CAPTURE OF FLERS

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 76, 27 September 1916, Page 8

CAPTURE OF FLERS

NEW ZEALANDERS' PART

BRILLIANT WORK ACCOM-

PLISHED

(Special from the N.Z. Official War Cor-

respondent, Captain Malcolm Ross.) 24th September.

Further details of the fighting show that though it was.not included in their area, the New Zealanders greatly assisted in the capture of Flers. After charging through the village they advanced in the open,'and a subaltern with seven men fought a German field battery, knocking out one gun before they were shelled back from their position. The Rifle Brigade, in making a splendid effort in the offensive, succeeded in penetrating 3200 yards into the enemy territory. The Wellington Battalion, coming up,, held during the night the whole line in. front of Flers, thus greatly helping the division on their right. A Rifle Brigade captain who was killed greatly distinguished himself. .._ The Canterbury Battalion has continued lighting with dash and gTeat gallantry. After the bitter night fighting described in previous messages, -in which they were victorious, they smashed a further attack led by German bombers from three directions. Owing to a difficulty in the supply of our bombs, the enemy succeeded in driving _ our bombers and riflemen back. AVhile still being heavily pressed, the gallant captain referred to in the message of the 22nd, decided on counterattacks in the open. Climbing out of the trenches, the men charged forward with magnificent elan, and the Germans, seeing their onrush, turned and fled, pursued by the New Zealanders, who .did not stop till they had inflicted heavy casualties and captured a machine-gun. The enemy left a hundred dead on the ground. ■ ' '