THE ANZAC WEDGE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 120, 21 May 1917, Page 5

THE ANZAC WEDGE.

AUSTRALIANS MAINTAIN POSITION AND EXTEND „TS AREA. ANZAC HEADQUARTERS. FRANCE, May 8. To-night has been the q lietcst'sincthe commencement of the bactle. The Germans' bombing attacks yesterday were feebler, and they let the night pass without infantry action, thereby admitting themselves thoroughly discomfited in this sector. The junction ot the Australians' left with the British right through Bulleeourt was effected by a Queensland battalion with light losses. The Germans offered little resistancehere when the Australians began bombing the trenches, the Scottish, assisted by English troops, having already taken them in the flank. _esterd.iv 1 saw from a support line the wonderful spectacle of a German bombardment of the British lines. About Bulleeourt the battle had lulled, but a light barrage was falling on our supports. Our men seemed to be at last enjoying a respite from the awful ordeal of shelling, but gradually the Germans opened upon Bulleeourt from our left llanlc along the high ground above the village, and then through the ruins hack 1000 yards to Longatte. LIKE A BOILINtf CAULDRON. Shells fell in a continuous stream. The rest of the plateau and valley seemed to be suddenly detached from tho battlefield, which at "Bulleeourt was like a boiling cauldron. For 00 minutes the Germans poured in heavy shells on this line, the roar of their -crumps" drowning all other noises. The sky became illuminated with every colour. The white of shrapnel and red of -brick dust were tossed amid the black of heavy explosives, all being mixed with stabs of flame as the shells burst. A counter-attack was prepared for, but the Germans did not come. Yet our position is being steadily consolidated, and every night sees more saps and deeper trenches built by our pioneers and sappers. Therefore, there is greater security. Despite their losses the Australians are cheerful victors, strong, confident, and fit. Prisoners say that they never imagined such fighting. JUNCTION EFFECTED. It was only after bitter lighting that the Scottish troops won at dawn yesterday a section of Bulleeourt, and established a connection with the Australians, who bombed down the trenches to meet them. Having finally convinced themselves that no British troops were isolated iv Bulleeourt, and that it must be taken by heavy charges with bomb and bayonet, the British systematically., bombarded the position on Sunday. We saw' the ruins changing shape beneath the shelling. The Scottish troops ill advancing yesterday morning encountered the stillest opposition, especially from hidden machine gunner*, in concreted posts and from snipers in the ruins. Troops of an Australian division launched bombing attacks synchronously with the advance of other troops and effected a junction after 75 minutes of heavy lighting through the trenched. This makes very secure the gaping wound in the Hindenburg line which the I Australians have made and have been , heroically holding open while awaiting .' support. On the left the Germans throughout Monday night were jumpy, but did not attempt a further counter-attack.

AUSTRALIAN LOSSES. In four days of the battle the Australians, including many famous brigades, withstood 13 counter-attacks and the heaviest shelling. Our losses aro considerable, but very much less than during the Fust battle of Pozierts. Xo praise is too high for the infantry, which has shown a great lighting spirit. Among the bravest have been the carriers. Owing to the crowded nature of the saps they have repeatedly carried great loads of bombs across the open with the finest quiet gallantry. Eighty stretcher-bearers averaged 40 miles of walkin-r during the continuous work ot the first 24 hours of battle in carrying ! laden stretchers. • One of the strangest i sights of the battlefield has been the long I line of stretcher-bearers walking across I the shell-strewn plateau to a wagon 'post, which was repeatedly shelled. Lucki'lv no wagons were hit, though some "horses were killed. Our men, though blackened with dust and smoke and weary with the long lighting, were very cheerful. There was half a gale of 1 cold wind on Sunday and Sunday night, (effort to throw*.*, out * *^ uppoft burg Line, wh '= t_e rx div W on bSSitSo principal counts attacks.