WITH THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1918, Page 2

WITH THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

THE -AnVAN"OB ON LK .QUESKOKV

(Special Despatch from the New Zealand Official Wai; Correspondent, Captain M. Ross.) Oct. 29. Our line remains almost stationary in the vicinity of the raiiway north-west of Le Quesnoy. Since the Rifles went into the line there have iieen only patrol actions. Posts were established across the railway, hut some had to fall back in the face of opposition from superior numbers, the enemy apparently thinking it was important to hold this position. One of our platoons, exploiting its success 'beyond the railway, was cut off, and apparently several were captured. They have not since been heard of. The enemy's shell-fire, including gas, has been heavier than for the past six weeks, and his machine-guns are active along the wlhole-corps front. Our men have been thrice counter-attacked. Each attack have been repelled, and our men more than made amends for their loss. One counter-attack following upon a heavy minenwerfer and artillery bonvbbardment, was replied by rifle and Lewis gun fire. The enemy suffering heavy losses. The enemy's forces are still practicaJly disorganised, and he has been compelled to throw into the line units under the command of divisions other than their own.

Recently a largo wooden cross was erected at a factory corner near Piers, in memory of the New Zealanders who fell in the second battle of the Sontme. The scene was a remarkable one. The party arrived at nightfall, and the cross was erected by candlelight amidst a scene of desolation, in wfliich there was no sound of gun nor sign of living man.

One of our batteries of field artillery has been selected as the model battery of the whole army, and will proceed to the base for two or three months to act as such. The general, addressing them just after coming out of the line congratulated them upon the fhonor. There is a great demand for thi; year's Christmas magazine, which excels last year's both in letterpress and illustrations. Twelve tons of paper were secured for the issue, and will provide only a sufficient supply for the troops. Sales to the public are, under the circumstances, impossible. Fifty thousand Christmas cards have been sold. The line in our sector for the moment is stationary. The Eifle Brigade is carrying on good work from positions left them by the South Island Brigade, and are harassing the enemy night and day on the northwestern flank of the fortress of Le Quesnoy. An English division on our right is doing equally good work. A night raid, under cover of an artillery and trench mortar bombardment was carried out by one officer and two platoons, and resulted in several of the enemy being killed, and the capture of two machine-guns and three prisoners. Our casualties were nil.

Later, in broad daylight, one officer and five men, with a Lewis gun followed a medium trench-mortar sihoot along the railway. A patrol officer, seeing forty of the enemy gathering near the bank within one hundred yards of the rim, rushed in and killed some. The remainder showed signs of faltering at this juncture, and the rest of tihe patrol came up. All the enemy were either killed or captured. Our men returned triumphantly with one officer and thirty other prisoners. These plucky New Zealanders will play a conspicuous part in the fall of Le Quesnoy. It is a town fortified on the Vauban system, with an outer moat 45 feet wide and tihirtyeix feet deep, and a redoubt every 200 yards. There are underground vaults, cellars, and barracks, capable of sheltering between one thousand and tv>o thousand men. The civilians were told to leave the town on October 27. The German orders were that the town was to be held at all costs. Nevertheless it wiy fall. In the meantime the enemy is said to be feverishly working on the Mons-Maubeuge, or Brunhilde line, to which a retirement may ultimately 'be made. It is reported the line is being dug largely by civilian labor. The news of the Eastern armistice, while inspiring our troops to final victory, had been quietly received at the front.