PERCIVAL PHILLIP’S STORY.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1918, Page 4

PERCIVAL PHILLIP’S STORY.

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.!

THE NEW ZEALANDERS. LONDON, Oct. 26

'Referring to the operations in the Valenciennes region, Mr Percival Phillips writes: When the Ney Zealanders jpassed Beaudignies, they established themselves a quarter of a mile beyond the east side of Escaillon-Villey. The Germans endeavoured to hold the Escaillon river line, but tlio New Zealanders rushed the enemy gun crews as they were trying to get away, and captured a howitzer and some field guns intact. This misfortune inspired a general withdrawal of the German batteries from positions southward of Valenciennes railway. There is evidence of confusion in the enemy rearguards. General Byng’s Army, northwards of Mormal Forest, took prisoners from sixteen regiments of nine divisions in forty-eight hours. Mr Percival Gibbons writes: The First and Third Armies are still fighting in very hard woody country, south of Valenciennes and east of Le Chteau. The Germans are resisting strongly. We have taken many villages, each of which necessitated a separate little battle. Tile enemy has many guns, ana machine-guns everywhere. We • have made a move forward in open warfare, without trenches, while the Germans have had good cover on the outskirts of woods and villages, where they fire from roofs, windows, and cellars. The Now Zealanders attacking beyond Neuville captured many gun's and inflicted severe losses.