HIGHLANDERS' STAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16833, 25 April 1918, Page 8

HIGHLANDERS' STAND.

HEAVY TOLL OF ENEMY. I A MURDEROUS FIRE. LONDON, April 13. Mr. Hamilton Fyfe says that after 24 hours' fighting on Moisines Ridge, the enemy gained a footing in the village. A machine gunner says:—" The Gormans were so thick wo could shoot them down with our eyes shut. We fired straight into them, and they went down in heaps, but tlioy were so thick we could not stop them." The Highlanders fought splendidly. 1 saw numerous wounded in bonnets and kilts, waiting for attention. 1 said " You Highlanders are everywhere, you jot into all battles." With a broad grin and smoke-blackened features, one replied, " We're never far awa'." The Highlanders said that the German efforts to cross the Lys were prodigious. They got it hot and strong. "Wo were told to hold our fire, and when the crowds were crossing to let fly. It was murderous." A little Yorkshireman remarked, "'We had just as good alongside the hodge. The rows of grey uniforms were not expecting us. We pumped Lewis-gun bullets into them till our arms ached." Illustrating the coolness of tho Highlanders, an officer said that a number found food in the trenches where the troops had just re treated. They prepared bacon and eggs and ate with fine appetite amidst the terrific battle din, one remarking with hia mouth full: " Never miss a chance is our motto." In the hunting about White Chateau tho Royal Scots were splendid. Roth Highlanders and Lowlanders fought with stubbornness and valour. A story is told of two machine-gunners who were compelled to fall back, leaving their guns in the possession of tho enemy. They brooded over the loss until nightfall. Then they went out, crept 800 yards into the German positions, returned with their own guns, and an extra German one. The German claims in regard to prisoners are untruo, and are apparently based on tho size and character of the front of attacks and the probable number of the defenders. They claimed 3000 prisoners at Armentieres, though tho fact is that the town was evacuated without pressure and quite deliberately. If there were any prisoners thev must have been odd stragglers and outlying posts. The claim that they captured a British general is probably correct, for a brigadier gallantly rallied a handful of men and counter-attacked, advancing on masses of Germans. Tie enemy continued his ruthlens shelling, and threw gas shells into tho innocent village, poisoning 50 civilians, mostly women and children.