e last week of January, 1915, the three Turkish columns advancing
on Egypt, the northern marching toward Kantara, the central and main
advance headed for Ismailia, and the southern, whose objective was
Suez, had been located, and were under surveillance of allied
aeroplanes. By January 26 advanced guards of the central and southern
columns were discovered near the canal. The central column was at Moia
Harab, and some thousand men were also discovered at Wadi Um Muksheib.
The southern column was found to be located at Bir Mabeiuk. On this
same date British troops engaged the northern Turkish column a few
miles east of El Kantara, losing in the skirmish five men and one
officer. It was now evident to the British that the Turks were about
to begin the main attack on the canal. Consequently the Auckland and
Canterbury Battalions were dispatched to Ismailia; the Otago and
Wellington Battalions were sent to El Kubri, and the New Zealand
Infantry Brigade was sent up by rail from Cairo.

While this was transpiring on land, H.M.S. _Ocean_, _Swiftsure_,
_Clio_, and _Minerva_ joined the French warship _D'Entrecasteaux_ and
H.M.S. _Hardinge_ and two torpedo boats already stationed in the
canal. For three or four days following there were numerous skirmishes
between enemy outposts and British patrols, the most effective work
being wrought by allied aeroplanes and hydroplanes, which dropped
bombs on the Turks as they swept over them and killed many camels and
men. Lieutenant Patridge of the Indian Army Reserve of Officers and a
French pilot lost their machine outside the British lines through the
engine breaking down, and on returning to camp at night were shot and
killed by a British picket.

On February 1, 1915, Djemel Pasha's main force occupied Katayib el
Kheil, some low hills east of the southern end of Lake Timsah. The
Turkish commander had every reason to feel satisfied with the progress
he made in bringing his army across the desert in good condition, and
with only the loss of a few deserters from among the irregulars. As
many Tripolitan, Algerian, and Indian pilgrims had been forced to join
the army by the persuasion of the leaders of the irregular troops, the
Turkish force had increased in numbers.

Djemel Pasha's plan was to attack the canal with the main force, made
up of the Twenty-fifth Division, and all, or part of the Twenty-third
Division, which were to force their way between Serapeum and Tussum,
while his right