction of railway. On the 26th and 27th we were heavily engaged in this neighbourhood with a force of about 20,000 of the enemy. We inflicted very heavy losses on him and have taken 900 prisoners, including the General Commanding and whole Divisional Staff of the 53rd Turkish Division. This figure includes four Austrian officers and thirty-two Austrian and German other ranks. We have also captured two Austrian 4 2 howitzers. All troops behaved splendidly, especially troops of Welsh. Kent, Sussex, Hereford, Middlesex and Surrey Regiments, and the Anzac and Yeomanry mounted troops.