ENEMY'S TRIBUTE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 77, 26 December 1918, Page 6

ENEMY'S TRIBUTE

PRAISE FOR N.Z. DIVISION

A CAPTURED GERMAN DOCUMENT

An interesting tribute to the fiphting qualities of the New Zealand Division is contained in an official German document, issued by the .German Intelligence Branch, and captured during the heavy fighting that preceded the signing of the armistice. The document gives detailed information regarding the organisation of the New Zealand Division, badges, and equipment, and makes tho following comment:—

"History: The division was in rest in the St. O'mer area at tho end of March, 1318, and was transferred south and put into the rearguard battle west of Bapaume. It remained in the C'olincamps sector continuously until June Ift, and then went into rest (probably in the area north of Pas). The losses during the period in line were at times not inconsiderable. Since July 10 the division has been in line in the sector west of Hebnterne. "Reinforcements: White New Zealanders. "The battalion, of New Zealand Pioneers is composed of natives (Maoris), who are a light brown peoplo of the Polynesian race. The infantry reinforcements aro chiefly drafted to the entrenching battalions and drawn from these as required by the fighting troops. "Losses incurred during the last period in tho line were made up quickly by small parties drawn from this unit. The company fighting strength is estimated at about 150 men. In New Zealand a limited system of compulsory service, has been, introduced. The reinforcements consist almost entirely of young, strong men. "A particularly good assault division. Tts character is a very strongly developed individual self-confidence or enterprise, typical of the colonial Englishman, and a specially pronounced hatred of the Germans. The division prides itself on talcill" few prisoners. A captured officer taken' at the end of Anvil did not hesitate to boast of this while in the prison C '"Divisional Boundaries: It is improbable that the New Zealand Div-snon. which is qualitively and quantuely much stronger than the 57th Division, should have taken over the old sector of the latter between the southern edge of the Biez Wood and the south edge of 'Hebnterne. The Extension of the sector towards the south is probable to a point corresponding with its boundaries when la st m li"(S ß d.l WALTHEB-, Colonel."