BRAVE NIGERIANS.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13979, 8 January 1916, Page 6

BRAVE NIGERIANS.

STEONG-MOUNTAIN POSITION

CAPTTJR3SD

London, Jan. 5

A Press Bureau statement regarding the operations in the Cameroons states: A British officer gives details of the

CABLE-NEWS,-

JTkess AssociAxraN-^CopxßiGHa.l

occupation of Banyo, in the Cameroons, by the Nigerian forces, in October. The plans worked out admirably. Two columns, under Majors Mann and Cunliffe, functioned before Banyo. The enemy /fearing their, retreat would be cut off, feebly resisted. Leaving Dodo, a perfect barrier of mountains fronted us, which we were compelled to climb by steep, narrow paths. We found an admirably-prepared enemy position. We forced a wide turning movement from Banyo. The ■enemy position on, the mountain southward was grim and stupendous. Huge boulders were conspicuous on the side of the mountain, bristling with strongly built. sangars. It seemed hard to ask British officers to lead men against such formidable positions, but all were extremely keen to try. The infantry advanced in the morning from four directions, covered' by the fire of our three guns. They worked up slowly and doggedly, climbing over rocks, and. tearing a path through the thorny scrub and long grass under heavy rifle and Maxim fire from the sangars and concealed snipers. By evening most of the companies had struggled half-way up the hill. They j were exhausted, and drenched by rain, but hung on determinedly to the ground gained, despite an incessant 1 fire, aided by fire balls and rockets. At dawn the men restarted climbing, capturing occasional redoubts and sau-'j gars. The enemy rolled down rocks and threatened to use dynamite bombs. Finally our men on the hilltop were silhouetted on the skyline, and the enemy hoi&ted the white flag. It had been a- dour, ■stubborn fight. The enemy believed their position to be invulnerable. Our men fought ?nagnificenily, and were gallantly led. Nigeria ought to be proud that she can produce such soldiers; the task would have tried the finest troops iv the world.