LATE WAR NEWS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 26 March 1919, Page 4

LATE WAR NEWS.

fWITH THE NEW ZEAL ANDERS AT

LE QTJESNOY.

OTAKI SOLDIER'S *-LETTER

Sergeant M. J. O'Halloran (M.M.), writing of recent date,-gives particulars of his brother's (Gu:-Y death. Gus, "he says, went under •'■' Without a fair go—a sniper getting hii.: .just as ho was jumping into a trench' for protection. The end was sadden, ft was in the first big stunt that he t ad shot, and therefore he Raw but little of actual fighting.

Speaking of himself Sergeant O'Halloran says he has - been very lucky, and had gone through the whole stunts without the slightest injury. He was with his battalion for fifteen mouths without a spell, : ■•'-'■ v, " ent "over the top" seven times in the

year, viz., at Hailly, BapduiAc, Gouzccourt" (twice), Lesdain, Cauibrai, and the final taking of Le Quosnoy (where he .secured his medal). Bapauuio and Cambrai he considered - "worse than hell." Speaking of the British barrage, Sergt.-O'Halloran says it was absolute murder, and impossible to stand up against, as the Hun soon found out." The final assault at Le Quesnoy was a tough-proposition. The attacked one mornin/j, in eonjunction with the British Ist, 3rd and ith armies, and succeeded in passing both sides of the town and fivci miles beyond it. it was left to the Kiilo Brigade to take the town, which .was ..well fortified with walls and a moat about 300 yards wide round it. It was a tough fight, but the "Brigade camo out on lop. About 1.100 Huns surrendered. That was the ft", ti battle for the lu-.r Zealand divisio ~ and a week later the armistice wai signed. Although all wore glad the wi.r Mas ! over, there was no demonstration. Ser-

geant -O'Halloran then was gianted leave, and saw the armistice celebrations in-London. He afterwa vds -visited Manchester and Blackpool, and then returned to France in time to start on the' inarch to the lHiine. Ho hoped, however, ?oon io be returning to New Zealand.