HEROISM OF AUSTRALIANS IN LAST PUSH.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 244, 12 October 1917, Page 3

HEROISM OF AUSTRALIANS IN LAST PUSH.

GO FORWARD WITHOUT FLANK SUPPORT. HEAVY LOSSES CAUSE WITHDRAWAL. (Received 2.40 p.m.) LONDON, October 11. Mr. Keith Murdoch. Sydney "Sun* correspondent, writing from the Anzac headquarters, describes the terrible conditions under which the last battle was fought. The Australians had to advance over broken ground, always knee-deep in mud and water, and sometimes up to the waist, armpits, or even further. The British battalions on their left had an awful time, water-logged shellholes causing the jump-off to be nearly half an li, ~r late. Thus the .ustralian sector went forward isolated, with no support on their flanks, and drew the full torcc of the enemy's lire. Our attacking troops were vcrv weak owing to the non-arrival ot reinforcements. Tired, but with unquenchable spirit, they started off behind a barrage for their distant objectives. The ranks thinned as they fought their way forward, rushing and storming strong posts until the final objective was heroically won. They started to organise positions and bnild stronger defensive points, though in many places isolated by Oerman snipers, .heir numbers became still thinner, and lastly it was only a matter of a Handful here and there standing their ground against the full force of the enemy gunhre. Strong infantry attacks followed, the position became impossible, and little pockets of Australians were withdrawn. Very few were taken prisoner. They came back in twos and threes to an organised position a few hundred yard, beyond the furthermost objective, where, despite fierce counterattacks, they remain.— (I'nited Service.) .Mr. Murdoch records many instances of individual heroism. In numerous cases men single-handed took scores of prisoners. A sergeant rushed in between two machine-guns and shot the crews of both. A corporal worked his way round a redoubt and attacked an officer with the bavonct. The officer fled Fifty inmates of one dugout surrendered when an officer armed only with . cane entered In the final stages of the struggle men bringing up ammunition lett their mules and participated in the lighting. Mr. Murdoch adds that few battles have seen so much revolver fighting Most ot the Germans carried revolvers, which they preferred to the bavonot Good authorities confirm the estimate that two Germans were left lying dead on the capturtd ground for every one taken prisoner.—(United Service)