A PHILIP GIBBS DESPATCH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 27 March 1918, Page 8

A PHILIP GIBBS DESPATCH.

THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE

SOMME

(Received March 27, 9.10 a.m.)

LONDON, March 26. Mr Philip Gibbs writes: The enemy1 on Sunday continued his efforts to advance, seeking to cross iJhe Somme south' of Peronrie and to break a way through the defences of Bapaume: He flung pontoon bridges and rafts across -the Somme. Our field artillery, firing at short range, smashed many bridges,-kill_! ing the engineers, and our infantry by a gallant counter-attack, flung the Ger-' mans back.at several points, but elsewhere the enemy held the crossings long enough to put over some forces. i Two fresh German divisions attacked ■ on Monday morning south of Peronne, >' and we were heavily engaged in holding them back with most resolute spirit.' The fighting Here since the 21»t has been continuous.. The battle divisions' folding the battle line, from Ctojiza.ii-1 court to Malssemy have shown magnifLj cent powers of endurance in the defence of Gouzeaoourt, and only, yielded ®Mtmu \mri.§r pressure ct overwhelming numbers and great gunfire. { Sir Douglas. Haig specially praises! the 24th Division for their defence of Liverguier. Her© a small body of the! Queen's FOUGHT TO THE LAST MAN, refusing to retreat when surrounded, and working their machine guns until put out of, action. The Lancashire' troops nearby were equally brave. The! 24th Division withstood the assault of seven German divisions. continued to press the 24th's until they fell back from the front line systems, , fighting every inch of the "4 A little, battles in woods and ruined chateaux, such as Grand Priel wood, Cauvrieres chateau, and Ferceque Farm, west of Hargicouri. The enemy secured high ground with observation and fought forward through the village of Ervillers, and .there was a bloody struggle in some old chalk quarries, where many German dead are now lying. When the enemy had come on some .<•■■ distance ten of our tanks dashed in and SHATTERED HIS BATTALIONS with machine guns. The tanks manoeuvred about, firing continually on each flank, and causing terror to the enemy's foremost assault troops'. Our men fell back to the Somme only when new masses of Germans passed through the battalions which we had beaten., ' The British field artillery and heavy guns were handled with « '' MARVELLOUS DISCIPLINE throughout trying hours in often untenable positions. The gunners hour after hour fired into the ranks of grey men, who came forward ceaselessly like a living tide, regardless of the,loss of life. Some of our guns were necesT sadly abandoned, but many were withdrawn across the Somme, the gunners showing wonderful skill and courage in making the passage. They went into action again like batteries manoeuvring at a military tournament. The Germans were so exhausted on Saturday morning that they made NO FURTHER EFFORT on some parts of the line, but halted to get sleep and await fresh rations. Our men were reinforced on Saturday and Sunday, and were given some relief, though many, despite weariness put up a most gallant fight against the enemy coming on again in an unending onslaught. Some enemy cavalry were seen on Sunday and Monday small bodies acting as scouts Our own cavalry patrols met them and turned them back in the neighborhood of Ham and the edge of the old Somme battlefields. French infantry were also FIGHTING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER with our men, giving them most gallant help. It is impossible to overpraise the way the Britishers tried to the uttermost limits of human endurance. Our army is now composed of dirty, unshaven heroes, who snatch half ,an hour's sleep in any pause of the fighting and then get rifles and machine guns ready for another bout It is thrilling to know that we are lighting on the OLD-TIME BATTLEFIELDS. Nature has filled the deserted trenches with grass and wild flowers, growing m the old shell craters. We came upon, a little cemetery where sleep the well-remembered dead. Now that the tide of battle has flowed back the new scenes are of the old-fashioned kind, recalling the OPEN FIGHTING of the early days of the war. Batteries are galloped into action, and patrols are moved out to establish contact with the enemy. The infantry take up positions, chattering and smokmg among the old ruins. The greatest novelty is a line of tanks crawling over the hill like enormous slugs, an excellent target for enemy guns, though not a shot is fired. The fact is that the enemy has not strong guns in the front lines. Nevertheless the dominating impression is that our mr iantry is calm, resolute, and undismayed, and marching forward one's heart i heats to see this PAGEANT OF HEROIC YOUTHS. Their bodies and spirit stand between j iis and a German victory, and their courage will break the enemy onslaught h in the second battle of the Somme. i