SINCE BAPAUME.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1917, Page 2

SINCE BAPAUME.

DOINGS OF THE ANZAC CORPS. i General Birdwood, in an interview t with the Sydney Sun representative in London, said:— "Though we are not on the spot where the big captures have been made, we have done our bit. We have been highly complimented by the Chief and the army commander. The other day Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig came to see us. He could not have been more complimentary about our work in and around Bapaume and concerning the fine spirit of the men. "Yesterday, the army commander telegraphed, 'Best congratulations on the operations for the capture of , , and . They were skilfully planned and gallantly carried out. Since the end of February the enterprise and tactical skill and gallantry of the Anzac Corps have been remarkable and deserving of the highest commendation."* General Sir W. Birdwood: adds: "The (boys indeed deserve the commander's commendation, and the heartiest congratulations, which I received from the Com-mander-in-Chief. All the men are in the best heart, <and the highest fettle, and are determined to do their utmost to insure the defeat of tho Germans." The wounded men in London appear to be in excellent spirits and agree that the taking of .Bapaume and extensive openair lighting brought about general exhilaration, despite the recent abominable weather. General Birdwood recently wrote: "The Australians have captured 24 villages since Bapaume, and there was some real hard fighting for the possession of three or four of them. They thoroughly bested the Germans on each occasion, knocking out quite a lot, whilst our casualties were slight."