A WAR STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 23 August 1929, Page 7

A WAR STORY

f GUNNERS GO DOWN FIGHTINGThere was some warning of the great German attack launched between Reims and Soissons on May 27, 1918 and the sth Battery R.F.A.—in position with the other batteries of its brigade north-east of Pontavert, about 3,000 yards behind our front line—opened harassing fire at 8.30 on the previous evening. The German guns made no reply until an hour after midnight, but then a terrific bombardment of. gas and high-explosive shell crashed down upon all our battery positions. Working in gas masks the , gunners of the oth Battery were soon called upon to respond to an S.O.S. rocket sent up from their right front. There was no respite from the German bombardment, and fire could only pe maintained by keeping as few men sis possible at the guns, relieving them at-intervals from the remainder of the detachments sheltering in the dug-outs Jlie two subalterns took turns with their men. A shell splinter put one gun out nf action about five o’clock, but the battery fought' on with tfio greatest/coolness and gallantry. It was nearly two hours later when the enemy barrage lifted and German infantry were seen loss than 200 yards away. A lew rounds were fired pointblank at them and the battery commander moved out with a small party to bold some higher ground on the right. He did not return and those leift at the gun positions fought wtili rifles and Lewis guns until they, too, were overwhelmed. . Three unarmed gunners bad been sent back earlier and one other man succeeded in getting away.