NEW ZEALANDERS AT FLERS

Nelson Evening Mail, 14 November 1916, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS AT FLERS

('Copied from Life for the Nelson Mail by G.S.H.)

"'At jrozieres the Australians added to the records of British soldiership a storv which deserves to be immortal. The New Zealanders had their turn, later, at 'Fiers, and the tale of their exploit will compare with anything in the history of the present war. They leaped from their trenches at 6.20 a.m., carried the first enemy's trench by 7.20; the main German third line to the left of Flers was reached before 11, and by a little after 12 the New Zealanders had reached and carried the advance positions some BCO yards beyond Flers. For swiftness, skill, and certainty that is a magnificent record; the New Zealand lads were simply irresistible. ißut the position so gallantly won was difficult to be held. It -was of immense value to the Germans, and its left flank was exposed, ar the English troops, who should' have kept step with the jSTiew Zealanders, were temporarily driven back. From the eveningi'of "September 15th to -sunset of September 21st, a series of fierce attacks beat upon the position the New Zealanders had won. and was answered by as many counter-attacks, iix> fignt raging incessantly, storms of bombs alternating with fierce bayonet charges. But what the New Zealanders won they held ! They did more, indeed, than hold what they had won; they pushed the Germans bade, and carried a strong positon comprising two trenches across the German third main line. Later, they advanced on. a mile front, capturing the space between {Flers and Martinpuich, and at last joining hands with the English troops. The lads from- the [Dominion showed that not only could they carry one German trench after another by the mere fire and speed of their attack; they could hold their gains, and even extend them, with a cool skill and stubbornness of valour that the best veteran troops in the world could not exceed."