BATTLE INCIDENTS ON THE SQMME

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2883, 22 September 1916, Page 5

BATTLE INCIDENTS ON THE SQMME

MUD, RAIN, ANI) MIST EXPLOITS OF OVERSEA TROOPS / Australian* Zealand Oablo Association. London, Septombor 20. Mr. Philip fiibbß writes: "In surih foul weather wo soom to ?>a back to winter. The mud, rain, and mist i are making it impossible for the aeroplanes to see, tho gunners to shoot, or the infantry to signal their whereabouts. But it is a gjreat sight to watch tho troops marching in thoir glistening waterproofs and steel helmets into tho firing line, and utterly refusing to surrender their good spirits. • 1 have been spending four days among tho men who have' broken the line at Flers. Tho 'most striking discovery is that tho groat deed was done by 'the newest troops. Some of the Derby recruits woro engaged. The older hands wondered how they would stick it; but tho nowoomers leapt into the Gorman trenches with tho spirit of tho oldest fighters. ,l The Londoners did gloriously, having one of the hardest points to attack. The. young civil servants and city olerks fought sternly, and endured everything with stoicism./ Tho Canadians won great glory on Friday and Saturday'. They came from the Ypros salient to the Somme, determined to get thoir own back. The attack was finely organised. When the facts are known it will be regarded as e great military achievement. Tho FroncjiCanadian unit was particularly 1 brilliant. It captured a German stronghold, and took hundreds of; prisoners. The Now Zealanders, clean-out, handsome fellows, followed the great example tho Australians had set in the fight around' Pozieres. Tho New Zealanders' gallant charge st'dawn ou Friday will long he remembered-. They, crossed No Man's Land, went cverthe German trenches, and out 'into tho blue,' in pursuit of ' the retreating enemy;"