14TH ANNIVERSARY

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 293, 6 September 1932, Page 11

14TH ANNIVERSARY

Capture of Bourjonval by New Zealanders IMPORTANT VICTORY To-day marks the fourteenth anniversary of the capture of Bourjonval by the New Zealand Division during the “Great Advance” of the British armies in 1018. This was accomplished shortly before the smashing of the Hindenburg Line, in which the New Zealand Division also played a brilliant part. In accordance with the policy adopted at the beginning of September, 1918, instructions were issued by the Third Army on September 5 that, while constant pressure was to be maintained on the enemy by means of strong advanced guards, every opportunity was to be taken to rest and conserve our own troops. As a result the Fourth Corps on the nights September 5-16 carried out a series of reliefs, leaving only two divisions forward —New Zealand Division on the right, 37th Division on the left. The New Zealand Division handed over the whole divisional frontage to the 2nd Brigade, which, on account of Its increased frontage, placed three battalions forward —Ist Canterbury on the right, Ist Otago in the centre, and 2nd Canterbury on the left. Neauville-Bourjonval Falls. Behind a screen of Infantry patrols supplemented by a few sections of the Otago Mounted Rifles, the advance continued throughout September 6, meeting with but little opposition. NeauvilleBourjonval, in which the 42nd Division had gained a footing on the previous day. fell early,'and It was not till the afternoon that a check was experienced. Then Ist Otago was stopped in front of Metz-en-Couture, but, effectively supported by an advanced section of the 9th Battery, N.Z.F.A., it- quickly enveloped the village, and by 6 p.m had carried all Its defences. The German resistance was now stiffening, and the village arid its surroundings were being heavily shelled. On the right, Ist Canterbury had made good progress, and was On the objective, south and south-east of the village, and in close touch with Ist Otago. On the left of the divisional front. 2nd Canterbury was faced with the dense mass of Havrincourt Wood. If it should prove to be held,- rather than risk the hbavy losses involved by a direct attack, it was proposed to wait and envelop it. As late as 3 p.m. the wood was found to be strongly held, but ■ soon after, air reports indicated that the enemy was moving. Two companies thereupon began to advance through it, moviqg in close touch with ’the troops of the flanking division. By 10 p.m., after a most arduous and trying advance, 2nd Canterbury was within 50 yards of the objective along the eastern edge of the wood. 5 i Strong Opposition. Here, however, a strong system of enemy posts was encountered, against which any movement would require most detailed reconnaissance. The bat-’ talion therefore consolidated ,for the night in close touch with Ist Otago. Oil the northern flank, however, two of the Canterbury platoons had gone astray during the passage of the wood, rind touch with the 37th Division was lost; A defensive flank was therefore formed by the support companies, while officers’ natrols searched fruitlessly for the missing patrols.. The losses within the division during the day had been slight, while the day’s captures ranged from a 5.9 in. howitzer to the inevitable machineguns. Only toward the close of the day had the opposition been severe, a warning of the bitter fighting of the next few’ days before Trescault Ridge should pass into our possession. Special Recital To mark the anniversary, a special recital will be given on the National War Memorial Carillon. Miss Gladys Watkins will open her recital by playing the Westminster Chimes on the bells, and sounding the hour on “Reo Wairua” (which means “Spirit Voice”). Then, in honour of the New Zealand Division, she will sound “The Somme” (the next largest bell, which has been specially dedicated to the memory of the Division) six or seven times, the object being to enable those who served in the Division in France to learn the note of their own bell. She will then play the following:— “Andante Cantabile” (Jef Denyn), “The, Meeting of the Waters” (Irish), “Song. Without Words” (Mendelssohn), “The Miller of Dee ’’(English), “The Last Rose of Summer,” “Vous Dansez Marquise” (Lemaire), “Auld Lang Syne” (Scotch). Then, having sounded “The Somme” six or seven times again, Miss Watkins will conclude with the National Anthem played on the big bells.