SINN FEIN AMBUSH

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 132, 28 February 1921, Page 5

SINN FEIN AMBUSH

CROWN FORCES IN A DEATH-TRAP FIERCE PITCHED BATTLE REBELS STRONGLY FORTIFIED IN MOUNTAINS By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. London, February 25. Seventy men of the Crown forces, who were travelling in lorries with the object of conducting a round-up, were ambushed by four hundred Sinn Feiners, entrenched in the hills near Macroom. In the first onslaught one auxiliary was killed and six wounded. A fierce pitched battle ensued, and Major Grant, who was in command, was killed. The Crown forces were hopelessly outnumbered, and withdrew, leaving about ten wounded, who are now presumed to be dead. When the auxiliaries were nearing their 'base at Macroom the rebels returned to the mountains of Macroom, which are fortified with machine-guns trained on the roads leading to the town. The police and military, aided by aeroplanes, are scouring the district. The Sinn Fein casualties are believed to be heavy.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. February 26, 5.5 p.m.) London, February 25. The ambush at Macroom, which is one of the worst centres of tho revolutionary movement, is described as the biggest battle that has yet occurred in Ireland. It commenced early in tho morning ami continued until 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and covered five miles of country. The auxiliaries were caught in wild and craggy country. At first they advanced, followed by tho cars, until three explosions in rapid succession were the signal that) the auxiliaries were in a regular death trap, and that the road had been mined. The first two cars were already disabled. The killed included a Sinn Fein hostage in the first car. Intense rifle and revolver fire from behind boulders followed. The auxiliaries attacked, but failed to dislodge the rebels. One car, however, escaped and reached Macroom, •where reinforcements were called up. In the meantime tho auxiliaries were retreating, the rebels continuing a hot running fire as they drove the police back towards Macroom. The auxiliaries here outmanoeuvred the Sinn Feiners and prevented the latter surrounding them, though the rebels were continually getting nearer and nearer. Macroom was now in a state of great alarm; business was suspended and the inhaGTFants ordered indoors. A wireless call to (fork resulted in large reinforcements of troops being sent, with a Hotchkiss gun, rilles,’ and aeroplanes. The Republicans, however, immediately relinquished the attack and fled-to the hills. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ROYAL FUSILIERS’ RUNNING FIGHT, (Rcc. February 27, 5.5 p.m.) London, February "6. An official Dublin communique states that following upon the ambush or auxiliaries .at Macroom, Royal Fusiliers carried, out a running fight lasting for two hours against the rebels, but were forced to relinquish the pursuit owing to the fact that tho rebels occupied high ground behind the military. Two civilians were taken prisoner, and one was captured. Tho military suffered no casualties. Constable Keane, who was woundoa nt Macroom, has died. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. m ’ TWO OFFICERS KIDNAPPED VILLAGERS HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR RETURN. London, February 25. Armed men held up two officers returning from fox hunting in tho village of Liscarroll, Cork. They were compelled to dismount, and were removed to an Unknown destination. Their riderless horses reached Buttorant 'barracks, .and Crown forces invested Liscarroll and compelled the villagers to form a civilian guard, informing them that they would Do iTeia responsible for the officers’ re-turn.--Aus.-N.Z. Cable Aesn.