The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-01
HAIG PRAISES
AUSTRALIANS
FOR BRAVERY
Broke Two Assaults on Sail.
ly and Captured Villers-
BretOnneux.
HOLD FLANDERS LINE
Enemy Is Unable to Gain
Against Them East of
Nieppc Forest
HOLD FLANDERS LINE
~ PERRY ROBINSON.

Copyright. Nis all rieAis vsss,red
Special Cd6'e Dcspdich to TEE Sus from the
London Times
BRITISH ARMY HEADQUARTERS IN
FRANCE. April 3o.-The Comfhande in
Chief in his despatch OF Apri! 90. In
addition to a number OF divisions from
the British lsles. made special mention
Of the Third and Fourth Australian di.
visions for gallant behavior at Meri-
court, Liable and Darnancourt, also OF
the Fifth Australian Division for its
services south OF tho Somme. To this
Field Marahal lIaig has added a cordial
message OF thanks to Gen. Birdwood and
the whole Australian corps for gal
liant conduct and magnificent achieve
ment." Especial mention In made OF
the splendid service OF the First Aus
traiisn Division.
The whole behavior Of the Australian n
troops In these battles since they firs,
came to the main line to help hold the
German advance has been superb. |. is
not always perrniss!bl" in my messs ees
TO give at the time the particular
troops engaged, but IN tho light of the
Commander IN Chiers dispatches refer
eEce now may be made to several ex.
ploits Of the Australians without
, specifying the individual divisions
Shattered German Attack.
II was the Australians who shattered
the German attack on the high grount
OF Dernancourt on April and below
/ here, to south Of Merlancourt. IL ID be
lieved that not fewer than 5000 Ger
| mans we're killed
: When the line north OF tho So'nrre fei
back al Sally. Mericour, and Liable tt
| conform TO the retirement at HamsI ant
Vaire wood. south Of the river. the Aus
| traNars held the wood between th
streams and have beaten on every at
tack since. On April -. especially il
connection with his attack OH villers
Bretonneux. the enemy made two deter
mined attempts against Sally. both o
which were repulsed completely by TN
| steAdfastress OF the Australians wit,
their rifles. Meanwhile. throughout tn
period indicated. the Australians hav
been holding the line along the railwa
| around Albert.
Several times I have referred 70 IN
! futility OF the German attacks IN thi
region ard the heavy casualties inhicte
by rife fire. bombing and hard TO han
fighting. To the share OF tho Australian
In the recApture OF Villers- -Bretonneu
on April "a ara IS fun Justice VAS don
AZ the time, II was an admirabl
planned coup Nld was executed mos
vigorously. resulting IN the recspture c
the ground. the capture Of a great mum
ber OF prisoners and the killing OF man
OF the enemy.
"AIl over" the Enemy.
In the north. where tho commando
in chief mentions the Australians HAY
ing been engaged. the First Divisio
took over a line TO the east OF the fore:
o. Nieppe, extending to Merr's. hav
been told OF the splendid spirit OF OF
4 troops in that section and OF the useles!
ress OF German attempts 20 make heat
way. There never va, n moment IN m
aghtirg when TO use a slang phras
the Australians were no; "aN over" II
, enemy
, More recently have been told OF n
fne work the Australians did at Me
teren. where their patrol work has bee
beyond praise, They pushed the &c
mans back Into the edges OF the tow
earning the heart'est admiration OF "
French troops fighting In their pro-
unity. Altogether theirs has been
splendid record ard no part OF the Anz;
| contingent deserves more praise than I,
New Zealanders Not only did the la
ter do superb work in defence. but
counter attacking they several tim
flung hack the enemy. 'nhctsng vel
: heavy casualties.