NEW ZEALAND'S SHARE.
THE Auckland Herald, in an article (hailing with the anniversary of (he battle of Elers, which took place on September loth of . last year, reviews the part played by New Zealanders since the commencement of the war. Our contemporary recalls (hat three years ago New Zealand’s fighting* capacity was assessed at 7,800 men; to-day it maintains in France, in Egypt, and in Mesopotamia an army of 30,000 and still the reinforcements march forward and (he (raining camps are tilled. Three years ago the “advance guard" captured the first of Germany's colonies, which, but for German confidence in (heir war machine, would have been a base from which submarines would have carried the war to the coasts of New Zealand and sown the Tasman fsea and the Indian Ocean with (he wreck-age of sunken transports. Today New Zealanders are lighting in every theatre of war, for while the main force is at grips with tin; invader in France or in Belgium, and its Mounted Brigade presses back (he Turk in (he east, sons of the Dominion are to be found wherever British soldiers are. Their record throughout has been of duly nobly done. The capacity for endurance, the spirit of perseverance, and the breadth of courage that were developed by (he hardships and (he disappointments of Gallipoli were carried by tin' regenerated force to France, then increased from I 1,000 to a full division of 29,990. Emm May to Augus-J of last year the New Zealand force held its line at Armen) ieres, having no part in great offensive movements, but taking a steady toll of the enemy and gaining experience in the strange arts of trench warfare. Then came the long march south to (he Somme, and the eagerly-anticipated move into the front trenches.. Tin* attack' on Flers began early on (he moaning of September loth, • and within six hours all (he objectives had been gained, and New Zealand troops had marched into Elers behind one of (he “tanks," which were* used for tin 1 (ii’st lime in Hu's attack'. Three lines of German trenches were carried, and for five days there was a desperate struggle, allude and counier-allack being delivered in rapid succession with the most stubborn bomb and bayonet lighting. The enemy threw all (he strength he could muster against the positions won by the New Zealanders ,only to find the line immovable and to recoil from every attack with heavy losses, The division was on the Somme front for three weeks, continuously engaged in hard lighting. .It took part in the attacks of September 25(11 and October Ist, forcing its way through a labyrinth of strong points and trenches and sunken roads, holding all its gains, and always taking heavier toll of the enemy than its own losses. Every unit of (he force was engaged, and none 1 fell short of the highest standard of soldierly (pialities, of courages and resource. During these operations the division formed part of the Fourth Army, and in his farewell order on its withdrawal on October 7(h. Sir Harry Dawlinson accorded to il the magnificent tribute: “Their successes in the neighbourhood of Flers will rank high among the best achievements of the British Army." The victory for which the Allies strive with unbending will has its price, and New Zealanders have paid a noble share. Eight thousand men lie op the (ields of Gallipoli, of France, of Belgium, and of Egypt, but the sacrifice has been resolutely made. A pledge lias been- given to the Motherland (hat New Zealand will not relax her efforts until tin' tiiml victory lias been won; a promise has been given to I lie men in the trenches (lull ample reinforcements will be forthcoming, tfo that for every man who falls ’another will be wailing to take bis place. Flers has been followed by Massines and by La Basse Villc, the force has w.m new honours, and has again been withdrawn to recuperate. In due course it. will no doubt be given new opportunities jo justify the conlldenec with which it is regarded by the British Command, and new names will be added to its record of effort ajul attainment. It is natural that in looking InTck upon I lie share which the New Zealand divi.-ion has taken, (he losses it has borne should lie keenly felt. Beyond all oilier consolation is the knowledge that the sacrifices have not been in vain, but will bring their recompense in the enduring peace which they have helped to secure.
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1731, 18 September 1917, Page 2
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754NEW ZEALAND'S SHARE. Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1731, 18 September 1917, Page 2
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