BATTLE OF FLERS.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 September 1919, Page 2

BATTLE OF FLERS.

THE THIRD ANNIVERSARY. YoSN‘i’dll}’ W 35 the third anniversary of the Battle of Flers, at‘. which New Zealaml troops made a first appearance on the western front, and took a bx-il-liant part in the great battle of the Somme. The New Zealand troops gained their ‘objective xvlifch !aStonliS}lillg and _irl'esist‘ible dvash. Tlley crossed the parapets shortly .after six ;o’clock in the nlmlling, and six hours later they had carried the switch -line and taken Flers. An »a'irnl'an reported that they were cheering and laughing as they followed .a comp;la.cellt tank up the main street of the vai]l.age_

The New Zcalanders were not. allowed to hold their hard-won ground without Challenge, and strong e(ounter—attacks were continually {l.aunehe=d [against them. They stood up to their I work as nobly as when on the zlttuek, iand every attempt to oust them from fitheir trenches failed nt.t.erly. So for from giving way, in the ebb of tlie lenen~ly’s attack they followed him and _gained fiul‘thel' glory and victory, In the New Ze-alend officiial war correspandent."s account of the battle, it was stated that the Otago and Auckland infantry were first over the parapet. and [they took the first t1"eT1cI1 iin their stride. Then while the i‘tdV.{lllCC guard [hold the line the Rifle Brigade passed ‘ through their ranks, behind a creeping [barrage of fire, to "c7apt.uré~ and retain ,a second line {of trenches, a. thousand ‘ yards beyond. The second day the New ‘Zezfland troops again pushed gallantly on and captured and held other German trenches, and were ready to push even further, but the general situation. ‘ in the immediate vicinity did not ‘per-‘ mit this. Their losses, though several were not as heavy as might have been ‘ expected, considering the extent of the griound WOll. The Commander-in-Chief‘ felegraphed C-ongl'a‘tul.-ati:Onsy, and thanked the New Zeaiand troops for their successful attacks, adding that they showed fine fighting spirit and admirable energy and dash. Several arniy

corps commanders also wired" congra tulations.