BATTLE INCIDENTS ON THE SOMME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2821, 12 July 1916, Page 7

BATTLE INCIDENTS ON THE SOMME

THE FIGHT FOR CONTALMAISON FRIGHTFUL HAVOC BY THE BRITISH GUNS Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. July 11, 6.20 p.m.) London, July 10.' Mr. Philip Gibbs, describing the attack on Contalmaison, states that "the Germans wore heavily shelling Maraetz Village, but even that was a health resort compared with the German positions in the neighbourhood of Contalmaison. Our guns wore putting up a terrific barrage round Contalmaison, and the heavy guns far behind threw shells in great numbers from half the points of the compass to fall upon this one stretch of ground about a milo broad. Every kind of gun, howitzers, seventy-fives, and our own 18-pounders flayed the dovil over the German lines. "At about eleven o'clock in the morning 'the firo was lifted, and put a dense barrago further back. There was a hush, just for a second, as though tho guns were taking hroath. Then the tumult began again, whilo the infantry advanced through the Binoke, and, a little later, our men were in the village. A Disappointment. "It was a magnificent success, aud not dearly bought, but when tho position looked full .of promise a disappointing time came. The Germans were reported to be streaming out of the Mamotz Wood towards Contalmaison. The enemy's guns were shelling tho place; tho rain fell heavily, and our men, who had fought so well and long, wero exhausted. Owing ■ to the difficulty of communication the situation becamo confused, and wo had to ovaouate the village in the oroning. "We aro now holding the outskirts in a sound position for a further attack. A large number of prisoners came straggling in, in miserable little groups. 'Tliey were tho remnants of tho Prussian Guards, which are S0 i utterly broken that they no longor exist as a fighting unit. Their morale, also, is nmashed; ovon the officors admit that they have no more stomach for tho fight." Two Episodes. "Our battalions took possession of a horseshoe trench south-west of Contalmaison and hero a curious affair happened in a trench running out -of tho liorseslioo towards the German redoubt fri tno westward. Part of this trenoh was hold b.v our trooos on the left and part

by our troops on the right. Both believed that they held all the trench, but the truth was tllat a pap in the middle was still held by party of Germans with boinbs, and presently made themselves unpleasant. Orders were sent to clear the trench, which was done by the troops on the left. Then orders were given to clear the trench on) the right, which was a strong redoubt. The Germans defended it tenaciously, aud it changed hands threo times before we finally held it.

"An extraordinary, cand, for the enemy, a terrible thing happened. Some battalions of Prussian Guards, hold in reserve, were hurriedly brought from Valenciennes, and thrown, on to the battlefield without maps, guidance, or local knowledge. They advanced to meet our men, and walked_ by an awful stroke of chance straight into a terrific barrage. A whole battalion was cut to pieces, and many of the others suffered frightful tilings. Prisoners stated that they lost three-quarters of the strength in casualties. When the barrage lifted our troops swept without great trouble into Coiitalmaison and the Bailiff Wood to the north-west.

"The Germans were surprised at tho strength and deadly accuracy of our artillery, niul more surprised at the dash of the infantry when tliey heard that it belonged to the new army. Tlie.v thought it bolonged to thn Guards. Thoy were glad to )>e taken prisoner."