THE FIGHT AT GINCHY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2875, 13 September 1916, Page 5

THE FIGHT AT GINCHY

CHARGE OF THE IRISH BRIGADE

STIRRING INCIDENTS

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. (Rec. September 12, 5.5 p.m.) • London, September 11. Mr. Philip Gibbs, describing the work of tho Irish Brigade at tho capturo of Ginchy, says: 'The attack began at five o'clock in tho afternoon. Tho Irish charged, cheering and shouting. They rushed across in four waves, in open order, at fifty yards' intervals. Tlio left flank reached tlio first haltingplaco in the village, a distance of six hundred yards, in eight minutes —almost a record. The'right flank was' checked by three machine-guns, and many of tie men fell, while German marksmen sniped the officers. It was a serious situation, unless the machinegunners could be killed. The troops insido tho right flank executed a brilliant piece of tactics, swung round, and attacked the machine-guns by an encircling movement. The German gun teams were obliged to bolt a distance of three hundred yards with their weapons to other trenches, where they resumed their firing until knocked out by tho Irish trench mortars.' "Tho right wing thon joined the left, and both advanced through the village, in tho centra of wliich', amidst dugouts and tunnels, stood an old farm, in which again were machine-guns. Tho Irish brought up thoir trench mortars, and' after a brief storm _of high explosives silenced tho machine-guns. In all kinds of places in the northern half of tho village were hidden snipers. Theso riflemen had especially tunnelled concrete chambers, equipped with loopholes on the ground level, but these reckless Irishmen swept over the place, searching out their enemies. Tho grimmest hand-to-hand fighting took place, in the shell-craters and dug-outs. Tho Bavarian defenders, who had newly arrived in tho firing line, were brave and determined, and fought savagely with bombs and rifles, and even bayonets. The whole thing was over quickly. Tho Dublin men leading tho chargo woro soon through tho village.

"Thero was one menace which might have led to disaster, but for tho quick wit' and lighting gonius. Tho Irish Brigade's astounding success in capturing the enemy's front of nine hundred yards to a depth of nearly a mile had left them with an oxposed flank. _ A young sapper officer quickly realised the situation, took command of a body of mon, dug a defensive flank trench, and organised strong posts against any counter-attack. The Brigade's achTeveuicnt was splendid, remembering that there wero no supporting troops on either flank. The men who wero ordered to remain in tho village almost wept with rage. As a practical instance of the Irish fighting spirit—the three servants of tho Brigade Staff temporarily deserted. One of them left a. note on his master's table: 'As I could not bo at Guillemont, I am going to Ginchy, bo ploaso excuse.' "