HOW THE NEW ZEALANDERS TOOK MESSINES

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 138, 11 June 1917, Page 5

HOW THE NEW ZEALANDERS TOOK MESSINES

WENT THROUGH WITH MAGNIFICENT ELAN. UNTJSUAIXY LIGHT CASUALTIES IN DASHING ATTACK, (Received 9.30 a.m.) S BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IX FRANCE, June 8. The recent tremendous artillery bombardment culminated to-day in a, brilliant new British offensive, which lias dealt the enemy another blow that should go far to assist in winning the war. The New Zealanders. who for the past month have been hard at work on their preparations, were allotted the great honour of attacking Messines. which, on the crest of the famous ridge, has dominated our front line in this part of Belgium ever since the British were driven off in 19U. They succeeded brilliantly, carrying out their allotted task m a manner altogether worthy of their traditions of Gallipoli and tli-j fc-omme. <■ Tlie spectacle st ilie faintest blush of dawn when our troops advanced to attack was one of the mo.-t thrilling ever seen in battle. Immediately our gun.- began their terrible barrage, great mines in vast masses of earth and smoke and lurid flame shot skyward with awesome effect, making the ground rock and quivpr as if stricken with earthquake. T!i.- moment of attack came as a great surprise to the enemy, who only that night had put Bavarian troops, in his line. The mines exploding and the Commencement of a terrific bombardment told the enemy that the longexpected attack hard come at last, but his frontic S.O.S. went up in vain. Before his guns could open, tiie infantry had already captured his first line and were proceeding behind their creeping barrage to Messines itself and objectives still further afield. Whipped with the hail of shot and shell, the j-idg-c was soon hidden behind a pall of dust and smoke, through which the lTilliant green of the enemy's signals of distress and the Hashing of our bur.-ting shells made weird pyrotechnic effects. Bart of our troops led the attack on the left of Messines. and part fought on tile right. Some went on through half the village to the left, one battalion of Killcs going through the front of the village, which they both h<"i'l. Two machine.guns in the right sector of the village, missed in the advance, made matters unpleasant lor the Riflos. but they were soon silenced. As the sun rose above the grey bank of smoke and dust we saw the men of one brigade advancing through the smoking ruins of Messines to take up an ohjfx'titp still faither ahead. Early in the morning their brigadier himself walked ail along this line, and reported all well—a brave performance. Later vie Australian troops came through the New Zealanders. advancing to still further objectives. Numbers of German dead lie in front of and iv Mcssine*. and hundreds of prisoners have already been captured. Sump went down on their knees, crying. "Mercy, kamerad!" Others wept. Various batches that passed our trenrii seemed greatly shaken, and were glad to be captured. Our \ ictorious troops went through their ranks with magnificent elan, Scorning every danger. Many British troops on tiie left and other Australians on the right fought Magnificently, carrying all their objectives. Just after I left the. field th» enemy was reported massing for a counterattack, but if the Army can hold its present gains the great battle will have fitartel auspiciously. Our young airmen, who did not escape scathiess, accomplished most wonderful and daring feats. They held complete mastery of the air. Our casualties so far. especially considering the great strength of the position attacked, were unusually light. Walking cases coming back across the open country were cheerful and jubilant.— (Special from the Official War Correspondent, Mr. Malcolm Ross.) FURTHER GROUND GAINED AT MANY POINTS. (Received 12.30 p.m.) LONDON", dune 10. Sir Douglas Haig reports: "We gained further ground at a number of point* southward of Yprcs. We made successful raids last night south-eastward of Kpehy, north-west of St. Quentin. north-eastward of Vpres, and southward of Arrnentieros. We also repulsed raiders eastward of Le Sergieur, in the St. VuentLu sector, and south-westward of La Bassee.— (A. and N.Z. and Router.) A German official message say.-: "We repulsed several English night advances between Ypres and PJoegsteert Wood. The enemy lost in Flanders lii aeroplanes duriug Friday and Saturday."-- (Admiralty, per Wireless.)