Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 19, 16 December 1916, Page 5

Great Britain

CAPTAIN FRYBURC, V.C.

A BRAVE NEW ZEALANDER,

HERO OF A HUNDRED FIGHTS

Press Assn.—Copyright.—Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn., and Renter London, December To.

The Victoria Cross lias been award-! ed to Captain Frcyburg (New Zealand) for conspicuous bravery in ins brilliant leading as battalion eommander. By splendid personal gallantry, he carried an initial attach' straight through the enemy’s front system of trenches during most heavy fire of all descriptions. Captain Freyburg’s command was much disorganised after capture of the first objective, and he personally rallied and reformed the men, including men of other units, who bad become, inteimixed, and inspired all with bis own contempt for danger, at an appointed time led the men in a successful assault on the second objective, capturing many prisoners. During the advance, be was twice wounded, but again rallied and re-formed those who were with him. Although unsupported in a very advanced position, they held the ground for the remainder of the day and throughout the night notwithstanding heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. When reinforced in the morning, he organised an attack on a strongly-fortified village, and showed a fine example of dash, personally leading the assault and capturing five hundred prisoners, wherh again he was wounded. Later in the afternoon he was again severely wounded, but refused to leave the line until he had issued final instructions. The personality, valour, and utter contempt for danger on the part of this single officer enabled our lodgment in the most advanced objective, and on tins point d’appui the line was eventually formed.

(Note. —-Freyburg was the heroic “Colonel” cabled on Novembei 21 and 22.)

SEMI-OFFICIAL STATEMENTS.

PEACE OFTER REFUSED.

GREECE ACCEPTS OUR TERMS.

Prass Association —Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.5 a.m.) Loudon, December 15. Semi-official statements in all the capitals indicate the refusal of the German peace offer, and that Greece has accepted the Allies’ demands.