THE GERMANS' MISTAKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 105, 3 May 1917, Page 4

THE GERMANS' MISTAKE.

TT-fUER-VAMJi: AUSTRALIANS. "A COMIC OPERA BATTLE." (Official Commonwealth Correspondent.) BRITISH HEADQUARTERS, April 19. The Germans officially claim, in the recent attack on the Australian outposts, to have captured 470 prisoners and taken and destroyed 22 guns. 1, myself, saw 17 of the guns which tlie Germans claim to have destroyed, and which were entirely untouched and in action, or ready for action, by 8 o'clock on the morning of attack. But 1 have waited till the facts of the fighting were perfectly definitely ascertained bcfoTc attempting to give a full story of this day's battle. The Germans believed that the Australian line was very weakly held. They themselves had just brought down the third Guards' division to this part of tne line in order to buttress it against any attempt by us to break through, as one Australian unit had succeeded in doing for a few hours in the brilliant attack of April 11.

Hnving these extra troops on the spot, and believing our line weak, some chiefs of the great German staff was struck by a brain wave. "Why snould not we hit back suddenly, destroy fifty or sixty guns, and give the German people something to cheer up over as an offset to the Arras defeat, when they open the newspapers next morning." Many of the Herman prisoners said afterwards that they were sure this was why this attack was made.

Accordingly about dawn on April 15 the Germans threw troops from four divisions against our Australian outpo3t line. We have prisoners or dead from eighteen German battalions in our possession, and from about fio companies. Placing companies at only half strength, this means that 801H) Bayonets attacked. These included the Guard, Fusilier Regiment, and Lehr Regiment, which changes the Guard outside the Kaiser's Palace at Potsdam, and which has been christened by the Kaiser "My Cockchafers."

Along most of the line our outposts and immediate supports shattered this attack with machine-gun lire. In front of Dagnicourt, however, a couple of outposts were rushed, ami those on either side were sent back, though still holding, and herds of German guardsmen rushed through. These troops coached a group of advanced guns. They liad a number of the guns in their possession for an hour and a-half. But tney were unable to use them, as they had been dismantled by the gunners. A magnificent counterattack by and New South Wales men swept across the country and caught them with only five guns destroy od. There followed such a rout as the Australians had not seen since May 1!' in (lallipoli. As our Hanking outposts still held, though taken iv the rear, the Germans had to retreat through a bottleneck. There followed what i.s described as a comic opera battlo—guns firing direct over the sights, even batmen, signallers, and cooks blaring at the (teeing enemy. It was thus that the second Guard reserved division racea back to its own lines, with our heavy artillery playing on the gaps in tho German wire through which it had to pass. One hundred and ninety men from our outposts are missing- may be prisoners. We imvc four hundred Herman prisoners, nnd from the number.., of dead their casualties must have reached several thousand. The Auckland (Sty Mayoral in-auilia-t-ion will take place at 7 to-night in the City Council Chamber. In view of the Mayor having been re-elected uhe ceremony will be much more simple than usual, taking Hie form of the statutory declaration on the part- of the Mayor. Mr. Guiison will afct_nva.nl- pre__n't a statement to the Council dealing with the present position, submitting estimates nnd generally reviewing tlie corporation's business to dnte.

At a meeting of the Otahuhu Borough Council the clerk stated CIOO had been directed by the old Council to he invested separately on the Park account, but as the auditor had refused to puss the item he desired tile instructions of tho new Council on the mntte.r. It was resolved, on the. motion of Councillor Field, seconded by Councillor Clements, that the mutter be left to the Legal and Finance Committee.

It is reported from Rotorua that a new blowhole has formed about an eighth of a mile from the original geyser at. Wnimangu. The new vent opened on Monday night when there was an upheaval of earth and stones followed by an outburst of immense quantities of steam. The new blowhole continued active for many hours until the aperture was widened to a diameter of about three feet. Visitors are able to approach tbe spot to within a few feet, although a great volume of steam is still being belched.

Soldiers' wives, sisters, and mothers to the number of about 430 were entertained in the Town Hall concert chamber yesterday afternoon by the Women's Patriotic League. Mrs. A. Wilson presided in the absence of tbe Mayoress, and an address was given by Mrs. H. M. Smeeton. Misses Janie Oliphant, McCorniick. and Melvin contributed songs. Miss Marian Aielcin piano solos, and Misses Orbell and Dennv an exhibition of fancy dancing. At the conclusion of tin- programme, afternoon tea was served by the committee. It is intended to hold such entertainmerits fortnightly.

Motions for discharges from bankruptcy in the case of George Craig McConnell, of Riponni; William Henry Laycoek, of Mangoimi: James McGrath. of Auckland; and (curie (bitty Like, of Auckland, were granted by his Honor Mr. Justice Slim at the Supreme Court this morning. On tlie application of Mr. H. J. Durham. 1.. R. Rex, of Auckland. whs adjudicated bankrupt upon the petition of Heather. Roberton. Ltd-, merchants, Auckland. John Lawdess, farmer, recently of Toka Toka, was adjudicated bankrupt upon the petition ot" William Hnlse, storekeeper, of Toka Toka, on the application of Mr. Ross. W. B. Everett, farmer, of Poke.no, was adjudicated bankrupt upon the petition of Wright, Stevenson and Co., merchants, Wellington, on the application of Mr. R. W. McConnell.

Owing to the curtailment of the Railway staff, the Department ban found st necessary to stop all passes to territorials and ride club members travelling to ri _ i l a nse ' ~' lms Remuera Rifle t-luft.has an advertisement in reference to this m to-day's issue.

Visitors to Newmarket are berebv incited to inspect our large corner 'window display of the famous "'No Rubbing" SffiS Marri °" *nd Co.,