UNKNOWN

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 249, 9 February 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

UNKNOWN

HIS BATTALION REDITED TO FIFTY MEN. Press Camp, Nov. 21. Britirh troops were besetting very tierce v tho German positions beyond the cemetery, on the road lead ng northv. ards from liaeumont Ham el to Serre, '.Mien tho following dramatic message, sunt away by the officer commanding olio of tho German position*, fell into our hands: 'J.2O a.m., Nov. I>. The English have already broken through the switch line by L ( J. Early help alone can make good. Machineguu ammunition, machine-guns, and Hand grenades urg: ntly needed, htho enemy had captured our ammunition reserve. We have Lad no water, and the men havo drunk nothing af! day. Ui' tho second battalion 23rd Regiment there are only oU men left. We have blocked the switch l:ne I'D metres t-j the right of the Sodcn trench. Tho English are already leading away cur men. l'lea-e reinforce quickly.- • (Signed) Lieut. , 2nd Uau. 23rd Rcgt. Written below this message, on th« same piece of p; ]>er, is a second message from a machiuc-guu company's officer, whit !i -a id : Two machine guns of the lioilt lost. Detachment of No. 2 gun are (had. We can hold out for another hour.—(Signed) Lieut. - —, K3th Machine (Inn Co. Tiio ts;v tcli or linking trench refined to in iho tir.-t ine-snge runs off Lager \|ley tleiii h. lit rtli oi Beaumont Hame!. Soi!»n uviieli runs off I'u-icux Alley, a little I'm tlier to lhe ei*t. There i- only on • point to add u> this p;raphie little dot iiuieut : the German reinli.ic. nieiii- <ll • 1 ii oi i.rnve.— Renter.