WITH THE AUSTRALIANS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LII, Issue 114, 18 May 1918, Page 3

WITH THE AUSTRALIANS.

STOPPING THE HERMAN RUSH. ! STORIES OV MANY FIGHTS. ! LONDON. May 3. The considerable number of wounded Australian soldiers arriving at the base hospitals testify to the severity of the recent lighting". They say that April has been a month of fighting that Australians will never forget., but it is some consolation to know that the Germans also have cause to remember it. An officer, describing the hurried movements of Australians to the points of pressure, says. —"There was never a prouder moment in my life. The fleeing {feasants, ♦recognising the .Ansti alianp as old friends, turned about and returned to their homes, greeting the I-imis with cheers. saying: 'We feel /ale now.' " 'The officer remarked that the Australian force never had a greater tribute. e

The battalions which first went into action at Villers-Bretonneux claim to have frightened the life out of the Germans, who thus were stopped for many days. They showed their annoyance b\- drenching the countryside with gas. 'The lighting was undoubtedly the most severe the Australians have yet experienced, but the officers are unanimous t bat everybody rose to the occasion. A nenior officer who has led the men wince Gailipoli. declares: "I knew what they could do. hut their conduct when they first, attacked the formidable German positions in the neighbourhood of Villeis-Breton ueux amazed me. The air was sizzling with machine-gun bid lets. The Australians advanced without a particle of cover, main' gaps occurring in the lines. but the "bovs kept on sleadilv. They have the satisfaction of knowing they unset the enemy's supreme bid for Amiens." READY FOR A UEH--.BRATION. ' The 'prisoners carried four days' rations. Thev were told that the next issue of rations would be in Amiens. They also carried cigars and nuts, expecting the entry into the city to be the occasion of an organised celebration. German transport was waiting in readi•ie « close behind the lines, expecting a non-stop drive into Amiens, which now is as far away as ever. .During the - most critical days the Australians had evidence of the bravery of the British cavalry, which demonstrated regardless of" machine-gun fire between the Australians and the enemy, actually galloping along «No Man's Land. ' This had a wonderfully heartening effect udoii the corns holding this precarious line. On another occasion a cavalrv officer [ l-oed up to a point at which the Australians were hard pressed, and (said, "Hullo. Australians, you're not going to give way !" A counter-attack thereupon was arranged, the cavalry riding in line with the Australians, "who numbered only 200. The Germans turned and fled "before this formidable-looking joint attack. \ A New South Wales battalion, of which 20 officers, are now in hospital, was' quartered at a large chateau at Villers-Bretonneux. The wealthy ownekept a private zoo. Many shells burst ucon the chateau, and the officers watched the. menagerie dwindle. The sorreist moment was when a shell killed two-emus. The Australians declare that

this warm corner gave opportunities for unprecedented heroism. HEAVY TOLL .OF THE ENEMY.

Mr Perry Robinson, correspondent of

the Times at British headquarters, writing yesterday, said :—"Since the Australians came into these battles at the end of March their behaviour ha been superb." Reviewing the operation: at Dernancourt and Moriancourt, the correspondent said that it is believed that the Australians killed no fewer than 3000 Germans. When the line north of the- Somme fell back to Sailly and Aiaricourt I'Abbe. conforming with the retirement to Hamel and Vaire Wood, the Australians held the cord between the streams, and have beaten off every attack since. The Germans, tn conjunction with the onslaught on V'illeT.'i-Bretonneux. ma(de : two determined 'ataeks on Sailly (further north). Both were shattered by the Australians' steadfastness with the nfle. Throughout the same period they held the line a'ong the railway to Albert. Their riflefire and bayonet fighting caused heavy casualties to the enemy. During the northern fighting, the Australians took over the line of Nieppe J'orest, which has been continuously noted for the fine spirit of the troopn holding it, and the enemy's failure to make headway. There was never a moment in this "fighting when the Australians were not all over the Germans. Then- patrol work at Meteren has been beyond all praise, inul has earned the heartiest admiration of the French, who are hghting alongside them. BATTLE BEFORE STRAZEELE. LONDON-. May 4. Accumulating evidence shows that the battle before Strazeele on April 14 was a (strong 'German pffort for the railway, centres of Ilnzobvoucli and 'Castel, writes the Commonwealth official eorerspnndent. The assault was met by Victorian, and New South Wales battalions, who fought a stubborn infantry battle the whole day. The enemy sought to pursue the same tactics a$ at DernanpQurt—massed infantry rushed through on a much "wfdpr front. Considerably less artillery was engaged. The ' Australians dug into splendid ground, had an excellent field of fire for

•iflemen and machine-gunner?. The enemy throughout the day was unable to map* sufficient strength to furnish his usual force of assault. His advances along the Berquin road and Bailleul nilway were plainly visible to our infantry j who " constantly caught the •n°'iiy atempting to collect his masses, and exacted a heavy toll in killed and wounded.

At the end of the day one New South Wales battalion reported 400 dead Germans on their front, and one eom)any of a Victorial battalion 500. Two "lerman field guns daringly galoped up the Strazeele road and opened fire on our lines at 800 yards till forced to retire by our Lewis-gun fire. The attaA, which' was apparently attempted by three German divisions, though pressed till nightfall, was unable to develop. At the height of the action an Ans',ra|ian subaltern mounted the parapet with a tin whistle and played ".-Vustra'a Will He There," to the great ioy if the surrounding men, who cheerjd and laughed as they fed the machine guns. Declaring that he would a*

tract the ■Germans in ureater numbers ■id ■ thus secure a better target. he •iroceeded to play the "Wi.t.rh on ihe Rhine," upon which the enaged enemy ii.'whine-giuiners iimcentv;i< •:! (lie.t re on him. These Australians are rij.li'ing i:i •ouiitry where battalions during the oant winter tuienf- several periods of rest when, coming out of the old |i' e. They are bombarding and sniping • i.-r- --- in villages, farms, and e.-taminels ••'here they enjoyed many happy hours : 'hi>--e fields win iv they are ni,\-- sl-ir-ini>hiiig are reminiscent of many football matches. \'OT THE LEAST APPALLED. LONDON. 'April 7>o. Mishop L-ong, of Balhurst. after se■m;il weeks' service at the front, says hat the most impressive feature of the \ustralian's attitude in the 'German of 'ensivo is his imperturbability, almost ■no might says, his insouicance. The> "•• "ot- in the least appalled, but readi 'v admit that the German is a clever o'd dog ,who has had some big successes : 'lit everywhere, and by all, he was as ■uired, the German has "fairly got it n the neck when lie attacked our mes." "hey are unite certain he will wear bimel f out, and then be given the 'noo;;nt blow.

Hi hop Long added that the Austra ians were fully aware of the. heavy cost •ith which ground had been bought, ind which the enemy had lately reocc.u>ied. and one would have expected a feeling of depression and bitterest chain'n as a. consequence. But neither was manifested. Do„ubtlees more was felt h.in shown, but among the men especially there was an immovable confi'ence and an unquestioning readiness to ■rot. the German under anv conditions.

"Australia," said the bishop, "ought o be proud of these amazing, stout■e:irted men. If Australian pride has •ny merit it will show itself in immedite reinforcements. Stouter fighters >r grander comrades have never yet ■ithstood the onset of foe. Half the llustrious story o-f their heroism and apacitv has net vet been told in Australia."