WITH THE AUSTRALIANS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16849, 14 May 1918, Page 5

WITH THE AUSTRALIANS

STOPPING THE GERMAN RUSH

STORIES OF MANY FIGHTS.

LONDON, May 3. Tub considerable number of wounded Australian soldiers arriving at the base hospitals testify to the severity of the recent fighting. 1 hey 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 pouits of pressure, says — There was never a prouder moment in my life. The fleeing peasants, recognising the Australians as old friends, turned about and returned to their homes, greeting the troops with cheers, saying: ' We feel safe now.' " The officer remarked that the Australian force never had a greater tribute. The battalions which first went into action at Villers-Rretonneux claim to have frightened the life out of the Germans, who thus were stopped for many days. They showed their annoyance bv "drenching the countryside with" gas. This fighting was undoubtedly the most severe the Australians have yet experienced, but the officers are unanimous that everybody rose to the occasion. A senior officer who hag led the men since Gallipoli, declares : " I knew what they could do. but their conduct when they first attacked the formidable German positions in the neighbourhood of Villcrs-Rretonneux amazed me. The air was sizzling with machine-gun bullets. The Australians advanced without a particle of cover, many gaps occurring in the lines, but the boys kept on steadily. They have the satisfaction of knowing they upset the enemy's supreme b:d for Amiens." Ready for a Celebration. The prisoners carried four davs" rations. They 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 trans port was waiting in readiness 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 upon the corps holding this precarious line. On another occasion a cavalry officer rode 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 VilleraBretonneux. The wealthy owner kept a private zoo. Many shells" burst upon the chateau, and the officers watched the menagerie dwindle. The sorriest 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 has been superb." Reviewing the operations at Dernancourt and Morlaneourt, 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 Railly and Maricourt 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 I Germans, in conjunction with the oni slaught on Villers-Bretonneux, made two J determined attacks on Sailly (further ; north). Both were shattered by the Ausj tralians' steadiness with the rifle. J Throughout the same period they held the i line along the railway to Albert. Their ! rifle-fire and bayonet fighting caused ' heavy casualties to the enemy. During the northern fighting, the Australians took over the line east of Nieppe Forest, which has been continuously noted for the fine spirit of the troops 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. Their patrol work at Meteren has been beyond all praise, and has earned the heartiest admiration of the French, who are fighting alongside them." Battle Before Strazeele. ! LONDON. May 4. Accumulating evidence shows that the I battle before Strazeele on April 14 was a j strong German effort for the railway centres of Hazebrouck and Castel, writes I the Commonwealth official correspondent. The assault was met by Victorian and New South Wales battalions, who fought a stubborn infantry battle the whole 3 day. The enemy sought to pursue the same tactics as at Dernancourtmassed infantry rrohed through on a much wider front. ! Considerably less artillery was engaged. J The Australians dug into splendid ground, had an excellent field of fire for riflemen and machine-gunners. The enemy throughout the day was unable to mass sufficient strength to furnish his usual force of assault. His advances along the Berquin road and Bailleul railway were plainly visible to our infantry, who constantly caught the enemy attempting 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 company of a Victorian battalion 500. Two German field guns daringly galloped up the Straaeele road and opened fire on our lines at 800 yds till forced to retire by our Lewis-gun fire. The attack, which was arj>arciitl:y attempted by three German divisions, though pressed till nightfall, was unable to develop. At the height of the action an Australian subaltern mounted the parapet with a tin whistle and played " Australia Will Be There," to the great joy of the surrounding men, who cheered and laughed as they fed the machine-guns. Declaring that he would attract the Germans in greater numbers, and thus secure a better tarpet. he proceeded to plav the '" Watch o.i the Rhine," upon which the enraged enemy machine-gunners concentrated their tire on him. These Australians are fighting in country where battalions during the past winter spent several periods of rest when coming out of the old line. They are bombarding and sniping Germans in villages, farm®, and estaminets where they enjoyed many happy hours : these fields where they are now skirmishing are reminiscent of imny football matches. Not the Least Appalled. LONDON, April 30. Bishop Long, of Bathurst, after several weeks' service at the front, says that the most impressive feature of the Australian's attitude in the German offensive is his imperturbability, almost, one might say, his insouciance. They are not in the least nppalled. but readily admit that the German is a clever old dog, who has had some big successes; but everywhere, and by all, he was assured, the German has " fairly got it in the neck when he attacked our lines." They are quite certain he will wear himself out, and then be given the knock-out blow.

Bishop Long added that the Australians were fully aware of the heavy cost with which ground had been bought, and which ihe enemy had lately rooccupied, and one would have expected a feeling of depression and bitterest chagrin as a consequence. But neither was manifested. Doubtless more was felt than shown, but among the men especially there was hii immovable confidence and an unquestioning readiness to j meet the German under any conditions. j "Australia." said the bishop, "ought to bo proud of these amazing, stout-hearted ; men. If Australian pride has any merit it J will show itself in immediate reinforcements. Stouter fighters or grander comrades have never yet withstood the onset foe. Half the illustrious story of their heroism and capacity has not yet been told in Australia."