NEW ZEALANDERS' SUCCESS

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 74, 25 September 1916, Page 2

NEW ZEALANDERS' SUCCESS

THE MARK OF EFFICIENCY

IN EVERY BRANCH OF THE

SERVICE.

(Special from the New Zealand Official War Correspondent, Captain Malcolm Ross.) .

22nd September

During the fighting on our left, mentioned in the last telegram, an enemy trench was entered in silence, under cover of darkness, without much difficulty.. We then found our left was thinly held by Scottish, troops, who nad to fall back. This allowed the Germans to attack fiercely. The bomb fighting was very bitter, and the trenches were soon littered with the dead of both sides.' After being driven back twice, the Canterburys finally succeeded.in capturing the trench just before dawn. Fighting was strenuous all through the night. By aggressive action we cleared the enemy right off the position, and at once proceeded to consolidate. One captai.i particularly distinguished himself, shSwing splendid courage and energy. He continually rallied the tired and discouraged men and led them personally. The Army Commander-promptly wired his congratulations, and stated the troops deserved every credit for • their* gallantry and, perseverance. The Corps Commander, in another message, stated that the repeated attacks by the Canterbury.., renewed and'delivered with such energy and determination, spoke highly of the fine fighting qualities of all ranks: He particularly desired, to,express to the colonel in "command his appreciation of the sound conception of the plan, and to the captain who led the men his admiration of his gallant conduct and courageous leading. • The New Zealanders continue fighting with dash and, bravery in the Somme battle. The Commander-in-Chief telegraphed his appreciation and congratulations. The Corps Commander ■on on the right also forwarded congratulations, especially- referring to .the .assistance rendered his cause during the last few days. * ' ' '

Not only do we hold our line, but we have also protected positions on the right and left outside of our area. Last pight there was fierce fighting on our. loft. The Canterbury Battalions drove the enemy from their trench. The enemy ' counter-attacked furiously,' but suffered heavy losses. We counted 350 of their dead, and took twenty : two prisoners. '■''',' - '

During the last forty-ei|ht hours Our artillery .. has done magnificent work. ; In tho darkness, through -mud, rain, and heavy shelling, they shi f teel their batteries' forward into action over ground full of, craters, and by' midday yesterday al-' most all tlie guns.were in position,, and: had .registered. s The batteries were: shelling beautifully, the shells bursting; in. a row. on the enemy lines.. Our medical services are Second to: none. ' ' The stretcher-bearers, who wore first out, have done heroic work. At' one stage the. ambulance, transport even left the wagops and horses, under .a guard, and took spare Stretchers ,off the wagons and' made their way to the battalion, aid, post, from whence; 'they assisted .in .conveying. the Rifle, Brigade; Wounded imd_r shell lire, and over, difficult roads, to the ,field dressing station.. The D.J\l':S: Army, and"-the D.D;_I.S.: 0.6_-ps...express great satisfaction, stating^ that the organisation had . evacuation, were splendid of all casualties-. The clearing stations had .reported that the treatment of Wounded' received through tlie New Zealand, Medical Corps 'was superior to . anything previously seen, and not a singlo case got through "with-. out anti-tetanic serum treatment..

, Other branches of our force are doing excellent work.'-" The. transport have overcome extraordinary difficulties.' The engineers and pioneers, under 'adverse weather and shell fire, are rendering valuable/services. A canteen is estab-'. lished well forward. But, above' and beyond all this, One's greatest admira-* tion must be for. the splendid; .heroism and dash of the infantry. . They "went unflinchingly through all- the, terror of mo'deni, battle, with an absolute con : tempt for tlie "flower . of. the. German Army, and gained.the'furthest points in the ehemy:s lines. :'■■-'!