THE MACROOM BATTLE

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14601, 28 February 1921, Page 5

THE MACROOM BATTLE

A REGULAR DEATH TRAP FIGHT EXTENDS OVER FIVE MILES. SINN FEINERS OUT-MANOEUVRED. (Australia and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received February 27, 0.5 p.m. LONDON, February 25. The ambush at Macroom, which is one of Hi" worst centres of the revolutionary movement, is described as the biggest buttle which hus yet occurred in Ireland. It commenced early In the morning, continued .until two o'clock in Lhe afternoon, and covered five miles of country. The auxiliaries, caught in a wild, craggy country, at first advanced, followed by cars, until three explosions In rapid succession were the signal that the auxiliaries wore In a regular death trap, the road having been mined, and the first two cars were already disabled.

The killed included some Sinn Fetn hostages, who were in the first car. Intense rifle and revolver fire from behind boulders followed. The auxiliaries attacked, but failed to dislodge the rebels. One ear, however, escaped, reached Macroom, and called up reinforcements. Tn the meantime the auxiliaries were retreating, the rebels continuing a hot running fire as they drove the police buck towards Macroom. The auxiliaries here out-manoeuvred the Sinn Feiners, and prevented the latter surrounding them, though the rebels were continually getting nearer and nearer. Macroom Is now In a state of great alarm —business is suspended, and the Inhabitants have been ordered Indoors. A wireless call to Cork resulted in largo reinforcements of troops with HotchWss rifles and aeroplanes being sent forward. The Republicans, how. ever, Immediately relinquished the at"tack, and fled to the hills.

REBELS ATTACKED. TWO HOURS' RUNNING FIGHT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. ) Received February 27, 5.5 p.m. LONDON, February 26. The official Dublin communique states th.it, following upon tiie ambush of auxiliaries at Macroom, the Royal Fusiliers carried out a running fight, lasting two hours, against the rebels, but were forced to relinquish the pursuit owing to the fact that the rebels occupied high ground behind the military. Two civilians were taken prisoners, and one captured. The military suffered no casualties. Constable Keane, who was wounded at Macroom, is dead.