THE DASH FOR GAZA.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 3 August 1917, Page 1

THE DASH FOR GAZA.

.NEW ZEALANDERS FINE WORK. . Mr W. T. Massey, from near Gaza, on March 27 hist, wrote to his paper, the London "Times/ as follows: • The New Zealanders, who got to close quarters towards sunset, had a desperate fight till the close approach, of reinforcoments for the enemy necessitated the ; withdrawal of the cavalry, who were between two fires. This was accomplished without casualties before morning. During this afternoon the Turks made a tremendous effort to break through our line to the east. For two hours I witnessed a magnificent effort by our lien to resist the enemy. The shrapnel of our artillery ranged perfectly and smashed the Jine of tlit; attackers, and with the machine guns of the infantry must have caused heavy losses, to the enemy. , Where all the troops did well it is difficult to mention -particular instances. The Anzacs, Yeoninury, and infantrv all did magnificently. Of many deeds which will stir the-blood of Britons I will describe two, though they are not the only igallant efforts worthy of record during these days. One concerns the New Zealanders. The brigade got to the sea, north of the position, and were ordered to assist the infantry attack. At halfpast 4, with the Yeomanry, they took an important ridge, and proceeded" to cross the flats strongly opposed by the enemy in pits behind dense cactus heSges— very deadly obstacles, but they quickly carried them. The New Zealanders went on. gob into the position, rushed the enemy battery, and captured 200 men, and howitzers, which the enemy made frequent and desperate attempts to regain. Finally, enemy gunners.-and. some infantrv got into a country house 100 yards off and endeavored to prevent the removal of the guns. The New Zealanders refused, to leave the guns. They loaded them and used them against the house until they bad demolished it and killed the qpcupants. Then the Turkish infantrv tried to rush the guns, but thev were driven off with the bayonet. Darkness now set in. The New Zealanders were ordered to retire, but would not come away without the guns. They brought them back to our lines this moniing. The New Zealanders'' casualties during the day were two killed ;md 29 wounded: They took 225 prisoners, and probably killed and wounded as many more.