RETURN OF AN OFFICER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16315, 23 February 1915, Page 5

RETURN OF AN OFFICER.

MAJOR CORRIGAN'S STORY. FIGHTING IN BELGIUM. • An interesting description of a modem battlefield wag given by Major A. A. Corrigan, who returned to New Zealand by the Riverina. Leaving Wellington on, July 1, he visited Montreal and England on private trasinee. In London he was attached to the Naval Brigade and was gazetted as major in the Royal Marines, which afterwards became the Royal Naval Division, and cooeieted of a force of 24,000 men, who were to be available for Kitchener's army if required. Iα the meantime they were placed at the disposal of the Admiralty. The organising of that division was carried out by Major G. S. Richardson, of the New Zealand Staff Corps, and he was afterwards mentioned in despatches for his brilliant services at Antwerp, being promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. A MISSION TO FRANCE.

"At one stage, it wae decided to withdraw the whole of the brigade from Belgium and organise it on a basis of thorough training. It had been hurried to the scene and was unprepared. Colonel Richardson occupied the position of chief staff , : . officer. Consequent upon this withdrawal, • certain matters had to be adjusted, and I had the great good fortune of being deputed as acting staff officer to go across on this mision to France and Belgium. My party consisted of a transport captain, a Belgian sergeant as interpreter, and » Belgian chauffeur. On arrival at Boulogne, - towards the end of October, we eaw wounded in great numbers, and every available place was improvised as a hospital. . . We saw many wounded Indians, whdM ' fighting blood had been aroused, and they were very restless under the forced inactivity. AT THE SEAT OF HOSTILITIES.

"We went on to Calais and Dunkirk, where my duties really began. Here we had first evidence of the bombardment from aeroplanes asd the effects of the bombs on. the cobbled streets. Our duty took Uβ to Fumes, the headquarters of the Belgian Army. I was fortunate in getting in at tho opening engagement following the repulse of tho German advance in that section, and the second advance of the enemy when they established trenches on the right bank of the Yser.

"They had already reduced Nieuport to a heap of ruins, and the German infantry had crossed the mouth of the Yeer on pontoons, and established themselves in the sand dunes on the left of Nieuport. A smart infantry engagement was proceeding. From the coast, naval tags with 9in guns shelled the German artillery positions at Westende, and at night the monitors used to come up. The moaning of the big guns never ceased. Along our front a hot artillery action quickly developed, and tho struggle was carried on with little semblance to what ie assumed to be a picture of a battlefield.

"My vantage post was the top of an old templar tower, where maps were epread on the parapet. We were able to watch tho progress of the action until they got our range with shrapnel, end we had to evacuate. Between us and Furnes, the reserve infantry had been drawn up, and tho artillery was sheltered from the observation of aeroplanes overhead, which never ceased droning. We became accustomed to that, and almost forgot their existence.

"One familiar battle-picture incident was afforded by the splendid French cavalry. Tho men were splendidly mounted, and looked well in their brilliant uniforms. They rode off to take up a position on the .Sank of a wood where the infantry action was taking place." WOEK OF AMBULANCE MEN.

Major Corn'gan spoke enthusiastically of the bravery of the ambulance and ammunition men, who always took the shortest cuts, regardless of danger, and were never without cigarettes. The rapidity of firo and accuracy of the French artillery were marvellous. Whole batteries of Germans rode in to secure a position, bat, as far em could be seen through tho glasses, only their total extinction resulted. The most interesting points from a military aspect were the method of handling the men and the departure from rules which previously had been, regarded as absolutely fixed. Questioned in regard to equipment, the major said it was a surprising fact that the British fighting man was still nnnpoa» sarily heavily laden. The equipment in use was in striking contrast to the German outfit, which was a marvel of lightness and efficiency. When the organisation of the division had been completed, Major Oorrigan wae allowed to withdraw, and attend to his own business on which he had gone to England. He was glad to be back in New Zealand, and he hoped to be, directly or indirectly, of further service.