THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12405, 24 August 1918, Page 7

THE NEW ZEALANDERS.

AT HEBUTERNE AND COMMECOURT.

THEIR PART IN THE

ADVANCE.

LONDON, August 22 Air Gordon Gilnioiir states: With splendid vigour the New Zealanders participated in the general British attack at daylight on August 21, eastward of Hcbutcrne and Gommeeoiirt. for the past four months the New Zealanders have been in close touch with the uneasy enemy. lam unable to learn the actual results on the battlefield, but tho New Zealand commander stated this evening that, they had gained nil their objectives. .1 lie two units engaged had very slight casualties, eight in one unit ami Ihirtv in the other, and they captured over 200 Germans before evening. The conditions were ideal for tho thrust, which was designed to accelerate tho enemy's retreat.

An officer, well forward, reported early that the advance might combine probably for some miles. Larly in the morning the ground was covered by a mist, and this was only dispersed by the sun after tho ]ircparation was completed. The New Zcaanders jumped off from the ruins of ) uisieux, which the patrols had penetrated during the past few days. The Germans oflered little resistance. They could not see the attackers until tliev were within a few yards. I walked a considerable distance during the beat of the towards Achict lo Petit, where the English troops were strongly consolidated, ntid 1 saw only one New Zealander killed by shell fire. 1 spoke to an officer from Nelson, whose men wore digging a. strong post, and ho explained tho ease, with which the advance was made. Large batches of prisoners were constantly marching back, and the total should bo manv hundreds, 'i ho New Zealanders were thrilled at the prospect: of getting ahead of the old Somme country. Today Loup, art AVood appears outlined in the foreground, and it is possible to see Ha pa ume on the horizon, where probably the Germans are already establishing their main line of defence. There is every indication of tho enemy, consequent on the Allies’ gigantic offensive spreading, taking precautions to reach a defensive line without disaster, the New Zealanders are almost within sight of Tiers. Although to-day the Aew Zealanders took a comparatively small share in th 0 main battle, their out ire units were ready for any offensive, Nl'lAV ZEALANDERS’ SUCCESS. . THE CASUALTIES LIGHT. LONDON, August 23. Air Pereival Phillips states;—Tho New Zealanders scored a rapid success on AVeduesdav when they took ■ two hundred prisoners. The' number of prisoners was much greater than their own casualties.