NEW GERMAN DEVILRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 242, 10 October 1916, Page 11

NEW GERMAN DEVILRY.

JHB LATEST TRIGHTAUmEBS." _E__?iS__-n> ______ _IQD_o. ' .z(From Our Special Conrespondent.}, 110-NDQN, August 22. Bomß Australians zwlto recently arrived Jn ?3]ighty" from the Flanders front to get patched, up, told the writer of a new (jerman device in military irigbtfulness nchich was introduced to their notice during the recent advance. Among the things left behind by the Huns when they fled from their trenches, -were a number of queer-looking arrangements gtanding on four little legs and looking •very much like tortoises. They were, however, nothing more nor less than bigh-esplosive bombs wilich burst on the slightest provocation. Our men found out the nature of these "tortoises" by the simple operation of falling over them ia the dark, and they caused quite a large number of casualties ere our boys '•not wide" to the tricks of tbe animal and took precautions.

Another lttle oddment that "Fritz" likes to leave about in shell boles in front of his trenches is a man-trap. As soon as one of our soldiers sets foot on to it closes about his leg with a terrific bife and brings him down like a log for his comrades to fall over.

Of tbe liquid fire merchant the Australians have seen very little of late, but if Russian Teports are correct, tbe Huns have a new horror in store for their adversaries. During the fight near Bzrewo it is said the Germans made use of a mysterious liquid whicb produced a sensation of burning. It was not liquid fire, with which the Russians are very familiar, but something that did not openly flame. A man who received the liquid, say, on tbe arm, was not disabled, and on the second day thought lightly of his burn, but on tbe third day, tor fourth, be died. This new devilry produced clotting of the blood and consequently death. It is'not magnificent, neither is it war, but is is essentially German. This liquid has not tbus far made its appearance on the Western front, but no doubt our men will presently be introduced to it. They will not be surprised, for they are well aware by this time that there is nothing on earth that the German will not do to add to war's horrors. Anzacs wbo fought in Gallipoli, and -have now made the acquaintance of the Huns, make '•'odious comparisons"' between "Johnny Turk" and the Boche. By comparison the Turk _3 a saint and a gentleman, who fights fair, and is a brave man. But, as one Australian put it, "The German is a dirty swine, wbo shoots at wounded and helpless men. I've seen fcim'do it- The Turk will fight like the very devil at close quarters, but the moment the Germans see us coming at them with tbe bayonet they flop down on their knees and squeal. Johnny Turk iwfil stand up to you with the bayonet and fight like a good old tough, and won't give in tul you've outed him. If _ie should prove to be a better or cleverer man than you at bayonet work p—well, you're done in—that's all."