NEW ZEALANDERS IN FRANCE

Southland Times, Issue 17938, 18 May 1917, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS IN FRANCE

SOME HEAVY BOMBARDMENTS. AERIAL, ACTIVITY, TROOPS IN GOOD FORM. (From the New Zealand Official War Correspondent.) May 10. For some considerable time there has been little to report in our sector, but lately there has been increasing artillery activity, and at times intense bombardments. One heavy intermittent enemy bombardment lasted throughout the night, but our artillery returned the enemy’s Are with interest, making his position in the trenches and back area very uncomfortable. The divisional artillery has also carried out destructive shoots with aeroplane observation. The air activity has also increased, and we witness daily thrilling air combats. It is a splendid sight to see flights of 16 planes flying across the enemy’s lines and calmly Ignoring hundreds of enemy shells bursting about them. Occasionally planes of either side are brought down, but invariably the honours are with the British. S6me attempted raids against the New Zealanders did not succeed. One was dispersed by our artyiery, trench mortars, and machine guns, and the enemy failed to reach our lines. Another raid was planned to gain information as to whether the troops on our sector had been withdrawn from the Arras battle. In the early morning, following a heavy bombardment, 60 Germans were seen advancing across “No Man’s Land.” A few succeeded in entering the trenches. At first we feared that two prisoners had been taken, but we learned later that one had got back wounded and ttiat the other was killed. We captured one Gorman who had been recently called up after being jSlx times rejected owing to heart weakness. The morale of the enemy was not good, and only 30 had volunteered for the raid. During the Arras battle some New Zealanders repaired the roads in the wake of the advancing infantTy. They even captured prisoners, and assisted in bringing others in. They have secured two D.S.O.’s and many Military Medals. Beautiful weather prevails, and the mud has disappeared Our men, who have recently been receiving special training out of the trenches, look remarkably well. The division has never been in better - form, and the discipline is excellent.