NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1916, Page 7

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ACTION.

BRILLIANT AGHIFA'EJIENTS,

[Special from the New Zealand Official JVar Correspondent, Captain Jlalcolm Ross.)

September 18. Having gninrJ our objective on the 15th. the New Zealand artillery were able to send for their teams, limber up, and rush theii guns to new positions behind what has been our front line. This for them was the supreme moment. For the first time in the war they experienced the glorious sensation of fulfilling the true functions of field artillery. Their siiooting had been splendid. The switch trench, which the infantry bad captured so brilliantly, was in many places obliterated. Many Germans must havo been killed and even buried by our shelling. The wire entanglements had been well cut up all along the lino. This was all the more creditable be cause the switch trench could not be seen, and the gunners were tiring jy map. '

After the first day's long advance a -German threatened? countor-atyack was prevented by our artillery,, which promptly switched on to the grouna across which the enemy was likely to advance. Later, anotlver. counter-attack was dispersed by our infantry firing and rushing forward with bayonets: The Germans turned and ran. We now have not only our allotted lines, but also portion of a line farther on the right. The corps commander thanked the New Zcalanders for chcir sporting aad timely action.

Following up their success on the 15th, the New Zeatanders on the second day pushed gallantly on and captured and held other German positions. The attack fell to the First Brigade, which fought with the same dash and determination as the others. Our troops were ready to push still further, but the general situation in the immediate vicinity did not permit this. Our losses, tk. ,igh severe, were- not so heavy as m jlit have been expected, considering the extent of the ground won. We penetrated the German lines to a depth of about three thousand yards. The Commander-in-Chief (Sir Douglas Haig) telegraphed congratulations, and thanked the New Zealanders for their successful attacks, adding that they showed a fine fighting spirit and admirable energy and dash. Several army corps commanders also wired their congratulations upon the brilliant achievements of the New Zealanders. INFANTRY'S SPLENDID DASH. ' AGAINST THE FLOWER OF THE GERMAN ARMY, September 22. During the fighting on our left, mentioned in the first telegram, an enemy trench was entered in silence, under cover of darkness, without much difficulty. We then found our left was thinly held by Scottish troops, who had to fall back, fn' lß allowed the Germans to attack fiercely. Bomb fighting was very bitter, and the trenches were soon littered with dead of both sides. After being driven back twice, the Canterburys finally succeeded in capturing the trench, just before dawn. Fighting was strenuous all through the night. By aggressive action we cleared the enemy right off the position, and at once proceeded to consolidate.

One captain particularly distinguished himself, showing splendid courage and energy. He continually rallied the tired and discouraged men and led them personally.

The" Army Commander promptly wired his congratulations, and stated that the troops deserved every credit for their ] gallantry and perseverance. The Corps Commander, in another message stated that the repeated attacks by the Canterburys, renewed and delivered with such energy and determination, spoke highly of the fine fighting qualities of all ranks. Ho particularly desired to express to the colonel in command his appreciation of, and sound conception of, the plan, and to the captain who led the men his admiration of his gallant conduct and courageous leading. The Sew Zealanders continue fighting with dash and bravery in the Sofnme battle. The Commander-in-Chief telegraphed his appreciation and congratulations. The Corps Commander on the right also forwarded congratulations, specially referring to the assistance rendered his cause during the last few days.

. .Not only do we hold our line, but we have also protected positions on the right and left outside our area. Last night there was fierce fighting on our left. Tiie Canterbury Battalion drove the enemy from their trench. The enemy counter-attacked furiously, but suffered heavy losses. We counted 350 of their dead, and took 22 prisoners.

During the last forty-eight hours our artillery have done magnificent work. In the darkness, through mud, rain and heavy shelling, they shifted their 'batteries forward into action over ground full of craters, and by mid-day yesterday almost all the guns were in position anil had registered. The batteries were shelling beautifully, the shells bursting in a row on the enemy lines. The medical services are second to none. The stretcher-bearers, .vho were first out, have done heroic work. At one stage the ambulance transport even I left the waggons and horses under a 'guard, took spare stretchers off the waggons, and made tJeir way to the battalion aid post, from whence they assisted in conveying the RiHe Brigade wounded, under shell fire and over dillieult roads, to the field dressing station. The .D..M.S. Army and the ■D.D.M.S. Corps express great satisfaction, stating that the organisation and evacuation was splendid, of all lasnalties. The bearing stations had reported that the treatment of wounded received through the New Zealand Medical Corps was superior to anything previously seen, J.nd not a single case got through without anti-tetanic serum treatment. Other branches of our force are doing excellent work. The transport have overcome extraordinary difficulties. The Kngineers and Pioneers, under adverse weather and shell fire, are rendering valuablesorvices. The canteen is established well forward, but above and beyond all this, one's greatest admiration must be for the splendid heroism and dash of the infantry. They went unflinchingly through all the terrors of modern battle, with an Absolute contempt for the flower of the Herman army, and gained the furthest points in the enemy's lines.