SOMME BATTLES.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15769, 9 December 1916, Page 8

SOMME BATTLES.

BKILLTANT SUCCESS OF THj NEW ZEALAXDEKS. ' CANTERBURY BATTALION SPLENDID GALLANTRY. OFFICIAL DESPATCHES. (MIKSS ASSOCIATION TELKURAJt.) WELL!XCTOX, December 8. In the Now Zealand Expeditionary Force orders, dated London, October 10th, 1016. L\ ii tenant-General Sir Alexander Godloy i.Gonenil Officer Conu manding) publislu-s the following mes- - which wore received by the N"e\r f Zealand Division as the result of the • part it took in the lighting on the Sommc. The G.O.C. adds "his most cordial congratulations to all ranks of the Division tor the success which the? have achieved," and states that "he be licvos tliat "o division of the armies in France has had a harder task, or been, in tho line for a longer continuous period, and ho U confident that the pooplo of the Dominion will be proud of what has been ;,/hioveil by their soldiers." " i From the Second Army:—"Many ! congratulations on your brilliant success. From Commander and Staff of the Second Army." I From tho Fourth Army Commander: —"Pleaso convey to all ranks of tho Now Zealand Division ui'y congratulations and thanks lor their successful attacks on September loth and lGth. They showed jiue lighting spirit and admirable energy and dash."' From tho Fifteenth Corns Common- . (ler: —"Tho Corps Commander has great pleasure in forwarding,the above, and desires to add his own appreciation of their good work.'' From the Third Corps Commander:— "Lieutenant-General Commanding tho Third Corps has requested the Corps Commander to convey to the New Zealand Division his appreciation of tho good work done by tliem on tho rifitof tho Third Corps, and of the assistuiCfl rendered by tnem to tho Third Cbrw during the last few days/' From the Fourth Army Coiumuudet: 1 —'Please, congratulate tho -New Zea- . land Division irom me on their excellent work in the Flers line, fjioy de« r servo every credit for their gnllantrv - and perseverance." , From the Fifteenth Corps Commno- ' der: —"The Corps Commander coni grutnlates General Sir A. H Russell . and the New Zealand Division on the success gained last night (20th and 21st inst.) by 2nd Battalion of tho Canteri bury llegiment. The repented attacks, ( renewed and delivered with such energy and determination, speak highlv of tho • fine fighting qualities displayed bv all . ranks. The Corps Commander particii- • larly desires to express to LioutonOTtColonol Stowart his high appreciation > of the sound conception of tho plan and to Captain Starncs his admiration of his gallantry and courageous lending." ' Letters from the Chief of tjie Genetal Stuff to the Commander of the Fourth Army:—"A copy of a telegram sent today from the Commander-in-Chief to the New Zealand Government is forwarded herewith for your information and communication to tho Now Zealand Division. The Commander-aa-Chief desires tc add his warm congratulations to the Division on the splendid record they htre achieved.'' The telegram from the Commander in-Chief, referred to above, reads as follows:—"The New Zealand Division has fought with great gallantry in tho Spmmc battle for twenty-three consecutive days, carrying out with oouinleto success every task sot, and always doing oven more th&n was asked of it. Tho Division has won -universal confidence and admiration. No praise can bo too high for. such' troops." Letter from the I'ourth Arniv to tho Fifteenth Corps:—"Tho Army Cora- ' mander desires you to convoy to the Now Zealand Division his congratulations on the well-deserved praise they have received from the Commander-in-Chief, and his admiration of their gallantry and success." I Letter from tho Fifteenth Corps to the New Zealand Division:—'l havO "much pleasure in forwarding to you a copy of a telegram addressed by the Commander-in-Chief to tho Government of Notv Zealand, and his remarks that aro attached, together with those of tho Army Commander." (•rtciAi, to "thh pbiss.") WELLINGTON, December 8. . In general orders of tho New Zealand Expeditionary Force, just received by tho Defence Minister, is contained s message from the Commander of the ." Fifteenth Army Corns which refers to tho splendid gallantry of the Canterbury's on an occasion in tho Somnw battles, when they wore sore beset. The Corps Commnnder specially mentions tho valour of Captain Ktnines, who is tho officer Mr Philip Gibbs, the war correspondent, referred to in his account of tho action as "a very splendid and heroic man.*'

Captain Stamps lias been awarded the Distinguished Service OrdiT, doubtless in recognition of hi 3 gallant Icadershi- on this occasion.