NEW ZEALANDERS IN FRANCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3336, 20 February 1918, Page 18

NEW ZEALANDERS IN FRANCE.

A QUIET TIME. BELGIAN AWARDS. (Special from the Official War Correspondent.) October 10. Our operations vary little from day to day. What casualties are reported come almost entirely from" shelling, but the enemy must suffer much more, for as a rule we send back four or five times the weight of metal he fires on our sector. Recently he caused several casualties in one of our working parties, but few of our cases were serious. One German division recently arrived from the Russian front, received a stirring welcome from our gunners that must have inflicted many casualties and further destroyed its somewhat poor morale. At noon the heavy guns vigorously bombarded their area, and later in the. day the field artillery joined with the heavy guns in a further intense bardment. In all, over 4000 rounds were fired, including some gas shells. Subsequently some unique shooting was done by one of our field batteries. One of the keenest of our Cattery commanders in a forward observation post spotted two Germans, and telephoned the range and position down to the guns for shrapnel fire. An excellent shot killed one, and the other toolc shelter -belling a tree trunk, from which further shrapnel failed to dislodge him. A further telephone message brought up one or two rounds of high explosives, and the second German was blown up. A third German came out and bravely endeavoured to draw his companion into shelter. In renpouse to another call from the battery commander more shrapnel arrived, and the third German disappeared from view. There is still considerable night patrol work, and working parties are busy in various places. Yesterday the general opened a hut presented, to the Y.M.C.A. bv New-Zealand Freemasons. This hut is being devoted to artillery brigades, who heartily appreciate the Masonic generosity. Everything possible, is being dono for the comfort of officers and men at the front. The food is good, hot meals being carried right up to the trendies through the shelled area. Lectures, entertainments, and church services continue behind the lines, and a library has been opened. The daily news sheet is much appreciated. A football team and divisional theatricals will shortly visit Paris. WELLINGTON, February 16. New. Zealanders are more than holding their own with the Germans in the front

line, and prisoners continue to be captured.

The Military Medal has been awarded to Corporal J. G. Hart (Rifle Brigade) and Lance-corporal 11. Faye (Engineers). The death of Major Victor Rogers is greatly regretted. He served throughout the Gallipoh" campaign, and took part with, the artillery in the battles of the Sornme, Messines, and Passchendaele, being twice wounded. He had paid a visit to headquarters, and was killed instantaneously by a high-explosive shell while walking along the road back to his battery. Great interest was taken in a football match between the Welsh and New Zealand teams chosen in the war zene. The New Zealanders were victorious by 14 points to 3, this being the third victory scored over their famous opponents since coming to the western front. The game was a brilliant exposition of Rugby —fast and spectacular. The New Zealand backs excelled in passing rushes. Each team included a number of famous players. "* DECORATIONS. The King of the Belgians has, with the approval of King George, bestowed the following decorations: Chevalier de l'Ordre de Leopold ll—■ Corporal F, J. Tempero, Otago. Croix de Guerre—Lieutenant-colonel J. Hardie Neil, Medical Corps; Captain T. A. Blake, Veterinary Corps; Sergeantmajor T. H. West, Canterbury; Sergeantmajor E. J. Conlon, Q.M.S. A. Mason, Canterbury; QMS. T. E. Pickford, Rifles; Q.M.S. A. J. Coupland, Rifles; Sergeant-farrier J. Sproat, Army Service Corps; and the following sergeants:—F. G. Tott (Wellington), L. T. Wylie (Auckland), G. V. Woods (Machine Guns), J. Vincent (Canterbury),-, E. A. Wheeler (Canterbury), R. C. Travis (Otago), P. L. Grant (Rifles), W. Watkina (Machine Guns), J. Rennie (Canterbury), T. A. Andrewsen (Wellington), A. E. Law (Wellington), A. Ward (Engineers), J. G. Jackson (Field Ambulance), F; Loftus (Field Ambulance), J. D. Beattie (Artillery), T. Woodrow (Artillery), H. Muir (Trench Mortars), J. L. M'Gregor (Auckland), Corporal 0. King (Otago), Bombardier A. K. Greces (Artillery), Lancecorporal H. J. M'Cheeney (Wellington), Private D. Moynihan (Auckland), Private W. J. Harris (Auckland), : Private 'J. M'Elligott (Wellington), Private V. Cruickshank (Canterbury), Rifleman S. N. Hooper and Rifleman G. M. Bolton (Rifles), Private J. Ross (Otago), Private H. Kanara (Pioneers), Gunner A. W. -M'Leod (Ar- ' tillery). \ Lance-sergeant A. Mac-Lean (Otago) has been awarded the Military Medal. The units are given in each case as near . as is permissible, though men do not necessarily come from the district mentioned. Vincent has already been awarded the Military Medal and the D.C.M., and Travis and Muir the D.C.M.