RAIDS ON THE TRENCHES.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1916, Page 3

RAIDS ON THE TRENCHES.

NEW ZEALANDER'S SUCCESS.

GOOE WORK BY ALL RANKS.

Accounts of a few of the raids carried out successfully by New Zealand troops in France have been received by the Minister for Defence, in a privata letter from an artillery officer of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

"From information I have received," said Mr. Allen, "it seems that the New Zealanders have been occupied fairly steadily in these raiding attacks, and as Tar a:? one can conclude they have been very successful. In one instance that I have before me, out casualties were slight, but the party, though ipute a small or.e. fcmight back ten prisoners, two of whom were wounded, and actually counted 15 dead Germans in the eu-my trench, who had been killed in the rind. This particular action was lead by Captain A. B. McColl. He got back to his own trenches, but returned to help stretcher hearers, who had got mtn dihSenities, and before he got back again was severely wounded by mud.;n» gun fire, and died before getting to the dressing station.

"In another raid our men remained in the enemy trenches for 15 minutes, and up till that time had no casualties. They did suffer a few casualties in returning, but :i very careful estimate showed that '2O Germans were killed and nine prisoners were brought in. This raiding party was led by Captain A. .1. Powley. Hie Urigadier-fJeiieral commanding expressed his appreciation of the excellent work done by all ranks, and the cool way in which all details wers carried through. "Concerning another raid, the iirigadier-General said: '1 oanr>.:t close this report without expressing apthe fine soldierly qualities displayed by non-commissioned officers and men, especially the leaders of the four sections. All the rank and file showed a fine offensive spirit.'" The writer of the letter goe? on to say: "It is with the deepest regret that we hear to-day of the death of Captain K..8. Alley, to whose training, leadership, and fine example this brigade owes the success of this enterprise. "The object of these raids," Mr. Allen continued, "is to collect information, and a great deal of very valuable information, about the enemy defences, the approximate strength of the garrison, and so on, has been obtained in this way."