File 756/1917 Pt 2-3 ‘ARAB BULLETIN Nos 66-114’ [‎151r] (310/834)

and six machine guns, as well as a large quantity of telegraph
and telephone gear. Arab casualties are estimated at sixty
killed, including three officers, and 120 wounded, including
eighteen officers. French gunners took an honourable part in
the attack on Maan.
1 he objectives of these operations, which are proceeding, are
two, viz. the capture of Maan and its garrison, and the definite
isolation of the southern part of the Hejaz railway, by a
permanent severance of communication with the north. YY bile
the former of these has, up to the time of writing, failed to
materialise, the latter would seem to have been gained, providing
that the Arabs take advantage of the opportunity created and by
persistent harrying prevent the Turks from repairing the very
extensive damage between Maan and Mudawwara. If operations
to this effect are vigorously conducted, railway communication
between Medina and the north should now permanently cease, a
result which would entail the withdrawal of all 1 urks south or
Maan into Medina and other isolated stations where they could
be closely invested and eventually starved out. At the woist tie
fact that the Southern Hejaz proved itself totally unable to
provide assistance to the jeopardized garrison of Maan is o gooc
augury for the future, and the result of actions of the last two
weeks cannot fail to have a depressing effect on the morale of
the Turkish troops and a correspondingly beneficial ettect on
the Arabs.
Southern Operations.
In the neighbourhood o£ Medina a patrol of the Masruh
Harb have surprised a working-party of the enemy, o w nc i
they Maio!- Davenport reports that on April 13 an electric mine
had been laid south of Bowat but that no tram ^ p» S ed [o.
five davs. Sherif All reports that a party undei bhent bhakei
attacked the railway between Bowat and Hafira, destroying
”f,u' ther^vioIent floods are reported, and have damaged the
line at various points from Medina to Meshed. . .
An accidental explosion has occurred in a munition store at
o, -f Abdullah’s camp. Two old mountain guns and two
mthL “longing the French, were damaged by the
subsequent |re.^ ^ imder bis command have
destroyed 700 rails and two culverts between Dar el-Hamra an
Matalh Between Mai alii and Abu Taka they damaged the line,
destroyed three culverts, killed eight Turks and took on e prismnei.
Between Meshed and Bedai they are reported to have destroyed
killed seven Turks and captured six mules.
Reports are current that Fakhreddin Pasha An Ottoman title used after the names of certain provincial governors, high-ranking officials and military commanders. is seriously ill
at Medina.