SOMME ATTACK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 219, 15 September 1943, Page 2

SOMME ATTACK

27 YEARS AGO TO-DAY

NEW ZEALANDERS' PART

At G. 20 a.m. on the morning of September 15, 27 years ago to-day, the New Zealand Division delivered its first attack on the soil of France. Leading that attack were the units of the Auckland and Otago Regiments, while immediately behind them was a battalion of "The Dinks," the Rifle Brigade. "In a wide circle of flame and with a crash of sound," said one historian, "the creeping barrage descended on the Hun trenches," with the Aucklanders and Otagos pressing home the offensive.

The Second Battalion (Auckland Regiment) which led the attack, lost six officer and 52 other ranks killed that morning, while the total casualties for the day numbered 309. T!he attack was launched in the direction of Flers, and it is notable that during the day the New Zealanders saw tanks for the first time and co-ordinated their advance with them.

"Here and there," states one account of the battle, "not quite keeping pace with the infantry, were tanks, the mysterious new weapons of war, whose advent had been heralded by confused rumour and no certainty. They were a real presence and inspiration to victory to our men and a great fear and terror to the enemy."

That day was the first of many long days of hard but successful fighting by the New Zealand Division, and hundreds of old Diggers to-day will revive many memories of deeds of daring during the heat of battle and of many comrades who gave their all on the storied battlefield of the Somme.