WAR ANNIVERSARY.
SECOND BATTLE OF SQMME.
NEW ZEAL ANDERS IN ACTION.
To-day is the second anniversary of the entrance of the New Zealanders into the second Battle of the Somme. They were in the vicinity of Ypres when the Germans, on March 21, launched their great attack against tie Fifth Army, which, after fighting through a terrible five days, broke, and the German masses started to pour through the gap toward Amiens, Paris, and Calais. The New ' Zealanders were hurried south, and on March 26 fought the memorable battle at the sugar factory in front of Mailley Maillet. The Ist Auckland Battalion met the Germans on the main road, and a desperate three hours' engagement was fought, Captain H. B. Vercoe, commanding the 16th Waikatos, and Captain J. Gordon Coates, the 3rd Auckland Company. These two companies went into the fight each 200 strong and came out with a strength of under 30. They fought off some other attacks,, and the 2nd Auckland Battalion then took over.
In a few days' time the enemy began to mass on the front near La Signy farm, which was just in front of the sugar factory. The 2nd Auckland attacked, evidently surprising them, which resulted in the capture of a verv important bridge op a commanding eminence. This staggered the Germans, and as they had notified. Berlin that they had already captured Colincamps, which was a mile behind the New Zealand line, they on April 5 put down one. of the severest barrages the New Zealand Division ever encountered. Fortunately it missed our front line, in which were all •our machineguns, besides those captured from the enemy. When the barrage lifted the Germans attacked in four columns in waves. The slaughter was positively appalling, 500 dead Germane being eag£ry 'a counted in front. This staggered the enemy, and for ever settled the question of an advance on his part in this area.
The Hon. J. Gordon Coatee, Post-master-General, obtained tie bar to his Military Cross at Mailly Maillet.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17429, 26 March 1920, Page 4
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335WAR ANNIVERSARY. New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17429, 26 March 1920, Page 4
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