TO THE RESCUE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1359, 21 June 1918, Page 8

TO THE RESCUE.

HOW AMIENS WAS SAVED. NEW ZEALANDERS' PART IN THE FIGHTING. DEATH OF GENERAL PULTON. Amongst those who returned by n hospital ship recently is Lieutenant Kenneth E. Luke, who was severely wounded in the heavy lighting before Amiens during the last week of March, when the New Zealauders did such heroic work in resisting the German advance and undoubtedly saved Amiens from falling into their hands, but at the price of many precious lives, including those of General H. T. Fulton, C.M.G.j D.5.0.. and Major R. G. Purdy, M.G. Lieutenant Luke is the first to return of the officers who were with General Fulton at the last', and his story is of special value on that account. The narrative of the events as given to a "Post" reporter is full of stirring incident, and throws "a great deal of light on the circumstances which have not yet been recorded locally. The portion of his account dealing with the events of that critical week in March runs as follows:' —■ "After a long period of trench fighting under winter conditions in Flanders, the New Zealand Division was given a short, rest, and on March 22 last word was received that it was to proceed to another part of the front—the Somme region—where the enemy's big offensive had commenced. The division at this time was in splendid condition, and there was keen excitement at the prospect of a change from the tedium of the winter trench warfare. The troops entrained on March 24 and 25, and as each battalion detrained it went straight forward by motor lorries and long route inarches to the assembly point in front of Amiens.

A Gap of Two Miles. "That stiff fighting was ahead for the brigade was apparent when we were in--formed en route that a gap of two miles in width had occurred in the British retreat, that the enemy had become cognisant of the gap and were pushing towards it with all speed, hoping to break through. To the New Zealand Division was allotted the important task of stopping this threatened rush. "The Ist Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade, was the first unit to arrive, and, after a hurried meal, went, forward, preceded by the Brigade Headquarters. The Brigadier-General in Command decided to establish Headquarters at the village of Mailley-Mail-let, when reports were received that the enemy were close on us, being resisted only by a few tanks, which did gallant service in delaying the enemy's advance for a few hours while the brigade came up. Major Purdy, in his usual dashing style, set out on bicycle, accompanied only by a runner, to make a personal reconnaissance on the right of the gap, in order to get in touch with the British division still holding there. At this time the enemy was coining forward in righting patrols, arm. Ed with light machine-guns. The initial success of the German advance was mainly duo to their abundant supply of this weapon.

A Scratch Fighting Party. "The position was still very critical. The Germans were actually entering the village, in which we had only the Headquarters' force to defend. I was ordered to collect a scratch party, and establish a post at the head of the village, but could only find six men, including cooks and signallers, to man it. Fortunately, the arrival of the Ist Battalion in the nick of time, about midday, relieved the situation, or the Germans would certainly have made a haul. When the brigade did arrive, it did one's heart good to see the determined way in which, probably for the first time in France, our troops were able to put to practical use their.open warfare training. They moved forward in extended order by rushes, and the sight was quite inspiring. Many of the young officers afterwards stated how much at home they felt in this method of fighting, in the taking of isolated enemy machine-gun positions, and covering the ground with the minimum of casualties, their New Zealand training having served to good purpose. Line Firmly Established.

"To our groat relief, Major Purely returned about 2 p.m., having got into touch-witli the British on the right. By this time the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade and the Ist Brigade took up their assigned position—on the left, which had been held up till then only by about 20 tanks. A little later British batteries arrived, and ably supported our forces. Machine-gun parties from disabled tanks also came and reported foi service with us, and these were used for further strengthening our position. Shortly afterwards our line was reported as being firmly established in the defence system of'the old front line of the Somme battle of 1916. The Ist Brigade then relieved the Rifle Brigade, but retained our first and second battalions. Just before dusk the 2nd Bri-

gade came into position, deploying in echelon to the left, and a further advance of half a mile was made—the whole line going forward with splendid dash. We pushed back the enemy, and reached all the objectives. In order to complete our left Hank and join up with the Australians on the left, the remaining battalions of the Rifle Brigade—consisting of the third and fourth battalions ami the second battalion of the Ist Brigade—moved forward from the assembly point at Hedaville at 1 a.m. oa "Wednesday morning, the 27th, and by daylight had consolidated their position in front of Colincamps. Our line was now complete in the gap, but our left Hank had not yet joined up with the Australian division. It was decided that artillery preparation was necessary to effect this junction, owing to the strong position hold by the enemy. During the next twenty-four hours largo numbers of prisoners were constantly being brought in by our troops, who were punishing the enemy severely in his attempts to break through. The Gap Closed.

"Wednesday was spent in holding the enemy, improving our position, and getting up the necessary supplies of ammunition for a further advance of our left (lank to link up firmly with the Australians. The prompt manner in which our supplies of ammunition were brought up was most gratifying, and when it was heard at this time that our divisional artillery were supporting us there was great satisfaction amongst all ranks, as they hail not been with us for some time. The enemy had by this time brought, forward some heavy artillery, with which he was dropping shells in our vicinity and along the roads by, which our supplies had to come, rendering the transport work very exciting. One incident is particularly impressed on my memory. Two heavily loaded double ammunition limbers came along the shelled road at a break-neck gallop, the drivers doubled in their seats, lashing the eight horses to a frenzied gallop. In a little while they pulled up at our dump and unloaded with marvellous speed: and away again for more! This wa9 repeated again and again for the next 24 hours. All Thursday was spent in preparing for an advance at 4 p.m., when our troops were to go forward and bomb the enemy from the old trench system he was holding on an elevated position and also to effect the junction with the Australians on our left. There was mutual rejoicing in both the New Zealand and Australian divisions when we. found that we would again be neighbours. This attack was in every particular successful, all objectives were gained, the gap definitely closed, and Amiens was saved.

The Fatal Shelling. "Brigade headquarters had in the meanwhile been established in a detached cellar in the village of Colincamps, consisting of two compartments, each about 10 feet square, one being occupied by General Fulton and his officers and the other by the divisional signallers. After five days and nights of continuous strain and activity, we were settling down for the night, having set up the necessary telephones and wireless instruments in the cellar and got into touch with all units. We had just received word that all our objectives had been gained in the advance and that we were in Jtoueh with the Australians on the left, and Major Purdy was writing up the reports to the New Zealand Divisional Headquarters, when the fatal shell struck us. It exploded in the centre of the cellar, and for a while everything was a blank. When I came to I found myself half-buried in debris and, curiously enough, one of our candles still burning. I called to the general and Major Purdy, but received no response. Then a very faint reply came from Major-Dailey, who was also alongside me. Fortunately my arms were free, just enough to clear the debris from his head. Then I became unconscious, and remember nothing more until I awoke to hear a discussion between two very popular New Zealand doctors, Captains Tolhurst and Benham, in the Regimental Aid Post. Of the 14 in that fatal cellar, Major Purdy and nine of the signallers were killed outright. General Fulton was found to have received severe concussion and shell-shock. Major Dailey and I were put out of action, and Sapper Eeles was the only one of the signallers to survive, also severely wounded. The general and other surviving members of his staff were conveyed first to the field ambulance, and then on to the casualty clearing station at Doullens. The general did not, survive the journey, but died en route on Good Friday morning, March 29, without regaining consciousness. General Fulton and BrigadeMajor Purdy left New Zealand together with the first draft of the Rifle Brigade; they were together in Egypt, and subsequently were in the famous battles of the Somme and Messines ic France; and in addition they had take:,! part in long periods of trench warfare in Franco and Belgium. -They now lie side by side in the military cemetery at Doullens.