SUFFERINGS OF THE ENEMY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 3 August 1917, Page 5

SUFFERINGS OF THE ENEMY.

HIDEOUS AS ANYTHING IN HUMAN AGONY.

PRISONERS IN PITIABLE CASE

LIKE SICK AND HUNTED

ANIMALS

GERMAN ARMY FULL OF GLOOM

(Received Aug. 3, 9.5 a.m.)

LONDON, Aug. 2. Mr Philip Gibbs writes:. A" rainstorm veils the battlefield with, dense mist. The wretched German infantry are lying in the open and in the woods under frightful conditions; wet to the skin, and cut off by our barrages. The sufferings of the Germans huddled in exposed places are as hideous as anything in human agony. Slashed to bits by storms of shells, they -are urged forward to counter-attacks, knowing that death, is inevitable.

Prisoners have the look of men who have passed through, hell. Drenched through, with boots full of water, sunken eyes, and ashen grey faces, they were like sick and hunted animals. Many were groaning loudly and piteously from cramp in the stomach, due to long exposure and hunger. Others wept bitterly, saying that they hate the war. They do not hide their sufferings and those of the people at home, and say the army is filled with gloomy forebodings and is living in terror of our tremendous gunfire. About one-foxi rth of the prisoners were anaemic lads, terrorised and incapable of fight.

Some of our own men were stunned by the terrific blast of gunfire, and were amazed to find the field guns wheel to wheel. They describe rows of German dead, including a brigade staff, cla-sping their gas masks, having been caught suddenly by the blackest tenor of. modern warfare.