BRITISH HEROES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11757, 22 July 1916, Page 1

BRITISH HEROES.

THE LONDON TERRITORIALS FIGHT IN FEARFUL DEATH-TRAP Australian and N.Z. Cabl* Association. (Received July 22, 8.50 a.m.) •LONDON, July 21. Mr Philip Gibbs says -that in tHe offensive the Territorials proved great soldiers both in attack and resistance. The Queen's, "Westminsters, Queen Victoria's Rifles, London Rifle Brigado, Bangers and London Scottish, advancing at Gommecourt, reached the German lines and captured a network of trenches at amazing speed. The enemy put a barrage of high explosives through which no living thing could pass, and the Londoners were caught in a death-trap with escape cut off in the barrage, which smashed our communication trenches, preventing supports reaching the men in the captured salient. Their comrades desperately attempted to send ammunition. One party of sixty with hand grenades set out, and only three returned. The enemy organised a series of counter-attacks. Some enemy parties approached the Londoners from a, northern position, whence the enemy enfiladed the London Scottish on the right, holding the redoubt and building barricades. Tho ammunition grew scarce and bombs were almost exhausted. The Londoners gathered German bombs, but the position became uglier, yet the men never lost heart. An officer rallied six good men and ordered the others to retreat with the wounded and take a chance across " No Man's Land" while.he put up a last fight. He stuck to the barricade until all but two were killed and ho was the last to leave. Gradually the Londoners withdrew under great shell fire. Many wounded men remained on the field, suffering great anguish for da;v3. One officer, who had been wounded in a leg, crawled about the field for twelve days before ho was rescued.