His cavalry has closed every exit, except one, and this latter cannot be reached by many of the enemy, and in a wide encircling movement our horsemen brilliantly broke down all attempts to put up delaying rearguard fights. We have taken prisoner forces which, when counted, will probably amount to 20,000. Our cavalry has captured Nazareth, Nablus, Biesan, and Amerin. They had one charge on the Plain of Armageddon and another at Jenin. They secured an enormous quantity of valuable booty, and we have not heard the last of their efforts. Once our infantry had broken through the southern defences our cavalry had great opportunities, while our infantry has continued to display superb skill and endurance in driving the enemy from the hill between the Plain of Sharon and the Judean Plateau. Our cavalry movements, perfectly timed, have been a masterly success, their unfailing regular fulfilling of the plans laid down by the Staff suggesting that they are regulated by clock.
Blood transfusion introduced
The lives of several Australians have been saved during the last few days by the adoption throughout the Australian dressing stations of a regular system of blood transfusion (says a London cable message to the Australian papers under date of 8th inst.). Many wounded who would otherwise have survived have died in the past owing to heavy loss of blood putting them in a condition in which they could not stand the strain of an operation. A system has now been organised at the Australian dressing stations whereby in such cases the blood of another man can immediately be injected, and an operation performed, where otherwise death would be certain. There is no difficulty whatever to find men to volunteer to give their blood to a comrade.
Plea for Samoan medals
An "Ex-Main Body Man" writes to the New Zealand Times:- "On reading a recent issue of your newspaper I noticed that the King has given his sanction to the striking of a medal, to be given to all who took part in the Gallipoli campaign. This is all right, and I, honouring the boys who took part in that memorable event, think it quite in order, but would like to know why the boys who were the first to leave New Zealand, the Samoan advance party, are to be overlooked. Certainly, I suppose they will get the medal given to all who have taken part in this great struggle; but why should they not receive special recognition, as well as the Gallipoli heroes? These men, as soon as war was declared, rushed to volunteer for service, in aid of the Motherland, and left New Zealand, not knowing where they were going."
Snow in Maniototo
A very severe blizzard set in on Tuesday evening, and continued all Wednesday (says the Mount Ida Chronicle), followed by a sharp frost (12deg) at night. The snap will cause a heavy death-rate among newly-born lambs. This winter has been exceptionally severe on stock, and no doubt mustering will reveal a heavy death-rate on high country. — ODT, 24.9.1918.
• COPIES OF PICTURE AVAILABLE FROM ODT FRONT OFFICE, LOWER STUART ST, OR WWW.OTAGOIMAGES.CO.NZ
