THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 August 1917, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

recent EXPLOITS. (Special from the Official W'ar Correspondent,) August 9. The troops that distinguished themselves in the recent fighting at La Basse Ville and in its vicinity were from Wellington and Auckland, and they fought with great gallantry. Several officers and senior N.C.O.’s became casualties very early. In the Wellington unit at one 'stage rou» platoons were commanded by corporals. A Captain distinguished himself. He led his company with conspicuous gallantry in a successful raid and also showed great bravery and initiative in repelling a German raid. One unit accomplished the difficult operation of clearing hedgerow 9of the enemy and establishing advanced posts. A section of one platoon was stopped by heavy machine-gun fire and met with casualties being forced to withdraw to shell holes, but subsequently, aided by the Wellington men they rushed the position and captured two machineguns. The lieutenant was wounded but'remained till the post was practically made secure. He then made his way to the dressing station, but first reported to the battalion headquarters. The sergeant then assumed command of the platoon and carried on in spite of an’injury from a sh&ll explosion. Another party met strorig rifle fire and was almost wiped out, tlio lieutenant being wounded. A third party was reduced to three, its corporal, while in command being killed, a private took command of the remains of these parties and he and .another party fired rapidly at the attacking Germans, killing several whereupon the remaining twenty-four surrendered. One machine gun, a minnenwerfor, bombs and a truck load of ammunition were captured and a post was established in . an excellent position. In the operaK tions large numbers of the enemy were Jjiilled and forty-five were taken prisoners. The morale of the prisoners was good. They wore of fine physique and had little complaint to make about their food. They certainly fought well. Nevertheless there is evidence that;the German, command now knows it is beaten. Several of their regiments a... at low strength. The men complain of the inaccurate shooting of their guns, and there is an indication of a shortage of aeroplanes. A hardened steel body shield, weighing" nearly 231 b, is being used in the front line. Fighting' in our sector is now again a matter of artillery and patrols. The latter often meet and fire on each other in the moonlight. The other night one of our patrols came upon an enemy - machine-gun crew in a shell hole. They bayoneted one and fired at the others as they "fled, but owing to heavy enemy fire were unable to bring the machinegun back. The enemy had apparently been ordered not to show himself by day and remains for the most part in his shell holes. Prisoners captured state , that the famous aviator Ricbahofen received two bullet wounds in the head in a combat with a British airman over the German lines, but landed safely in a meadow and was taken to a hospital. „ The following Aucklanders nr.ve received awards for gallantry in the La Basso Ville fighting: —Bar _to Military Medal—Private Charles Quinn. Military Medal. —Corporal Henry Malcolm, Sergeant Victor William Inch, Private Robert Richard,Smith. Other recent awards are: Military Cross —Captain MT. H. M’Lean. Dintinguished Conduct Medal—Sergeant O. N. ©every and Private Ves- / toy, all of a Wellington unit.