IN THE BATTLES OF MARCH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 219, 4 June 1918, Page 6

IN THE BATTLES OF MARCH

NEW ZEALAND'S PART FINE WORK BY NORTHERN MEN (From Captain Malcolm Ross, "War Correspondent with the New Zealand . Forces in the Field.) France, April 8. By. cablegram I have already forwarded the main details of the part taken by the New Zealandors in the great battle which commenced towards tho end of the last month, and which is still raging, though in a somewhat more spasmodic fashion, along a considerable portion of" the front.' It remains now to supplement these accounts with some details. As I have already stated, the exigencies of the situation wero such that some of tho units had to go into action irrespective of the units to which they belonged, but this sseuis to have made little if any dift'orenco in tho vigour and enthusiasm with which the troops went forward. Men from Northcm units distinguished themselves in the first days of the fighting, while individual officers and men behaved with great gallantry. I have already mentioned in my cabled messages several instances of special bravery, and, meantime, there is nothing further to add in regard to these. In due course, no doubt, you will hear of them again in particular detail from official sources. As theso, Northern men. »vit,h some of the Rifles, caniu un. to tho front, the situation was undergoing some change, M. that at 'the last moment there had to be an alteration of plans. With the units that went into action there' was also a machine-gun company, and a trench mortar battery armed with rifles. Tho troops went forward at half-past five, and for the first half-hour the resistance was slight, although fire was opened by enemy machine-gunners the moment bur troops began to approach what was known as the Apple Treo Spur. The advanco continued without a great deal of opposition until a point ■was reached about two hundred yards west of a sunken road. Then the casualties began to be rather heavy, but tho troops pushed on, and established themselves in old trenches and communication trenches some two hundred yards east of the road. At this stages the attack was suspended. During the night the enemy made two determined bombing attacks against the left of our front, but were driven off on each occasion. 'The following day passed quietly. By tho time night fell some 71 prisoners avid 11 machine-guns had been captured. Next morning the New Zealand commander on the spot, having psrsonally ' reconnoitred a portion of .his front held by Auckland troops, came to the conclusion that it was imperative to pnshi his lino forward at this point, and, at ?, Tun. on the 30th, the attack on La Signy rami was launched, men of tho Wellingtons find- Rifles co-operating. In this attack excellent.work was done by an Auckland officer, who personally supervised the assembly of his men iu an awkward position, and when during the attack . a party on one flank was held up in a communication trench he immedi- . ately proceeded to the front and directed it forward. He then proceeded to the other flank of his command, and, under heavy machine-gun fire, gave them his personal assistance. Both officers and men were inspired by his coolness and resource.

The attack was' launched under an ex- ' cellent artillery barrage, the infantry having to cross about four hundred yards ' of open, level country. With a splendid Tush they, went forward, and' in four minutes they were in the enemy trench, the barrage at the 6ame. moment lifting to beyond the objective. Here a large number of the enemy wove discovered cowering in their trenches to avoid our artillery lire. The reply from tho enemy's guns was not heavy, and what there was of it absolutely missed our men owing to the quickness with which tliey charged forward. Machine-gun fire came from the left and also irom the " right, but the New Zea landers were on to the machine-guns in many cases before they could get properly into action. Cases actually occurred of men jumping i into a trench and killing the Uermau gunners just as the barrage had lilted I and as the latter were endeavouring to get their machines into action. The success of this brilliant little attack was no doubt duo to the element of surprise and the magnificent dash with which our infantry crossed tho open. Often our men rushed the enemy niachinelguns with the greatest bravery. In the attack on this farm a sergeant went for one gun's crew single-handed, shot tho crew, and put the gun out of action. It was a gun that for the time being had stopped the advance at that particular point, and had put several of our men out of action. A. few members of a company that ■was held up in a communication trench bad to bomb their waj; forward, and were greatly assisted by a Stokes section that pushed up in the rear and absolutely disorganised tho enemy' resistance. Great Hau! of Prisoners. Practically every man in the enemy ranks who resisted was killed, but nevertheless we got a great haul of prisoners and machine-guns—2l)s of the former and 110 of the latter along the whole frontage of not more (Liu 1500 yards. Among the prisoners were elements of four regiments. Apparently the enemy had puslicd his machine-guns lorward during the original advance into the gap that existed with a view to enabling the masses of his infantry, to get through at a later stage. The New. tfealaudcrs arrived in time to prevent that, but at one stage the situation must have been critical.- Whether or not -he can still push through remains to be seen. Last night he bombarded our artillery positions, and the bombardment seemed as if it might be the prelude to another, infantry attack. i=o tar nothing has come of it, and, fortunately,' owing to the precautions taken, ' our losses amongst the batteries were very slight indeed. Needless to say, ourown guns were not idle during this strafe. , „ , -N , In the attack on the farm, about which I have been writing, some of the Eilles plaved an honourable part. They co-operated, working up two converging trenches towards a strong enemy position that had, just previous to their advance, been kept under strong fire by En-dish and New Zealand howitzers. The strong point was eventually captured by a converging movement of bombing parties from the Rifles' and the Aucklnnds. Others of the Eiiles had to bomb up communication trenches to a strong point that was causing trouble. It was not till evening that this point was reported to bo in our hands and touch established throughout. Our barrage was .made more effective - by the aid of two of our machine-gun 6ections. From • what prisoners said ' afterwards this lire was very effective. British heavv artillery "roups also lent most valuable assistance, pur commanders sneak in terms of the highest praise of the efforts of their - colonel to <to everything possible at all times to help the New Zonlnnders in their operalions, both -: n filling tho gap and in holding it. Valuable" Gorman maps and documents were also captured, amongst tho latter being a report from a rfsriTr.entnl commander stating that his casualties had boon extremely severe, ■ and that he must have immediate reinforcements. Individual Exploits. During ihe oarly stages of those operatitns a New Zealand officer, already noted for his bravery and his great strength, atfain distinguished hinißclf. 1/ike many others lie had boon travelling for five days with little.rest or sleep, yet took his company into action in good condition ond perfect order. On March 27. when several of his men were killed and wounded by shell-fire, he went to the spot where the wounded lay and attended to them. Lifting one man on his broad shoulders he carried him to Fnfchv During the whole tune he was working with the wounded Hie puce was being swept with heavy machine-gun lire \ young oltiear, who had chargo of the Jeff of (ho nit.vk, took his company into eclion in a" admirable manner. In the e*rly stages of the attack he was wound■Ji. but continued lo lead his men. When thev were hold up by machine-gun fire he personally directed them, and largely owing to his initiative and woluess tho

objectivo was finally reached. Just before this ho was again woitmled, ami had to bo carried from the held.

A corporal, who had already won 11m Military dledal, did line work, and when ninny of his men were casualties ho held, with six men, a difficult position under shell-lire till others came "up. Though wounded, ho refused to leave the field of battlo until ordered away by his commander.

A lieutenant, who was directing the assault against an enenij post that held between 40 and 50 men'and six machineguns, organised throe bombing attacks and then led his men with groat dash in :i final assault that succeeded in getting the guns and tweniy-iive prisoners. He directed the consolidation of the captured position. One private, who was (he leading man of a mopping-up party, killed ten Germans within as many nun-, uites. Lewis gunners had a busy timo at the commencement-, and. when the enemv resistance was broken.' had a still busier timo firing into the retreating German infantry. They wont boldly into action, and some continued to fire their guns after they wero wounded. One fired his gun until it was blown away, and then got another gun and continued firing. Tho stretcher-bearers once move stuck to their work with b rim determination. Some worked continuously for fourteen hows bandaging wounded and carrying them back under •.naclnne-gun fire." Linesmen also did fine work in keeping open .the communications between the .front and headquarters.