ROSSIGNOL WOOD

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13949, 30 July 1918, Page 5

ROSSIGNOL WOOD

An Important Capture NEW ZEALANDERS’ SUCCESS. DISTINGUISHED GENERAL’S PRAISE. Special from the N.Z. Official War Correspondent (Captain Malcolm Ross). By Cable, July 24. This evening, in broad daylight, by an attack that gave them the high ground in front of Rossignol Wood, the Now Zealanders put the coping-stone upon the ere that they have gradually been extending into enemy area since they re-entered the line. The attack was carried out by a small force of Otago men, who, after a short trenchmortar bombardment, went over the top with great dash and captured their objectives south-east of that famous shattered wood. The attack had been planned for the day before, but torrential rains caused it to be deferred. This afternoon the weather cleared, and soon after the attack had finished the sun shone brilliantly. The ground gained denies observation to the enemy on an important part of the line. Our casualties in the attack were very light, but. 50 of the enemy were killed, many were wounded, and three prisoners and five machine-guns wore captured. The heavy artillery co-operated on the flanks. The enemy’s retaliatory bombardment was heavy, especially on Rossignol Wood, which was temporarily turned into a smoking inferno; but fortunately it was ineffective. After the successful capture of this ground, some of our men began to .move forward to further exploit the success, but we remained content with the gains, as planned. The recent fighting has been largely n soldier’s battle, but all the attacks were well planned, and the officers and men acquitted themselves with groat credit. The initiative and patrol work that had made the men familiar with the ground have been largely responsible for the success, but at the back of it all is the high morale of our men, which has been and is simply splendid. A GRATIFYING LETTER. That this initiative and these efforts are fully appreciated is apparent from a letter sent by the Army Commander to the New Zealand Force, published in to-night’s Routine Orders. It runs as follows: —"I would ask you to convey to the G.0.C., New Zealand troops, my sincere appreeiatou of the operations that have led to th e evacuation of Rossignol Wood and the adjoining trenches by the enemy. These operations, lasting over several days, have reduced the extent of our lino, placing the enemy in an extremely difficult position, That this result has been obtained without check and with few casualties is due to persistent enterprise o» the part of all ranks, and to thoughtful preparation and skilful leading on the part of the commanders. The Now Zealanders are to be warmly congratulated on their spirit and initiative, and I. desire that all ranks be informed of these few words of commendation and gratitude.’ This letter, written by an Army Commander who has had much experience with famous divisions, is greatly appreciated by all concerned. " SOME HEROIC INCIDENTS. Details of the work of the Rifle Brigade in the preliminary operations also show a line spirit on the part of the officers, non-coms, and men. One man, who was badly wounded in a counter-at-tack, was captured by the enemy and token into a dugout, whcr e there were several Germans, including some of their wounded. He resolutely refused to give any further information than he was compelled by the rules of war to give—namely, that he belonged to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. This news surprised the Germans, for on learning that it was the New Zealanders who were attacking, they at once boat a precipitate retreat, leaving the wounded man in the dugout. Weak from his severe wounds and loss of blood, he made several attempts to climb the steps from the dugout, but each time he fainted. Later, he discovered some black bread and a bottle of coffee. This refreshed him, and eventually ho crawled up the stops and across the intervening ground on one elbow and one knee, to his own trench, which he regained thirty hours later. He was able to give valuable information as to certain trenches, which another unit was thus enabled to capture later. During the operations a sergeant who had recently in the vicinity of Lassigny Farm, gained the D.C.M., and a bar to the same) medal, had his hand blown off and was otherwise badly wounded. His company commander and another man, who were with him, carried him in. Salmond, of the Wellington Regiment, already referred to as killed while patrolling at Rossignol Wood early in' these operations, was with another officer and a corporal when they were suddenly mot with a shower of bombs. One of the officers was wounded and the corporal picked him up and carried him down the sap to safety, while the lighting continued. Salmond, in the meantime, bravely rushed to the post single-handed, and was seen to bo hit by two bombs. Only his steel helmet was found afterwards, so evidently the enemy carried his body away with a view to getting his identification and any papers he might have on him. VIGOROUS COUNTER-ATTACK DEFEATED, July 20. The enemy yesterday counter-; tacked determinedly with a view to regaining ground won the day before by the New Zealanders in front of Ro-sig-nol Wood. About 4 a.m. a bombing attack was repulsed. Between fi and i in the evening the enemy came on in considerable numbers, making three determined bombing attacks along the communication trenches leading to our new lint'. Two attacks on the left wore easily repulsed. On the right the enemy succeeded in forcing his way up to one of our posts, owing to th . New Zealanders’ supply of bombs having been blown up by a bursting -hell. Borne men from this post had gone back for more bombs. Here the enemy penetrated to a depth of throe hundred yards. He was immediately counterattacked in front and on both flanks. Some of his men were cut off by our barrage, and a considerable number wore killed and thirty prisoners wore taken. A machine-gun was captured,

and our line was ’ rv. tly ro-estab-llshod. »* Further west the a ■.-•my made still A another attempt, bn - vas driven bade by rifle tire and I. "im tire, with many casualties. >1; -,.r -ther it was a •rood day for th,> Ot men and a disastrous one for tfio enemy, who not only gained no ground, but met with heavy losses in hill 1. wounded, and prisoners. Onr eanv.nlties arc only twenty-llvo all told.