THE NEW ZEALANDERS

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 38, 14 August 1917, Page 7

THE NEW ZEALANDERS

GALLANTRY AT LA BASSEVILLE

TROOPS WERE FROM WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND.

(Special Despatch from the Official War i Correspondent, Captain Ross.)

9th August.

The troops who distinguished themselves in the recent fighting at La Basse Ville and its vicinity were from Wellington, and Auckland: They fought with great gallantry. Several officers and senior n.e.o.'s became casualties very early in the Wellington unit, and at one stage four platoons were commanded by corporals. A captain distinguished' him : self. He led his company with conspicuoub gallantry in a successful raid^ and iilso showed "great bravery and initiative in repelling a German raid. One unit accomplished the difficult operation of clearing the hedgerows of the enemy and establishing advanced posts. A section of one platoon was stopped by heavy machine-gun fire, and met with casualties, being farced to withdraw to shell-holes; but subsequently, aided by the Wellington men, they rushed the position and captured two machine-guns. Tlie lieutenant was-wounded, but remained till the post was practically made secure. He then made his way to the dressingstation, but first reported to battalion headquai-ters. The sergeant then assumed command of the platoon and carried on iy spite of an injury from a shell explosion. Another party met a strong rifle fire, and was almost wiped out, the lieutenant being wounded. A third party was reduced to three, its corporal in command'being kill«d.\ A private took command of the remajns of these parties. He and another private fired rapidly at the attacking Germans, killing 'several, whereupon the remaining twenty-four Germans surrendered. 'One machine-gun, one minnemverfer, bombs, and a truckload of ammunition were,captured, and tho post established in an excellent position.

In the operations large numbers of the enemy were killed, and forty-five were taken prisoner. The morale of the prisoners was good. They were of fine physique, and had little complaint to make about their fool. They certainly fought j well. Nevertheless, there is evidence that the German Command now know they are beaten. Several of their Tegiments are at low strength. The men complain of the inaccurate shooting of their guns, and there is an indication of a shortage of aeroplanes. STEEL BODY ARMOUR Hardened steel body armour/ weighing nearly twenty-three pounds, is being used in tho front line. The fighting on our sector is now again a matter of artillery and patrols. The latter often meet and

[The cable news iv this issue accredited to "The Times" has appeared in tliat louroal, but only wheru enpr»«6ly «tattd It oucu nevt the Editorial opinion of "Tlie Ilmti,")

fire on each other in-the moonlight. The other night ono of our patrols came upon an enemy machine-gun crew ;n a shellbole. They bayoneted one and fired at the others as they fled, but owing to the heavy enemy fire were unable to bring the machine-gun back. The enemy has apparently been ■ ordered.not to-tsho w -himself by day, and remains for tho most part in shell-holes hidden by screens. Captured prisoners state that their famous aviator, Richthofen, received two bullet wounds in the head in a combat with a British airman over the German lines, but landed safely in a meadow and was taken to hospital.

The following Auckland men have received awards for gallantry in the La Basse Ville fighting: —

Bar to Military Medal—Private Chas. Quinn. Military Medal—Corporal Henry Malcolm, Sergeant Victor Wm. Inch, Private Robert Richard Smith.

Other recent awards aro: — Military Cross —Captain W. H. M'Lean. Distinguished Conduct Medal—Sergt. C. N. Devery and Private Vestßy —all of a Wellington unit.