VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT OF REIMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9690, 19 June 1917, Page 5

VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT OF REIMS

qfll’faBy Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association. (Received June IS, 6.55 p.m.) LONDON, June 18. Air Plijlip Gibbs writes: —“There are signs of bewilderment in the enemy after the Toss of Alossinos. The Gorman, command appears to bo undecided where to make tho next stand. Alany groups of Germans in the neighbourhood of Warncton arc in a hideous position, because they are out of touch with headquarters. They are living an awful life in shell orators under our gunfire. , . “The advance on the west side of Bullccouvt takes another section of the Hindenbufg lino of which little now is loft. , “The organisation of tho British Army amply provides for hot weather. The fierce sun is baking the troops brown. It is noteworthy that water was sent up quickly at t-he Alossines battle, also two lemons for each man. “By common consent the Alossines show was the best thing any army has done. Twenty Gorman officers were dragged out of a dug-out at Wytschaote in tho blackest despair- They declared that thoir men had gone to tho devil. The second division of East Prussians was wiped out. , . n oll i 3600 men to 2000 were taken prisoner. Most of the remainder were killed or wounded.” ENEMY ARTILLERY ACTIVE AT VARIOUS POINTS SEVEN GERMAN AEROPLANES BROUGHT DOWN. ■ By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and New Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received Juno 18, G. 5 p.m.) LONDON, June 17. .Sir Douglas Haig reports:—We made a successful raid north of Gouzeancourt. Our artillery frustrated a raid south of the \ prcs-Co'miues Canal, Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. ' • (Received Juno 18, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 18. Sir Douglas Haig reports There is hostile artillery firing southward of Croiselles. soutli-wentivard of Lons, and at a number of points between Armentieres and Ypres. There was great air activity yesterday. Me brought down seven aeroplanes and drove down three. Two of ours are missing. “A QUICK AND EFFECTIVE LITTLE JOB” TWO COAIPANIES OF BAVARIANS .'CAPTURED IN TWO MINUTES. Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association. (Received June 18, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 18. Air Percival Phillips describes one of the neatest achievements in tho capture of Infantry Hill, near Monchy, Tho British surprised two companies of Bavarians breakfasting in the trenches. Tho British quietly slipped across, and without firing a shot, brought back 175 prisoners within two minutes. It was tho quickest and most effective little job in tho recent operations. Tho Bavarians were compelled to leave their steaming coffee. PORTUGUESE TROOPS ON WEST FRONT LONDON,. June 17, 2.50 p.m. British, official report:—The Portuguese troops on tho West front have repelled several German raids during the current month. VIOLENT BOMBARDMENT OF REIMS 1200 SHELLS FELL ON CITY YESTERDAY. : By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Reuter. (Received June 18, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 17, A French communique: Following last night’s bombardment of the Hurtebiso sector, the enemy attacked and succeeded in entering a salient of our positions, but was driven back after"p. brisk fight. He was only able to maintain himself in a small (dement of our advanced line. Artillery activity continued throughout the day here and north of Corny and north of Brnye-en-Laonnois. Tho enemy has violently bombarded Reims during the last few days, Twelve hundred shells fell to-day. There were many civilian casualties. PROJECTED ENEMY ATTACK DISPERSED BY FRENCH FIRE. Australian and Now Zealand Cable Association and Router- , LONDON, Juno 17. A French communique states:—An enemy attack, which was being prepared against out positions at Largonvillo, north-west of Corny, was dispersed by pur tire. NEW ZEALANDERS AT MESSiNES SUCCESSFUL AIINOR OPERATIONS. STORY OF SERGEANT BROWN, V.C, (From Captain Malcolm Ross, Official Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces at the Front. FRANCE, June 15. Since the capture of Messincs the New Zealanders have been again in tho firing line. In further operation’s oa a minor scale our troops advanced to establish a forward post. Half of them were successful; the other half, missing their way in the darkness, returned to their own trenches. Last night, however, they tried again, and were completely successful, advancing KX>O yards in tho direction of Wameton, occupying two strong points, and capturing eighteen prisoners and some machine-guns. At one place the Germans fought determinedly, but were overwhelmed. The half originally successful also made a further slight, advance, and all the troops engaged linked up and are consolidating the line. The enemy put ou a heavy barrage, but our troops still hold their ground. Strangely, details of the heroic conduct that won the New Zealand Division’s second V.C. were not known until long after the fighting in which it was gained, and until long after Sergeant Donald Forrester Brown was killed in action in tbe second Somme offensive. Tho North Otago Company, to which ho belonged, went into that action with officers. They came out with no officers. The command of the company devolved upon Sergeant Rogers. He and Brown, after killing four of the crew, charged and captured a machine-gun that was holding up the advance. -Later in the day tho advance was again held up by another gun, and Brown, after bayoneting several Germans in tho trend], disposed of the gun’s crew. His company had to stand to all tho afternoon under an intense bombardment, during which Brown showed remarkable spirit and absolute contempt fo r danger. In the attack on October Ist on the third line he again displayed great bravery. Single-handed he attacked another machine-gun, killing all the trow and capturing the gun itself. While sniping at the retreating enemy fifty yards in advance of this post he was himself killed.