THE ATTACK ON GRAVENSTAFEL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10110, 18 October 1917, Page 7

THE ATTACK ON GRAVENSTAFEL.

HEROIC DEEDS. (Special Despatch from N.Z. Official War Correspondent. —By Cable.) LONDON, Oct. 14. The weather has been simply appalling. The battlefield is such a sea of mild and waterlogged shell-holes that continued success for our last attack was an utter impossibility. In addition, our men found themselves confronted with machine guns in strong; concrete positions, fronted with barbed wire that had not been cut. by the artillery. Under the circumstances, we had to be content with a very .small advance. Nevertheless. Ave have accounted For many Germans, and have taken some prisoners. The difficulties in transport and getting in the wounded have been great, but are being gradually overcome, and the weather at last 'seems settled for tine. The division mourns the loss ol several brave officers and men. Many deeds of great heroism were performed' in this fight, especially in connection with tho rescue of the wounded. Our difficulties can be imagined when it is stated that it takes six men six hours to bring in one wounded man from the front.

In the attack on Gravcnstafel on October -I. which was so successful, many heroic deeds were recorded, such as will make the victory live in our history. The manner in which officers and men risked almost certain death or wounds in storming the concrete ma-chine-gun positions, either killing or capturing the crews, is worthy of the best traditions of the New Zealand men. .Many worked and fought till they were utterly exhausted. Others carried on after being wounded. One man, armed only with a revolver, rushed a machine-gun position. His bravery led another man to follow him. Both were wounded, and the second man, has since died, but their action enabled others of their section to get up; the gun was captured and the crow killed. A Wellington corporal, badly wounded, lay upon the ground and kept urging his men to attack till a post was captured and its mach-ine-gun crew killed. A Canterbury sergeant, badly wounded, was in command of his 'platoon, and continued directing and encouraging his men until he became paralysed and helpless. Throughout, he remained cheerful. An Auckland lieutenant, acting as adjutant of his battalion, had his commanding officer and acting-second in command wounded shortly alter the attack commenced. He took command of the battalion, which reached its final objective. Though only one junior officer per company was left, he succeeded in holding the hue and repelling three counter-attacks. An Auckland corporal, just before reaching our objective, bad his arm blown off. With splendid determination he refused assistance, ordered his men to push on, and by his coolness and courage steadied them at a trying period. These are only a few of the many brave and daring'deeds that were done in this battle that will redound to the credit of New Zealandcrs for all time. _^___