MARCHING OVER SPIKES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 102, 27 May 1909, Page 4

MARCHING OVER SPIKES

ANCLO-GERMAX BATTLE WITH AFRICAN BUSHMEN. London. Martfli 27. (Details of the battle between the Aiiglo-Oenunn Boundary Commission and h thousand natives in an unknown district of Nigeria show* that the fignting was exceedingly fierce, a determined j attempt being made by the natives to cut oli' the European force. A noteworthy feature of the operations wag the hearty eo-operatiou of tile (lermans, one of the columns being led by Lieutenant von Stephani, the I German Commissioner, who, although I dangerously wounded, brought his! column out- of action. 1 Reuters Agency states that the combined force marched out of the base camp at Ronkwala at 5 a.m. Captain "Heathcote was in charge of the British column. .Lieutenant von Stephain's column was unablp to maintain communication with him owing to the dense undergrowth and elephant grass. Captain ]leathcote's column encountered the greatest difficulty, the track being blocked with trees and with pits, which were sometimes one hundred yards long. ' The route was' plentifully bestrewn with, sharp spikes, which pierced the soldiers' feet.

Lieutenant von Stephani's eoTumn experienced very heavy fighting in the bush. The Commissioner was wounded twice at the beginning of the attack, and two his men were.killed. Thebattle continued for an hour, during which a non-commissioned officer serving the German Maxim was shot. _ When the Hermans' retired, the natives surrounded the column and made repeated attempts to rush it.