CAPTURE OF FLERS

Nelson Evening Mail, 28 September 1916, Page 7

CAPTURE OF FLERS

\ NEW ZEALANDERS' PART. BRILLIANT WORK ACCOMPLISHED. (Special from the N.Z. Official War Correspondent, Captain Malcolm Ross.) 24th September. Further details of the ."ightirig show that though it was not included in their area, the New Zealanders greatlyassisted in the capture of Eler's. After charging through the village they advanced in the open, and a subaltern with seven men fought ■"& German field battery, knocking out one gun 'before they were shelled back from their posi- ". tiori. The Rifle Brigade, in making a i splendid effort in the offensive, succeed- | ed, in penetrating 3200 yards into the ! enemy territory.' The Wellington Batj talion, coming up, held during the night I the whole line in front of Flers, thus I greatly helping the division on their I right. A Rifle Brigade .captain who j was killed greatly distinguished himself. &?' Tlie Canterbury Battalion has continuod fighting" with dash and great gallantry. After the hitter night fights'' . ing •.described in previous messages, in **sg which they were victorious, they smashNed a further attack led- by German bomibers from three directions. Owing to §b a difficulty in the supply of our/bombs, the enemy succeeded in driving our bombers and riflemen back. While still being heavily pressed, the gallant captain referred to in"the message of the 22nd, £§& decided on counter-attacks in the open. Clirribing out of the trenches, the men charged forward with magnificent elan, J&> and the Germans, seeing their onrush, w? turned and fled, pursued bv the New Zealanders, who did not stop till they had inflicted heavy casualties captured a machine-gun. The eenmy left a |fe hundred dead on the ground.