NEW ZEALAND DIVISION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLII, Issue 10119, 29 October 1917, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND DIVISION.

THEIR RECENT OPERATIONS. GENERAL GODLEV'S REPORT. (Feb Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Oct. 26.^ In the House this afternoon, the Minister for Defence read the following; Nummary of work of the New Zealand division for ilie month 'of October. supplied by General Godloy: The division took part, with greaf ami complete success in the British advance on October 4. The division attacked at 6 a.m. on a front of 2000 yards, and captured Oravenstafel village, Abraham heights, Berlin woods and Kronprinz farm. besides numerous other fortified points and trench elements. All objectives were taken according- to timetable, behind the artillery and machine-gun barrages. The artillery co-operation was good. The German positions were penetrated to a depth of 1700 yards. At points.- the- enemy fought well al lir.-t. but later surrendered freely. One thousand one hundred and fifty-nine prisoners of four different German divisions wen- taken, and also 59 machine-guns. The t-])vm\- were so disorganised that nu serious counter-attack was made. One counterattack on ,-t small scale was destroyed tit the outset, dming the assembly. East ot Kronprinz farm the enemy suffered a serious set-back and lost valuable ground, hefore being relieved the captured ground was consolidated and trenches dug 1 . the division again engaged on October li. and attacked IJellevue spur. Enemy wire entanglements and very heavy machine-gun fire from the "pill-boxes," combined with the bad state of the ground, held up tno attacking brigade.-. Battalions attacked in turn with great determination, but wore unable- to penetrate the enemy s defences. Home progress was made nevertheless, and 93 prisoners taken. ' Since October 12 there have been no offensive operations, but the line gained has been consolidated and held till relieved. The Minister added that deforce orders for Messines were captured, and had been retained as an official war:trophy jor NewZealand. The enemy Wits relying on live -concrete strong points in tlie town.