GALLANT TERRITORIALS.

Northern Advocate, 22 July 1916, Page 3

GALLANT TERRITORIALS.

THE FIGHT AT GOMMECOURT.

CAUGHT IN A DEATH TRAP,

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Press Assn. —Reed. 8.50 p.m ) LONDON, July 2*l. Mr'Phillip Gibbs says: In the offensive the Territorials proved" great soldiers, both in attack and resistance. The Queen's Westminsters, Queen Victoria's Rifles, the London Rifle Brigade and Rangers and London Scottish, advancing on Gommecourt, reached the German lines and captured a network of trenches with- amazing speed. The enemy put up a barrage fire of high explosives through which no living thing could pass and; thfe Londoners were caught in a.death trap. Escape was cut off and the barrage fire smashed our communication trenches, preventing supports reaching the men in the captured salient. Their comrades desperately attempted to send ammunition. One party of 60 with hand grenades set out, but only three returned. The enemy organised a series of counterattacks and some enemy parties approached the Londoners from the northern position, whence they enfiladed th e London Scottish on the right where they were holding the Redoubt building and barricades. Ammunition grew scarce and bombs were almost exhausted. The Londoners gathered up the German bombs but the position became mpre ugly. The men, however, never lost heart. An officer rallied six good men and, ordered the others to retreat with the wounded and take their chance across "No Man's Land" while he put up a last fight. He stuck'to'the barricade until all but two were killed. He was the last to leave.. Gradually the, Londoners withdrew under great shell fire. Many wounded remained on the field, suffering great anguish fqr days. One officer, wounfled in the leg, crawled about the field for twelve days before he was rescued.