A WAR FIGHT

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1929, Page 3

A WAR FIGHT

AERIAL TORPEDO BARRAGE. During the later stages of the Battles oi Arras the Ist. Queen’s (Royal West •Surrey Regiment) were called upon to assault the famous Hindenbuig Line north-east of Croisilles. in the valley of tne Sensee R.ivwr. It was to lie a frontal' attack in order to join hands with other of our troops wlio were to bomb down the German defences from the left flank.

Two tanks which were expected to assist did not arrive. Going forward l/eliind a barrage aL 4.19 a.in. on April 28rd.. the leading companies soon ciilereil the German front trench, but the thick wire in front .of the support line was undamaged and could not he negotiated. .Meanwhile in the German front lino parties of the Queen’s bombed uphill to the right until they were forced to erect a barricade and repulse a counter-attack. On ihe left the Queen's g t as far as the river lied. Hero they dro.e hack a German onslaught and pursued the enemy, taking a oon- - rete block-house.

It was now a question of holding the Gorman limit line against repeated bombing attacks delivered al five -different points. The Queen’s found if .difficult to pass bombs along the french which was choked with dead and wounded; all signal wires to the rear were cut by shell lire; there was no ■sign of a British advance from the leic.

All the morning there was a erv Tor bombs .’and more bombs, men of other battalions suffering heavy casualties in carrying supplies forward. Then at 1.49 p.m. the Germans burst through on the right behind a barrage of aerial .torpedoes and rille grenades. In the centre many of the Queen’s were cut off: those of the battalion who could, regained our line under a storm of German shell lire. Losses amounted to nearly 490. but as was soon to be seen. the. valour of tbe Queen’n bad done good service in slinking tbe German powers of resistance at this point. There were some prisoners. Rhinelanders of the 991 b. Regiment.