SPLENDID TRIBUTE
TO NEW ZEALAND DIVISION. “UNSURPA SSED RECORD.” Deserving’ a special frame for ilself and a place on 1 lie walls of every bar rack room, drill bail, and school in New Zealand for all timo is (he final divisional order issued at Headquarters in France on December 9lh, 1918, on Hie occasion of the departure of (lie New Zealand Division from the Fourth Army Corps, of which it formed part. The order is as follows: VALEDICTORY. The following loiter of farewell from Lieutenant-General Sir 0. 11. Harper, K.C.8., D. 5.0., commanding the Fourth Army Corps, is publish-* ed for general information: “As the New Zealand Division is leaving (he Fourth Corps, I desire to place on record my appreciation of the valuable services they have rendered, and to thank all ranks for the magnificent lighting qualities (hey have invariably displayed. “The Division joined tin; Fourth Corps at a critical lime on March 2(ith, J 018, when it completely checked the enemy's advance at Beaumont Hamel and Colincamps, and thus closed the gap between the Fourth and Fifth Chirps. By a brils lianl stroke it drove (he enemy from (lie commanding ground at La Signy Farm, and gained observation over the enemy’s lines which greatly assisted in his defeat on April bib, 19.18, when lie made Ins last and final effort to break pur front. Throughout the summer the Division held portions of (he corps front with, but a short interval for rest. .During (ids period 1 never had the least anxiety about (he security of this portion of (he front : on the oilier hand, by raids, the enemy was given little respite, and ideal ilicatloan were procured whenever required. In this connection I deplore (he loss of that brave man, Sergeant Travis, V.C.
“It wns the ascendancy {'.lined by this Division over tin; enemy Unit compelled him In evneuaie llie ground round Rossignol Wood.
“At the commencement of the great attack on August 21st, 1018, only a minor part was allotted to the Division, hut subsequently, on the night of August 2.1(h, the Division was ordered to attack, and swept the enemy from Greviilers, Boupart Wood, and Biefviliers, and gained tlie outskirts of Bapaume. Stubborn lighting was experienced around Bapaume, but eventually the enemy was overcome, and pushed back to the easl.
“From August 21lh till September 14th, the division was constantly engaged, and drove the enemy back from Bapaume to the high ground west of Gouzeacourl, where very heavy lighting occurred at African Trench. After a short period of rest the Division was put in again on September 25th to complete the capture of Welsh Ridge and to gain the crossings over the Canal do TFscaul. A night advance over difficult country, intersected by the trenches and wire of the Ilindenburg Line, was brilliantly carried out and entirely successful, and resulted in the capture of over 1,000 prisoners and over 40 guns. On October Ist the Division captured Crevecocur against strong opposition, and held it in spite of heavy shelling and several counter-attacks throughout the subsequent days until the great attack on October Blh, when the division broke through the northern portion of the strongly organised Masnieres line, and penetrated far into the enemy’s line at Esnes and Saucourl. “Going out to rest on October
321 h the Division was again in the line on October 23rd, and drove the enemy back from the outskirts of Romeries to Le Quesnny, Finally, on November 4th, the division, by an attack which did much to decide the finish of the war, forced the surrender of the fortress of Le Quesnoy, and drove the enemy back through the forest of Mormal, the total captures by the Fourth Corps on (hat day amounting to 3,500 prisoners and some 70 guns. “During thejieriod the New Zealand Division has been in the Fourth Corps, they have captured from tho enemy 28 officers and 8,745 other ranks, besides much other material. “The continuous successes enumerated above constitute a record
of which the Division may well he proud. It is a record which I may
safely say has been unsurpassed in the final series of attacks which led to the enemy’s suing for peace. “in conclusion, 1 wish to thank you and your stall' for the willing support which you have invariably given, and the helpfulness shown in all circumstances. “1 send every man of (he Division my heartfelt good wishes for the future."
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Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1940, 15 February 1919, Page 1
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739SPLENDID TRIBUTE Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1940, 15 February 1919, Page 1
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