LOCKER-LAMPSON.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 November 1917, Page 5

LOCKER-LAMPSON.

A STORY OF BRAVERY IN RUSSIA.

It was recently reported that J M. Kerensky had sent a (special messaflfe of thanl.j to Sir Eric Geddes, First Lord of Hie Admiralty, for the invaluable and heroic work of Commander Loekerl.ampson and his armoured car irait on the Galieian front, Sir Eric Geddes replied, stating:—"l am confident that the squadron will continue to fight gallantly with its Russian comrades in the great cause, which we are determined will triumph." The story of Commander Looker-Lamp-60n's bravery makes thrilling reading. The Morning Post's Putrograd correspondent, cabling on 24th July, gave details of the collapse of the Russian 11th Army in the Galieian rout, and adds:-t "Th,e brightest spot in this disgraceful debacle Was the gallantry of the British armoured-car division, under Commander T.oeker-Lampson. The division remained behind tin.- retreating infantry, fighting a rearguard action, and thfey successfully held up the German advance for a time. When last seen, the British cars were absolutely alono between the advancing Germans and the retreating Russians, firing steadily, with great effect. It is not known whether the cars extricated themselves or not.'" Later accounts showed that Commander Locker-Lampson safely conveyed the British nurses from Podhajoe to Prosknrow.

A few days afterwards a Petrograd message dealing with the fighting around Trembovla said:—

"Commander Locker-Lampson's cars each fired three thousand rounds, and tendered invaluable aid in checking the enemy's advance. The severest fighting Was in the villages to the west of Trcm. bovla, where the cars .ambushed the enemy in houses and courtyards, and killed them wholesale. "The incident rallied the Russians in that district, causing them to entrench and drive off the enemy from several positions. "Commander Locker-Lampson on 24th July, owing to the. precipitate flight of two divisions, was invited to fill up the gap 15 miles to the northward of Laskovce. as far as Trembovla. The cars, undertaking the task, inflicted heavy losses on the advancing Austrians. Commander Locker-Lampson drove a car towards a hillock on which Austrian officers were standing, and, plunging into the midst of the party of 3D, at 50 yards range, swept off the whole lot. The car escaped. "T)ie cars were often under severe shellfire. A direct hit blew the engine out of one car. and it was abandoned after the guns and material had been removed.

"Sub-Lieutenant Wallace and all the crew of another ear were wounded by a shell. Driver Swan was among the chief sufferers, but he drove his car to safety.

"The cars on 26th July routed the German cavalry between Czortkoff and Trembovla. Altogether, Commander Jjoeker-Lampson's men held up the Germans and Austrians on the whole front for 21 hours, affording the Russian commander a useful respite. They continued on 27th .July to cover the retreat, which was then settling into a normal "ithdrawal."