DOMINION ARMIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue 18, 23 January 1919, Page 8

DOMINION ARMIES

THEIR WORK IN 1918.

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG’S DESPATCH

LONDON, January 9.

, Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig’s long despatch, covering the period of fighting on the West front since the termination of the great defensive battles on the iSomme and Lys, contains numerous references to the doings of the Doiu f :on , forces, commencing with w.nat ho de scribes as “the admirably .execute';? operation,' in which, the 2nd Australian Division, commanded by Majo • General Smyth,* V.G., took ViUe-nu'-Ai:V-3 and 400 prisoners on 19th May, <* d (he highly-successful, night attack at Morlancourt on 10th June.” •

v The" troops of ,the Ist-Division on 11th July, ne says, gave a striking example of their ascendancy over the German! infantry opposite, when four Australian patrols near Morris brought m ■3040 prisoners and other patrols secured 223, prisoners in two days. The Ist Australian Division, by a boldly-con- • chived operation, captured) Mertls on v 2dth July. ; , In tne battle of Amiens on 11th Augnet, ’’ continues Sir Douglas Haig, “the front'-held by the Australian corps extended ‘southwards, and l included the Amiens-Roye road. > The Canadian corps moved- into position . by night behind %this front. Lieut.-General Sir John Monash had- his 2nd and 3rd Divisions inv line, and the sth and 4th supporting, • , ■. . /•The brilliant and predominating part taken by . the Canadian and Australian cores in this battle* is worthy of the ■ highest commendation. The skill and determination with which these troops proved irresistible at all points met •with rapid and; .complete success, German divisions were heavily defeated and three cavalry divisions supported by 400 tanks. ./“During the battle of Bapaume, commencing on 23rd August, the Australian corps': attacked south of the Somme. •Mgbiiws by Major-General Glasgow’s first division about Chuignolles was arery heavy, and great numbers of the enemy were killed. The Hew Zealand«rs\were. engaged; at GreviJlers, Finally, Bapaume was captured on 29th August. “The ,2nd Australian Division, in a brilliant operation commenced on 30th August, stormed Mount Saint Quentin of Petonne), a most important tactical feaiire commanding the crossings of the Somme. Being prevented by the floods from crossing the river opposite Mount Saint Quentin, the sth Brigade. crossed at Feullieres by means of mistily-constructed bridges, and captured the trenches at Clery, from which on 31st August, despite determined opposition, they launched an assault at dawn. The assault was completely successful. Counter-attacks were delivered by\strong hostile forces -throughout the day and night, and the fighting was exceptionally severe. . '-‘The taking ofMhis position ranks as a v very gallant achievement. Thousands of 'prisoners -were taken and great rrambere v <)f the enemy killed. As a consequence - the ustmlians captured Peronne on-jtst September. During the battles of Havrincourt and Epshy on 12th and 18th September the Ist and 4th Australian ; Divisions distinguished themselves by their valour, “As a .result of the success of their attackdurng the battle for the Hndenburg Tine on 27th Sepember and sth October,, the Australians, fighting with Americans, captured Bellecourt and other p<dnts 1 amid intricate defences, where strong bodies of enemies held out with great obstinacy until the points of resistance wers gradually overcome- The Australians also captured Joncourt, Estrees, . and Bony, and the New Zealanders took Crevecoeur apd Ranfilly- The. New Zealand! Division took Lefidain and Pines r during the second battle of Le Cateau on 6th October, and they also repulsed a counter-attack north of Chassi'gniCs early in the battle of the Sambro iromr Ist to 11th November, with great lose to the enemy. Tlje New Zealanders also capured Esterpignies and Le Quesnoy.**