NEW ZEALAND TRENCH RAIDERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3069, 3 May 1917, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND TRENCH RAIDERS

A BRILLIANT EXPLOIT

MANY GERMANS KILLED

(From Captain Malcolm Ross, TV a Correspondent with the N. 2. Force in the Field.) Northern France, February 23, 1917. At dawn yesterday morning the big gest and most successful raid od th German trenches as yet undertaken b; New Zealanders was carried out on i sector of the front that we aro at pre sent holding. I have already sent b; sable such details of the raid as cai be published. There is'much more o in interesting nature that might h vritten about it, but not without giv ng information that would be valuabl ,o the enemy, so there the matter mus est till the' war is over. To- L day, in a muddy paddock oehm< ho lines, the raiding party with it, >fficers was assembled to hear a_fey rords of congratulation from its Divi iional Commander, and to be inspects nd addressed by the Corps Com nander. The men, who hud goiT hrough ono of tlie most trying experi mcea that can fall to tho lot of a sol tier, looked none tho worse for thei: trenuous and exciting adventure, ex •,ept that their uniforms were, some rhat torn and soiled. Some other vho had gaily set out upou the vcnturi lad fought their last fight, and thi i'ar would, concern them not any more Hhers, again, were in hospital, or,lb; ;liis time, well on their way 'Blighty"—a journey that even t rounded soldier looks forward to. Tho Divisional Commander took til ipportunity of saying a few words ho officers and men concerncd. A ow me," he said, "to thank you al or the work you have done and thi redit you have brought to New Zca and. AVe on the Staff can only se hat' the arrangements are made ti he best of our ability; it is for yoi o do tho work and to take the risk when vou have done overythmj icssible to 'achieve success, there l: itill the element of luck to come in 'he' element of luck is a considerabli actor, and we must remember tha rhen some of our raids are not as sue essful as wo anticipated. That lucl las on this occasion been yours, bu rith it there haß been arduous prepara ion and strenuous work, and I woul< ike to thank you again for all yoi lave done." - _' General Godley, after a careful in peotion, addressed the raiders as fol ows:—"Major r , officers, and non ommissioned of the Aucklan< 3attalion, I liave come here to-day t< ee you and to congratulate you upoi he very fine performance done by tin mttalion in the raid which you navi ust accomplished onthe German tren hes.- You have received the congratu ations not only of the Commander o ,ho Army under whom wo an icrving, but also of the Commander-in jhief of the British Armies in France vhich is a very high honour for an; lattalion to receive; and I wish to sa; ;o you. as Commander of the New Zea and Expeditionary Force, that I an r ory proud indeed to command such j jody of men. lam sure the Divi iional Commander also is very proui ;o have In his division a battalion tha ian do such a very fine performanc is you did. Thero is' nothing tha ■alls more upon men for dualities o induranco and courage than -thesi 'aids. Tliey can only be a succoss i J great deal of work; intelligence, an( >ains is devoted to tliem, and I kno\ .hat in this case 110 trouble was sparei 0 perfect the arrangements. All 0 'ou worked very hard to contribute t-i :he successful result which has bcei ittained. Ido not think that all o r ou perhaps realise the very great im lortance of these raids in helping 11 ;o win the war. I regret very mud ,he casualties that have occurred-11 he battalion. I know that you killei ■cry large numbers of tho_ enemy, am hat you had the satisfaction of bring ng back .one officer and forty-threi ither ranks as prisoners, which is : 'orv fine performance. Ono othc rorcl: Without the artillery you all, liink, know that it would be impos ible to accomnlish such a successfu interprise.. Tho role of tho artiller; s a very difficult ono indeed. It re luires a very great deal not only 0 raining and practice, but also con inuous° hard work and endurance 01 heir part, and you all ( know that thi lighest praise the artillery can wisl or is tho thanks of the infantry. ,m quite suro that all of you are yer; ihankful to Colonel and 111 leavy artillery and to Colonel - am ■our own field artillery for the most ox client support they gave you. Yoi rill all, I know, agree that the artilery share with you the success of this ■nterpriso. I can only say again that am proud to have under my command battalion that has done as this batdion lias done.