THE MORMAL FOREST.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1918, Page 2

THE MORMAL FOREST.

CANTERBURY'S GREAT ACHIEVEMENT, (Special from the Official War Correspondent.) November 11. The part played by the First Canterbury Battalion in the final battle in wliich the New Zcalanders were engaged is worthy of special mention. What they did aided greatly in the eventual capture of Morinal Forest. After the barrage that was put down to give them direction, they advanced very quickly till they approached the northern forester's house, where they were held up temporarily by heavy machine-gun fire. Quickly realising the situation they worked round the positioa and captured prisoners and three guno. They bad to fight their way across open spaces coming through thick undergrowth, and in places through a forest of tall trees. From the momeit they entered the undergrowth they became soaked to the skin, and in that condition they fought all day. The enemy was shooting from prepared positions with rifles and machine guns at cross roads and in other parts of the forest. In one place the enemy got round one of the companies, which had to fight its way out of a difficult position. This they did brilliantly, killing and wounding several of the enemy and capturing three officers -and 100 other prisoners. For a considerable part of the advance they were getting machine-gun ftro from tlie left flank a3 the other troops were between 2000 and 3000 yards behind, yet in this bush warfare our men showed such fiii 6 initiative and dash that the. casualties were comparatively light. After they had gained their objective, the Second Canterbury® dashed* ahead on the right, and went on to a further objective, Throughout the day it was- msinly a question of individual fighting. One platoon se?'geaj»t- eeially distinguished himself in clearing up a difficult situation, and capturing 30 of the enemy, but it. is particularly difficult to get any account of special work by individuals, for the men are so modest they will not speak of their own efforts, and owing to the nature of the fighting in the fore3t officers could seldom see what they were doing, but in any case where all fought <ic brilliantly, it is perhaps unnecessary to pai t.'cularise.. .