BATTLE OF MIRAUMUNT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1917, Page 2

BATTLE OF MIRAUMUNT.

A Great Struggle

[REUTEE’S SERVICE.—COPYRIGHT.]

(Received Feb 20, at 12.20 p.m,) London, Feb 19 A correspondent at Headquarters says the battle around Miraumoufc was the heaviest attack sir.ee the battle Beaumont Hamel. The line attacked extended from a point south-essfc of Pys to Pensiovx road, on a front of two miles. The attack was launched before dawn, under the cover of all the avail-

able guns. All the objectives on the left were carried by seven o’clock the British advancing welt up the strongly fortified line of the Albert-Arras railway.

Daylight biougbt rain clouds which enveloped the battlefield putting the struggle utterly out of aofcioD, The fiercest draggle was in the centre, where the Btitieh objective was a forty foot mound, with a sunken road, fringed with maohinegnns.

The Germans disputed the advance foot by foot up the incline.

The British had almost gained the crest when the Germans launched a heavy connter-attack. The grey waves swept down and the British retreated a short distance

Then their supports arrived and they ended the German advance which had gained a little gronnd. Thereafter the figbtiug was desul*

tory. The Germans failed to retrieve their losses. The enemy casualties were heavy.

Ye also paid the price of victory, which aggravates the already critical position of the Germans at Bapaums. French correspondents reveal that General Gough commanded,

Riflemen E L Cannon Rifleman R M Claik Cor pi H Coo re Lance-Corpl R Conplard Lance-Corpl W Davidson Rifleman W T Ellis Sergfc L R Etterahank Rifleman J H Gillott Rifleman J M Hale Rifleman C .E Henderaon Rifleman S Herbert Rifleman S E Johns Lance-Corpl A 0 Jones Rifleman A Kenny Rifleman C Martin Private A J Officer Rifleman J Phillips Rifleman S E Robinson Private H Shepherd Rifleman T Toomer Lanoe-Corpl J Wyatt Lance-Corpl H T Gordon Rifleman H R Seillton Rifleman R CcDnors Lance-Corpl A E Derung Lance-Corpl G R Watts Rifleman Thomas Brooke R fleman H Dawson Rifleman E Duke Rifleman H T Mucßonald Following reported wounded slight, remaining with unit: — Private D Fletcher Private M Scott Private W H Monk Private J M Marshall Reported wounded, rejoined unit:— Private E Baker Rifleman J Finnarty Rifleman W C Happer