AUSTRALIANS' BRILLIANTLY OVERWHELMING ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16876, 14 June 1918, Page 5

AUSTRALIANS' BRILLIANTLY OVERWHELMING ATTACK

FIGHTING SCIENTIFICALLY AND WITH NPIBI7. IMPETUS OF ADVANCE SURPRISES THE ENEMY. Australian and X.Z. Cablo Aseociatioa. LONDON. June 12. Mr. Philip Gibbs states that- the Australians do not leave the enemy any peace. The attack the Australians made in the small hours of last night, was similar in operation and success to their recent attack at Strazeele. The latest exploit was between Morlanenurt and Sally le Sec, beyond Amiens. The prisoners were a good type of men. Already 200 have passed back, a great many of them young fellows of the 1919 class. The lack surprised them, and when the bombardment began they expected to have time to reach the machine-guns, and the moment the barrage lifted a German officer shouted: "Take up machine-gun positions." But they saw that the Australians were on them, and knew that their fate was sealed. The battalions consisted of Prussians aid Wurtemburgers. Apparently reserves were sent up from the south side of the Sommc, in readiness in the event of the Australian attack extending. The last attack included one on a saddle overlooking Morlaneourt and Sally Laureet. The Australians dashed forward and captured all this ground with their usual spirit. The Australians regard these adventures as a sort of fierce sport involving the risk of death, which only tunes them up to more intense vitality. The Australians fight with science as well as spirit, because courage alone without the severest training and discipline action would certainly lead to failure. There must be absolute harmony throughout, like that of the different instruments of an orchestra. It, was certainly an orchestra of death for the Germans. Many losses caused by hand grenades occurred in the close fighting after the Australians entered the trenches. The prisoners were glad to e..< ape, and a German officer admitted that they had no chance after the Australians started.