NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1810, 6 April 1918, Page 3

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION.

’ CAPTURE PRISONERS AND GUNS. . ■ ' •. , , . .. l_ The following cablegram has reached New Zealand from Captain Malcolrii Ross: — • ' France, March 30. After a quiet night, the New Zealanders attacked part of the enemy front-line system this afternoon. The result was to straighten out their own line and to obtain better observation. The troops engaged were from the Rifle Brigade and the Wellington and Auckland Regiments. The operations commenced at 2 p.m. with a bombardment by held guns and heavy artillery. In two minutes our men were over the top, and five minutes later a party on the left reported that their objective was gained. Our shells burst with good effect in the enemy territory, but his reply was somewhat feeble, indicating a possible shortage of ammunition, or that he had not yet been able'to get up much of his artillery. From the right front came considerable machine-gun fire, but this gradually died down, and then ceased altogether. Very soon the Wellingtons reported that they had their whole objective. The Rifles got well into an enemy strong point, but there was a gap on one side, with the enemy in an intervening part of the trench. A vigorous bombing fight ensued. The Germans stuck to it well, but in the end our men proved themselves the better fighters, and the-whole trench was won. Prisoners began to come back in considerable numbers, indicating complete success on our part. Every German who resisted was killed; all the others were made prisoners. By the time the tight was over we had captured 200 prisoners, 40 machine guns, and one light mine-thrower. The total of prisoners since the operations began now numbers over 410, a splendid result for such limited operations. The enemy was taken by surprise. Among the prisoners was a forward observing officer, who was asleep when the attack began. Our men are having what they describe as the time of their lives. In order to increase their fighting efficiency, they came into battle without packs and overcoats, though most had their leather jerkins and waterproof sheets. The nights were bitterly cold, and, as a good deal of rain has fallen, they got rather wet and muddy. The relieved men behind the front line present an extraordinary, and even amusing spectacle, clothed in a variety of garments, salved from the battlefield. . Some are wearing German overcoats, others overcoats of the labour battalions, who have gone further back, and even civilian corduroy.