One of the most notable of these was certainly that experienced on Wednesday last, when General Allenby launched the important movement, a record of the results of which constitutes a gratifying feature of the cable messages.
Nine months have elapsed since the Allies struck the prestige of the Turks a heavy blow and gave the civilised world cause for rejoicing, by their capture of Jerusalem. But, the sensation created by that event having died down, we have heard little for many months concerning operations in Palestine.
To outward appearance, explained in part by the tropical weather, the opposed forces have for some time past had to be content with watching one another closely without finding opportunity of striking any effective blow. The spell has now, however, been broken in a manner which confers the highest lustre on British arms.
Turkish armies decimated
London: Palestine communique: Having seized the passages of the Jordan at Jisr-ed-Damieh on Sunday morning the enemy's last avenue of escape westward of the river was closed.
The Seventh and Eighth Turkish armies have virtually ceased to exist. Their entire transport has been captured. By 8 o'clock yesterday 25,000 prisoners and 260 guns had been counted, but many prisoners and much material have not yet been enumerated. Forty thousand Turks have been surrounded, and it is not believed that they have any chance of escape.
Mr W.T. Massey, writing from Palestine Headquarters on Sunday, states: ''There is still a great deal of clearing-up to do, but the first battle is practically over.
General Allenby has secured one of the most complete victories in the war. A few unimportant enemy sections may have got away in driblets, but the Turkish armies have ceased to exist as armies. The troops have been killed or captured, and they have lost almost their entire war material of every description.''
Illusions about flying
According to Lieutenant-colonel J. L. Sleeman, I.G.S., there are some popular illusions regarding flying. In an address on aviation at the Canterbury Officers' Club he said he had come to the conclusion that the average man's impressions of the sensations felt on a first flight were erroneous.
No sensations were really felt on a calm day. The sensation at the start was really one of annoyance at the noises of the machine. There was a general impression that a flight caused giddiness; but such was not felt at a height from the ground. Swinging was felt very slightly, and bumping was uncomfortable only on occasions.
The sensation of flying was not at all uncomfortable. It was no use looking from the ground to see in which direction the wind was blowing. The first duty on the western front before dawn was to send an aeroplane up 15,000 feet to record the winds and their velocity and direction.
Destructive hawks
The increasing ravages of hawks in and around Mercer are causing farmers considerable anxiety. The bird has entered on a new phase of destruction so far as its habits in the district go by pouncing down on lambs and killing them.
- ODT, 25.9.1918.
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