NEW ZEALANDERS IN THE BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 177, 16 April 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS IN THE BATTLE

GALLANT DEEDS ON THE FIELD "IMMEDIATE" REWARDS FOR VALOUR (Special from the Official War Corres. pondent, Captain Malcolm Boss.) By. Cablegram, April 11. During the past few days there has been little fighting on our front, but the artillery on both sides has been active. Mist and rain have made observation difficult, but prisoners state that the German offensive will bo renewed when the weather improves. Meanwhile we are strengthening tho position we hold. As the days pass k.nd we gain moro information, the more certnin it appears that wo inflicted very heavy casualties on tho enemy. In places his dead were thick in the trenches, and there aro many strewn about the open country. The spirit of our men is simply splendid, and even when Telief is duo many would prefer to remain in -the front lines. There are instances of men suffering from trench feet asking doctors to give them whale oil to rub in, so that they might hasten back to their comrate in the fifing-lino. We may uot be out of; tho wood yet, but the gallantry and determination of the Now Zealnnders is such 'as to justify the opinion that unless the enemy comes on in overwhelming force, or under greatly suporior gunfire, ho will havo a bad lime in any attack on our lines. Individual Exploits.

One continues to Lear many instances of individual prowess nnd gallantry. A northern member of Parliament lias again distinguished himself. After weary marches, with little rest or sleep, he led his company into action in splondid style, ami when govern! of his men wero killed and wounded "by shell-fire, ho ivent under heavy machine-gun fire to their assistance, and on his own broad shoulders carried ono out to safety. A corporal, who already wcare tho Military Medal, hold, with six men, a dilfi'cult position under sholl-fire until asnistance arrived, and, though wounded, refused to leave iho battlefield until ho was ordered away ly his commander. A lieutenant, who was directing an assault against a strong position held by fiix machine-guns and over forty men, organised three bombing attaoks, und

led his men with groat dash to the final assault, capturing the guns and twentyfive prisoners. He then directed the consolidation of the v-aptured position, A private who was the leading man of a ''mopping-up party," killed ten Germans in as many minutes. These aro only a few of many similar deeds of heroism and initiative.

The Lewis gunners had a busy time from the commencement of the fighting, and when the enemy resistance vas broken a still busier time, firing into tho retreating enemy. They wont boldly into action, and tome continued working their guns after they were wounded. One fired until his gun was blown from his hands, then got another gun and resumed firing. All this was done in the face of very determined fighting on the part of tho enemy.

The German officers showed greator bravery and initiative than usual. An officer, extracts from whose diary were given in n, previous message, came on with seven of his men with a cano in one hand and a waterproof over Ms other arm, right up to our wire. Ono youngster, a Rifleman, climbed over the parapet, and, pointing a revolver at him, claimed him as his prisoner. Tho German officer knocked the revolver aside with his cane. He was a big man, over six feet, but ihe young Now Zealander got a shot in and wounded him in the arm. Still he refused to surrender, but the Lewis gunners then got on to the party, and lilled the officer and several of his men. Other German officers directed bombing parties from the parapet. Yet, in i'pite of all this, our men proved more than a match for thorn, and in the "nd prevailed against a greatly superior force. Decorations on the Field. The following immediate rewards have already been published in Orders:— D.5.0.-Rflmn. C. A. Tucker, Rflmn. A. L. Sturmey. Military Medal—Cpl. G. Slater. Cpl. ,T. Moffitt, Pte. J. M'Fraser, Pte. C. 0. M'Coskrie, Pto. W. Hickey, Set A. Roive, Pte. C. Couch, Pte. H. Flowerday, Pte. A. E. Bishoprick, Sgt. J.- IT. Bntllpy, T,.-Cpl. E. W. Glogoski, 1,.-Cpl. A. If. Gill. Pie. V. G. Gate, Sfit. C. "R. Dowsing, Sgt. R. G. Hart, Rut. T,. Thomas, Pto. A. JJnrtin, Cpl. C. I?. Wilson, Pio. 13. If. Smith, I't«. W. Todd, d>l.. C. A. Ryder, Pte" I, W. Simons, Pto. .T. T. Tiirley, Cm. J. 11. Bain, all of Auckland; Pto. W. G. C. Ware. Sgt. R. Hatton, L.-Cpl. J. Hobsou, Cpl. H. M. MTarlane, Pl:e. 11. ,T. Willis. Pto. A. Kindberg, Cpl. A. Smylie, all of Wellington.