NEW ZEALANDERS IN BATTLE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 266, 30 July 1918, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS IN BATTLE

THE FiGHT AT ROSSIGNOI WOOD

AN IMPORTANT CAPTURE

Special From the N.Z. Official War Correspondent (Captain Mutcohu Boss). By Cablegram, July 21. TJlis evening, in bruau uayngnt, by an attack that gavo tuem me higu ground in front ot itossignol Wood, tne ±\ew Zealancuvrs j>ut tne eopmy-siuiu) upon the arc chut they have gradually been extending into enemy area since they re-entered the line. Tne attack was camea out. uy a small lorceot Utago men, vniu. alter a snort trencn-mortar boiu-!..-.ruiik'iii, we.it over tlio top with great u.i-:a uui c.ipiuml tJieir objectives south- ! v •>. vi iauious shattered wood. The ; : i,.vii planned tor tho day bel :-.v, iu:-::iuial rams caused it to '■■ ■ li -i-i:. 'lnis afternoon the weather !.-•!, uiai toon alter the attack had jiiiaiiui liu ; ;uii shone brilliantly. The jjruum! .gained dailies observation to the enemy on an important part oi the line. O.iir casualties in the attack wero very light, but 50 of the enemy were killed, mauy were wounded, and three prisoneiS and five machine-guns were captured. The heavy artillery co-operated on tlio flanks. The enemy's retaliatory bombardment was heavy, especially on Eossiguol ,Vood, which was temporarily turned into a smoking inferno; but fortunately it was ineffective. After the successful capture of this grouud, some of our men began to move forward to further exploit tho success, but we remained content with the gains, as' planned. The recent .lighting.has been largely a soldier's battle, but all the attacks were well nlaimed, and the officers and men acquilte'd themselves with great credit. Tho initiative and patrol work that had made the men familiar with the ground have been largely responsible-.for the success, but at the back of it all is the high morale of our men, which has been and is simnlv splendid. A Gratifying Letter. . That this initiative and these efforts are fully appreciated, is apparent from a letter sent by tho Army Commander to the Jxow Zealand Force, published in tonight sjtou tine Orders. It runs as fol--1 would ask you to convey to tho &.O.C. New Zealand troops, my sincere appreciation of the operations that nve led to the evacuation of Rossignol Wood and the adjoining trenches bv the enemy, these operations, lasting over several days, have reduced the extent ol our lino and nlaced tho enemy in an extremely difficult position. That'this result has been obtained without check and with few casualties is due to persistent enterprise on the part of all ranks, and to thoughtful preparation and skilful leading on the part of the commanders. Hie New Zealanders are to be warmlv congratulated on their snirit and initiative, and I desiro that all ranks be informed of these few words of commendahoii ,111(1 gratitude." This letter, written by ah •'Army Commander who has ,had much experience with some famous divisions, is greatly appreciated bv all concerned. Heroic Incidents, Details of the work of tho Rifle Brigade in tho prelimiuarv operations also show a fine spirit on the part of tho officers, non-coms., and men. Ono man, v ho was badly wounded in a coimtcr-at-ack, was captured by tho enemy and taken into a dugout, where there were several Germans, including some of their wounded. He resolutely refused to give any further information'tlmii lie was compelled by the rules of war to givo— namely, that he belonged to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. This news surprised tlio Germans, for on learning that it was; the New Zealanders who wero attacking they at once beat a precipitate retreat, leaving the woufided man in the dugout. Weak from his severe wounds and loss of blood, he made several attempts to climb tho steps from the dugout, but each time he fainted. Later, lie discovered some black bread and a bottle of coffee. This refreshed him, and eventually he crawled up the steps and across the intervening ground on one elbow and ono knee, to his own trench, which bo regained thirty hours latjfr. He was able to give valuable information as to certain trenches, which another unit was thus enabled to capture later.

During the. operations a sergeant who had recently,, in tho vicinity of Lassigny Farm, gained the D.C.M. and a, bar to tho same medal, had his hand blown off and was otherwise badly wounded. His company commander and another man, who • were with him, carried him in.

Salmond, of the Wellington Regiment, already referred to as killed while patrolling at 1 Bossignol Wood early in these operations, was with another officer and a corporal when they were suddenly met with a shower of bombs. Ono of the

officers was wounded, and (lie eorporsi picked him up and carried him down the sap to safely, while live fighting continued. Salmond, in the meantime, bravely ru.-hod the post singlehanded, and was seen to be hit by two bombs. Only his sfsel helmet was found afterwards, so evidently the enemy carried his body awav with a, view to getting his identification and any papers ho might have on him. VIGOROUS COUNTER-ATTACK DEFEATED July 20. The enemy yesterday counter-attacked determinedly with a. view lo regaining giound won the day before by the New Zealanders in front of Rossignol Wood. About -1 a.m. a Iwmbinj attack.wos repulsed. Between G and 7in tlio'evening the enemy came oil in considerable numLeis, making three dc-torminal bombing attacks along the communication trenches leading to our new line. Two attacks on the left were easily repulsed. On tlio right the enemy succeeded in forcing his way up 'lo one of our posts. - owing t-.i the New Zealanders' supply'.'of. bombs having, been blown up'.' by il"'" Bursting shell. Some men from this;.post lmd gone back for more bouib;. Here the enemy penetrated to a depth of three hundred yards. He was immediately counter-attacked in front and' on'-.both flanks. Somfe of his men were cut off by our barrage, and a considerable number were killed aud thirty prisoners wero taken. A machine-gun was captured and our line vas promptly re-established.

Further west, the enemy made still another attempt, but was driven back by rifle fire and Lewi? gun fire, with-mony casualties. Altogether it was a good day for tho Ota.eo men and a disastrous 0110 for the enemy, who not only gained no t'"nund, but met with .'heavy-Josses in killed, -wounded, and prisoners. - Our casualties are only./some twenty-five all told.