New Britain herald., 1916-08-07
TURKS TRAPPED AND
 ROUTED AT ROMAN
Thirty-Six German Officers Among S,145 Prisoners Captured DRIVEN BACK INTO DESERT
One-fOurth of Ottomans' Effectives Destroyed and Others Pushed Out Into Blazing Sands-English We'll Prepared For Attack

London, Aug. 7, 12:5O. D. m.-The number of unwounded Turks captured by the British at the battle of Romani was 3,145, according to an official statement issued by the war office to- day. The statement says that the Turks were pursued for eighteen miles. The pursuit continued beyond Katia, which is twenty three miles east of the Suez canal.
 The statement follows:
 "In reference to the fighting in the katla district, the general officer com mandin g-in-chie of Egypt reports that our artillery, rifle and machine gun fire was most effective, and that the Turkish losses in killed or wOund- ed appear from all accounts to have been very heavy. Later on the eve- ming of Aug. territorial infantry gal 1antly carried a strong rear guard po sitiOn. Our pursuit of the Turks has been continued for a distance of eigh- teen miles, and they are now well clear of the Katia- Umaisha Basin.
 'The number of unwounded prison CTS taken by us now amounts to forty five officers and 5000 men and they are a very fine body of men,.
 Led Trap.
 A description of how the Turks were drawn into a trap at Romani by British cavalry is given in a Cairo despatch to the Exchange Telegraph company.
 The despatch says the cavalry was sent out to entice the enemy who had shown a disposition te assume the Of fensive. The British horsemen fought an admirable rear guard action, says the despatch, drawing on the Turks until their Hanks were turned by the mounted division A whole brigade was compelled to surrender. Among the prisoners were seventy Germans, including thirty-six officers. A com plete battery of German guns was also taken.
 "The net results of the battle of Romani are the destruction of more than One-fOurth of the Turkish ef fectives and the pushing of the re- mainder out into the blazing desert beyond the Katia Oases,' said Major General r. B. Maurice, director of military operations of the imperial general staff, in explaining to the As sociated Press today the significance of the latest operations in the near east.
 You will recall" he continued, .that in the previous attack on the canal we were busily engaged else where Consequently we were acting on the defensive in Egypt, in positions prepared for that purpose behind the canal Since then we have advanced our position into the desert as last as physical conditions warranted.
 Prepared for Attack.
 "The Katia Gases possess a sur prising quantity of water, but it is brackish and has disastrous effect on Europeans. The Turks, however, sui fer no evil effects from it's use. This fact gave the enemy a considera ble advantage. However, by advancing slowly, we established ourselves firm lv in entrenched positions behind Ro- mani and awaited the Turkish advance from El Arish, an advance of which we had constant news from our air service.
 '"The Turks not only made a from tai attack on our entrenched posi- | tions, but attempted to get around our | left flank. Our artillery, infantry and cavalry co-operated not only in repel- l ling, but in attacking the enemy, with | such satisfactory results tht he IS 1 liable to have an uncohlfOrta ble time | re-crOSSng the desert at this season | of the year. Our advance has reacheo | within a short distance of the edge or l the Katia Gases.
 1 "There is no question the Germans | encouraged the latest Turkish at 1 tempt on the canal in an effort to pre- l vent Us from sending any of our forces l to the western front, but the disastrous l result shows we have provided ade- l quately for the safety of the Suez | canal In accomplishing this we sul- | fered comparatively few casualties | many of which consisted of slight | wounds"
 | OmDIXN 0DDEDND TAI DIIu