THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1918, Page 3

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

I ATTACK

AT ROSSIGKOL WOOD

; GERMANS DECISIVELY BEATEN.

(Special from the Official War Correspondent.)

July 24. This evening, in broad daylight, by an attack that gave them the high ground in front of Rossiguol AVood, the i Now Zealanders put the coping-store j upon the arc that, since they re-enter-ed the line ) they have gradually beer extending into th'o enemy arc. The attack was carried out by a small force oil Otago men,, who, after a short trench-mortar bombardment, went over the top with great, dash and captured their objectives, south-east of that famous shattered wood. The, attack had been planned for the day before, but torrential rains caused it to be deferred. This afternoon the weather cleared, and soon after the attack had finished the sun shone brilliantly. The ground gained denies observation to the enemy on an important part of our Our casualties in the attack wore very light, but fifty of the enemy were killed and many were wounded, while three prisoners and five machineguns were captured. Heavy artillery co-operated on the flanks. The enemy’s retaliatory bombardment was heavy, especially on Rossignol AVood, which was temporarily turned iftto a smoking inferno, hut fortunately it was ineffective. After the successful capture of this ground some of our men began to move forward to further exploit their success, hut we remained content with flie gains as planned. The recent fighting has been largely a men’s battle, but all attacks were well planned and officers and men acquitted themselves with great credit. Initiative and patrol work, that made the men familiar with the ground, have boon largely responsible for the success, but at the back of it all is the high moral of our men, which has been, and is, simply splendid. ARMY COMMANDER’S APPRECIATION. Tl.nt Ibiu imt.'.lt.Vn „,„1 nffnvto

j arc fully appreciated is apparent from • a letter sent by the army commander of the New Zealand Force, which is i published in to-night’s routine orders. : It runs as follows: “ I would ask you to convey to the G.O.C. New Zealand troops my sincere appreciation, of the operations that have led to the evacuation of Rossignol Wood and the adjoining tranches of the i enemy. These operations, lasting over i several days, have had a result that has reduced tho extent of our line, and placed the enemy in extremely difficult positions. That this result has boon i obtained without check and with few casualties is duo to persistent’ enterprise on the part of all ranks, and to the thoughtful preparation and skilful leading on the part of the commanders. Tho New Zealanders are to he warmly congratulated on their spirit and intiative, and I desire that all ranks be informed of these few words of commendation and gratitude.” This letter written by an army commander who had much experience with some famous divisions, is greatly appreciated by all concerned. ENEMY SURPRISED. j Details of the work of the Itifle Brigade in the preliminary operations also show a fine spirit on the part of officers, non-coms., and men. One man, badly wounded in a counter-attack, was captured hv the enemy and taken into a dug-out, where wore several Germans including some of their wounded. He resolutely refused to give any further information than eompolled to by the Rules of War, namely that lie belonged to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. This news surprised the Germans, for on learning that it was the New Zealanders who were attacking, they at" once heat a precipitate retreat, leaving the wounded man in the dug-out. Weak from his severe wounds and loss .of blood, he made several attempts to climb the steps from the dug-out, hut each time he fainted. Later he discov- ; ered some black bread and a bottle of coffee, which he ate and drank. This refreshed him and he eventually crawled up the steps and across the interven- | Ing ground, on one elbow and one knee, : to his own trench, which ho regained thirty hours Inter. He was able to give valuable information as to certain trenches, which another unit was thus ■ enabled to capture later. I During the operations a sergeant, who had recently, in the vicinity of Ligny Farm, gained the D.C.M., and bar thereto, had his 1/and blown off, and was otherwise badly wounded. His company commander and another man, wlffe were with him, carried him in. Salmond, of the Wellingtons, while already referred .to as killed while patrolling at Rossignol Wood ea'rly in these operations, was mot with a shower of bombs. One of the officers was wounded, and the corporal picked him up and carried him down tho sap to safety, while the fighting continued. Salmond, in the meantime, bravely j rushed the post single-handed, and was seen to he hit by two bombs. Only his steel helmet- was found afterwards, so evidently the enemy carried his body away, with a, view to getting identification and any papers he might have on him. COUNTER ATTACKS REPULSED. ! July 26th. j The enemy yesterday counter-attack-ed determinedly with a view to regain j ing the ground won the day before bv the New Zealanders fronting Rosignol Wood. About 4 n.m., a bombing attack was repulsel. Between six and seven in the evening the enemy came out- j in considerable numbers, making three j determined bombing attacks along the j communication trenches leading to our 1 new line. Two attacks on tho left were easily repulsed. On the right the enemy succeeded in forcing his way up to i one of our posts owing to the Now j Zealanders’ supply of bombs having been blown up by the bursting of n shell. Some of our*men from this post had gone back for moro bombs. Here the enemy penetrated to a depth of 300 yards. ITe was immediately coun-ter-attacked in front and on both flanks. Some of his men wore cut i off by our barrage, a considerable nurn - ! ber being killed, while thirty prisoners j and a machine-gun were captured and ; our lino was promptly re-established. Further west the enemy made still another attempt, but he was driven back by rifle and Lewis gun fife, with many casualties. Altogether, it was a good day for the Otago men and a disastrous ono for tho enemy, who not only gained no ground but met with heavy losses in killed, wounded and prisoners. Our casualties are only some twenty-five all told.