A WAR STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1929, Page 3

A WAR STORY

H AMPS HIRES RUSH GERMAN

GUNS.

The..24th. Hampshire Regiment left its''"brigade" in" our"great attack on Nov. 4th. 1918. Before daylight came the- Hampshire men were assembled north-east qf Ruesnes behind the embaiikiiient.)of; tlie Valenciennes railway. The Gerimyi -machine gunners, as usual, were the backbone of the deienee and not easily overcome. The right company of the Hampshires lost its commander wounded hut the men pressed on and cleared the enemy from the bed of a ravine where three machineguns and 55 Germans Aveie taken.

Farther to the left the Hampshires came up against a strong post in a copse and a sharp light ensued until the machine gun detachment here was killed or captured. The way now led up a steep slope towards the Le Quesnoy—Orsinvul road. From houses and orchards the Germans brought a heavy fire to bear upon our men, hut the Hampshires, whose Lewis guns did good work, were too keen and quick for the-defenders.

In spite of their machine guns and trench mortars the latter were overwhelmed with fire and rushed with the bayonet, and soon most of those who. survived were glad to surrender. By the time the Hampshires had reached the road which was their appointed objective their captures amounted to 14 machine guns, 4 trench mortars, and nearly 300 Germans.