NEW ZEALANDERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17282, 25 September 1916, Page 7

NEW ZEALANDERS.

IN THE SOMME BATTLE, BRILLIANT DASH DESCRIBED. ARTILLERY'S GREAT WORK. {Special from the New Zealand Official War Correspondent.) ANZAC HEADQUARTERS,' September IS. Having gained our objective on September 15, the New Zealand artillery wero ablo to send their teams, limber up and rush their guns to new positions behind what had been our front line. This was for them tho supremo moment. For the first time in tho war they experienced the glorious sensation of fulfilling tho true functions oi Ik id artillery. Their shooting had been spioudid, and the Switch trench which Wie lnruntry captured so brnlumtiy was in many places obuter'ated. Mauy"Goi ni.-ns must, have been killed, and even buried, by our shelling, and tho wire had been well cut all along the lino.

I'his is ali the more creditable, because the Switch trench could not be si:. .1, and tho gunners wero firing by ihe map. . After the first day's long advance tho Germans threatened a counter-at-tack, which was prevented by our artillery, which promptly switched on to ground across which- the enemy was hkely to advance. Later another coun-ter-attack was dispersed by our infantry* firing and rushing forward with tho bayonet. Tho Germans turned and ran. We had now not only half our s..::tted part, but also a portion oi the line farther on the rfghc. "to corps commander thanked Now 7 !and for this sporting and timely ac ion.

following up their success of September 15, the New Zealanders on the r.r «;ond day again pushed gallantly on and captured and held other German positions. This attack fell to the First Brigade, which fought with the sam" dash and determination as the others. Our troops wero ready to push still further, but the general situation in the immediate vicinity did not permit this.

Our losses, though severe, are not so heavy as might have been expected considering tno extent of tho ground won. Wo penetrated tho German line* to a depth of about threo thousand yards. The Commander-in-Chief telegraphed his congratulations and thanked the New Zealanders for their successful attacks, adding that they showed a fine fiehting spirit and admirable energy and dash. Several army and corps commanders also wired their congratulation.-! upon the brilliant achievements of the Now Zealanders. GERMAN ATTACKS REPULSED. CANTERBURY MEN IN FIERCE FIGHTING. TROOPS CONGRATULATED. Anzao Headquarters, September 22. .Muring the lighting on our left, mentioned in my last telegram, an enemy trench was entered in silence under cover of darkness, without much diffimlty. Then we found that our left was thinly hold by Scottish troops, who had to fall back. This allowed the Germans to attack fiercely. Bomb fighting was very bitter and trenches were soon littered with dead of both sides. After being driven back twice the Canterbury men finally succeeded in capturing tho trench just before dawn. Fighting was 6trenuous all through the night. By aggressive action we cleared the enemy right off the position, and at once proceeded to consolidate. One captain particularly distinguished himself, showing splendid courage and energy. Ho continually rallied the tired and discouraged men and led 'them personally. The army commander promptly wired his congratulations, and stated that the troops deserved every credit for their gallantry and perseverance. Tho corps commander in another message of congratulation stated that tho repeated attacks by the Canterbury men were renewed and delivered with much energy and determination. He spoke highly of the fine fighting qualities of all ranks. Ho particularly desired to express to the colonel in command his appreciation of his sound conceptiou oi the plan of defence, and to the captain who led the men his admiration of his gallant conduct and his courageous leading. The New Zealauders continue fighting with dash and bravery in -the Somrae battle. The •Commander-in-Chief telegraphed his appreciation and congratulations. The corps commander on tho right also forwarded congratulations, specially referring to the assistance rendered to his corps during tho last few days. Not only do wo hold our line, but we have also protected the positions on the right and left outside our own area. Last night there was fierce fighting on our left. The Canterbury battalion drove tho enemy from their trench. The enemy counter-attackeci furiously, but suffered heavy losses. We counted 350 of their dead and took twenty-two prisoners. During the last forty-eight hours our artillery has done magnificent work. In the darkness, tnrough mud, rain and heavy shelling, they shifted their' batteries forwaru into action over ground full of craters and by midday yesterday almost all the guns were in position and had registered. The batteries were shelling beautifully, shells bursting in a row ou the enemy lines. The medical services are second U, none. The stretcher-bearers, who were first out, have done heroic work. At one stage the ambulance transport even left the waggons and horses under _ a guard, took the spare stretchers of? the waggons, and made their way to the battalion aid post, whence they assisted in conveying the Rifle Brigade wounded under shell fire and over difficult roads to the field dressing 'stationThe D-M.S. of the Army and the D.D.M.S- of the Corps expressed thei) great satisfaction, stating that the organisation and evacuation wore splendid. All the casualty clearing stations bad reported that tho treatment of the wounded received through the Now Zealand Medical Corps was superior to anything previously scon, air! not a singlo case got through without antitetanic serum treatment. Other branches of our force ore doing excellent work. The transport lias overcomo extraordinary difiinilties. The engineers and pioneers, under adverse weather and shell fire, are rendering valuable services. A canteen .has been established well forward. But above and beyond all this one's greatest admiration ir.u-t he for tlrsplendid heroism and dash of tho in far.try. They wonf unflinchingly through nil the terror of mode-:' battle, with an absolute contempt l'o;

the flower of the Gorman army, and gained the. farthest points in the enemy lines. BACK FROM THE BATTLE. STORIES OF THE ATTACK. ACCOUNTS BY MEN WHO WERE IN THE CHARGE. OTAGO AND AUCKLAND LEAD. WALKING THROUGH A HAIL OF DEATH. LONDON, September" 23. Wounded New Zealanders are arriving from tho Sommo front, whither they wero transferred from the Amonticrcs sector a month ago. All stones confirm their splendid eourago on the morning of Sepionber 15 in face of tho greatest trial yet experienced. "STEPPED OUT FEARLESSLY.'' The father of a young family gravely wouadea »aid; " When our boys went over it was a magnificent signt. Irie first wave consisted oi the Oiago and Auckland men. They stepped out fearioasly, despite tho hurricane bombardment and'incessant whizzing of ma-chine-gun bullets. An onlooker might have •tuuiight. by their absence of care for danger that* they were only sbamrightiug. Those whose sons and brothers have been killed here can well ho pi oud. It was a glorious death. Heav.l/ loaded and unab.e to run, carrying shovels and equ pment, they were unlike the. raiders who go to return. It was moving day for these men, and things did move. They found a new place to sleep that night, although there wero many gaps as a remit' of those first two_ hours' walk, in extended order in No Man's Land. German dead were __ lying everywhere, tho result of the enemy's earlier fruitless attacks, i'iie English regiments were co-operat-ing on our right, i.nd several Tank: were allotted to our front. Wo were vastly impressed by theso new engines and were delighted to notice the Germans' rank when they realised their deadly powers. When they ftr.st sallied out fourteen German bombers rushed out, thinking they were the ordinary armoured ear, and hoping to stop them before they reached the trench. Thoy threw scores of bombs, which exploded harmlessly. The Tanks' machine-guns wiped out tho whole party The Germans quickly learned to respect tho monsters, which, when they develop greater speed, will bo an even more terrible menaco to tho defenders of trenches." FIRST IN FLERS. " Wo felt wo wero right into it by this time," said another. " Although we had lost several, notably a number of Maoris, during the previous three weeks by gas attacks and bombardments, this was tho first proper action on the Sommo front. When wo learned the magnitude of tho operations -and our important part, a thrill went through all of-us. Everyone was cheerful, although we knew that certainly many would not survive. Our bombardment was beyond description. The Germans declare that we do net know what shell-fire is until we have been in their trenches. The German bombardment was severe enough, aud caught many of our chaps before the advanco. The assault cm the trenches 'was quick, rough work, with only a few moments for rest. There was no time to watch tho compa-s of fate. The single thougnt of every mind' was to get ahead. As a result the New Zealanders entered Flers before the Coldstreams, Iri-h, Canadians, Scottish and other English units. We woro all mixed up in the finish. The Otago and Auckland men took tho first lino and waited. The Riflo Brigade camo up and pushed out, taking tho second line with overwhelming dash. Then all the New Zealand forces combined for the final push. The Dinkums,' as tho Rifles are called, proved themselves among tho best. Some of our men got beyond tho village and suffered from machine-guns." THE GERMANS SURRENDER. A Pioneer says that it was laughable to watch tho Germans surrender. ;i They camo into our trenches running, rolling, limping and crawling. A Hawko's Bay man witTi a broken arm, helping to drag a Dunedin comrado more seriously wounded, became indignant on seeing a huge German carried on a stretcher, and was determined that his comrade should be relieved of his painful crawl. He saw two German! scared to death running from a shell-hole shouting ' Kamerad!' The Hawke's Bay man shouted "Stop!" but they did not comprehend. He picked up a rifle and they quickly understood. They approached and dropped on their knees and a burly Hun carried thp Dunedin man a mile and a half to tho rearTho Pioneer Battalion suffered while digging communication trenches under a barrage intended to prevent supports approaching." Before the battle General Birdwood again appeared unescorted in almost every trench, renewing acquaintance with tho Gallipoli veterans. Men speak in the highest terms of General Russell MOVING PICTURES TAKEN. Tho men expressed surprise at seeing a kinema operator in the front trenches on Friday morning coolly filming the advanco.' The men say, " It would d'o our people good to see the magnificent steadiness in that great attack?' A Kaitangata boy, badly hit in the jaw, speaking behind bandages, said, " According to Sir Douglas Haig's latest, our chaps are still there holding tho line, and bet your life they will stick it as long as they aro needed." THE WOUNDED. IN NEW ZEALAND HOSPITALS. APPRECIATE FOOD FROM THE DOMINION. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received September 24, 0.0 p.m.) LONDON, September 23. The wounded are concentrated at Brockonhurst and Walton, and as soon as they are convalescent they will be sent to Hornchurch and Codford. Some, owing to pros, ure, wore sent to isolated hospitals, but they wore quic.-i discovered and transferred to tho New Zealand hospitals, all of which are working smoothly. There arc no complaints, and tho men especially appro{■ituo the New Zealand mutton and butter. REWARD OF MERIT. MILITARY CROSS. NEW ZEALANDERS DECORATED. D.C.M. FOR THREE MEN. Australian end N.iS. Cabin Associatiou LONDON, September 22. The following New Zealanders have been awarded the Military Grots:— Captain John Cowlos (Rifle Brigade) For gallantly loading a raid in winch thirty-threo of tho enemy were killed Only seven Now Zealanders were wounded. Captain Alfred Rowley (Riflo Bri gade). For his aytioa in a trench raid

Though the party was heavily encumbered by eighty wounded, one dead and nine prisoners, Powßv got all in safely. Lieutenant Phillip Ellis (Field Artillery). For assisting in removing a large amount of ammunition and hie"' explosives when flic gun cpauloment! ignited. Ho also removed the gun am 1 prevented the spread of fire. He rounder shell fire'all the time, and his own ammunition exploding. Lieutenant Edward Kibble-white (Wellington Regiment). He took command when the senior officcn was injured, rallied the men, and drove out the enemv from advanced positions. Distinguished Conduct Medals have been awarded as under: — Private Frost (Wellington _ Regiment). For assisting his superior ofii cer to cover tho withdrawal of raider*who twice passed tho enemy's wire entanglements. He rescued two wounded men. Private Lepper M'Cormirk Nirnmo (Riflo Bricade). For hrnging in a wounded mnn under Ikmvv fire. Private Potter (Wellington Re-' month For gallantry in leading the way in a raid on an enemy trench.