THE WAR IN EUROPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15807, 2 January 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE WAR IN EUROPE.

"I wish you and your splendid regiment to accept my wannest congratulations and thanks for the fine work you did on.Saturday. You have given a glorious lead and example to all territorial corps fighting in France." That was tha message Sir John French telegraphed to the officer commanding the London Scottish in commendation of the Scots' dashing exploit of October 31 at Messines, some seven miles south of Ypres. The London Scottish made two charges before their third assault carried Messines. They had to expose themselves fully in the open each time, crossing a wide field of beet. In their first advance they came to trenches held by dismounted British cavalry, but there was no room for them. They moved forward at once, direct for the tow;: of Messines (which was held by Bavarians), '" advancing," one who was there says, '" under a murderous fire as steadily as at an Alders hot field day." They forced their way in, but the enemy were too many, and they had to fall back. Again they attacked, and again the enemy could not be dislodged. The Scots retired to a village south of Messines and held on there in spite of the "Black Maria" shells with which the enemy assailed them. Two of the shells sufficed to crumble to dust and splinters a windmill near by. Finally, at dusk, tlie third charge was made, and Messines was stormed and taken. -All the time a peasant remained at wort in the beet field, and it was noticed that, as he moved in different directions, the German artillery regularly fired shells just 300 yards beyond. The man was eventually seized and shot for the German spy that he proved to be. ' The re-forming of the London Scottish after the second charge, was remarkably fine, for they were exposed all the time to a terrible fire. There was an interval of rest after this re-forming, while the Scots waited for stragglers to come up. Then came the final and greatest charge. So the Kaiser had his wish that British troops should meet the much-vaunted Bavarians "just" once." Illustrated London News.