A GREAT DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1916, Page 3

A GREAT DAY.

! FOn, THE NEW ZEALANDEES. A Palnierßton boy. who is a subaltern in the Royal* Field Artillery was wounded slightly at the opening of the Scmme offensive but was anxious fo get into the fight again, and was delighted to be transferred to a battery supporting the New Zealanders. He writes:— "September 15 was the day of the prreat battle of the Tanks, another great day for New Zealand in this war, and as on August G I saw it all. "I volunteered to observe, and being accepted started off with wire and telephonists to occupy a, certain position, when the New Zealanders should take it. There I saw New Zealand's work, and proud I am that I, too, am a New Zcalander. Their advance was not only heroic, it was a marvel of order and discipline; well dressed lines of men in ex. tended order advancing at the double through barrages, and cross machine gun fire—very wonderful. It was just a huge field day with horse and casualties thrown in.

"An episode occurred which may amuse you, though it did not in any way amuse mo. at the time. I -was very near the advance troops folio-wing them up, when suddenly, the volume of barrage increased and immediately something like a rout occurred. Men fled past me towards the rear with all their speed of running. I was Horrified.. I thank my stars I did not gallant officer act rallying his men. Instead I popped into a shell hole and there intercepted one of the fugitives. "Where are you going!'' I said. "We are battalion carriers,'' he replied. The duty of these men was to adranee with the first line and then return for scores, ammunition, etc, So al! was explained and I raced on and soon came up to the. front line. Here the men were pitching the dead Bodies out of the. trenches in dozens, and strengthening the sawn as fast as they cculd, a perfect fury of labor. From there I could decide upon my destination and-the route by which to reach it, but I had to go tinck to my own line first, a very stormy passago which I did not look'forward to a bit. However, remembering that I had got through, and that my friends the carriers had got back I set off at a run, quite regardless of appearances, .avoidin" the beaten tracks as much a possilie" I soon became enveloped in a perfect smother of shells, and sure enough just short of my goal, one got me,