IN AN ADVANCED POST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17375, 24 July 1918, Page 5

IN AN ADVANCED POST

Corporal Reg. White, of the staff of the National Bank, Dunedin, writing to his sister (Mrs Black, of Invereargill), says: '" I was in charge for five days (along with 10 men) of an advanced post not more than cOyds from one of ' Fritz's' posts, and wo could see the occupants quite plainly n-t times. Tho first night went off all right, but not so the next. I had just changed the sentries, when somo 15 Prussians attacked our post; but wo were ready for them, and none managed to get in our trench. I think they must have thrown about 50 bombs at us, and wo let them lia-vo a like number. We were busy lighting away, when 1 happened to see one of them running to get behind us, so I ran back after him, and just as ho was going to tju'ow a bomb ho got a bullet through tho bocly, and scrambled into a shell hole. I didn't know whether he was dead or not, so I threw two bombs at him; then there was no doubt about his being -well blown up. By this jtimo my other men had driven baok the raiders. * When it was light enough we looked over, and tho front of our post was like a slaughter-house. Wo must have scored heavily. Our casualties were one killed and one wounded. I got •i slight wound iu the leg, but it was not bad enough to be sent out for. For tho three nights 'Fritz' bombed us every night, so wo had to ' stand to' all night long. For the five days I was there I had only three hours' sloop. On tho fifth night we were sent out for a rest, which we were not able to appreciate on account of the incessant bombardment." SOLDIERS SENTENCED. The following sentences of district courtsmartial, held at Trentham camp, have been confirmed: — Desertion when under orders for active service and loss of equipment: Private W. li. Hulston, Details (late 58th Reinforcements), 120 days' detention and stoppages of pav (14s). Private N. J. Sullivan, Details (late 38th Reinforcements), 112 days' detention and stoppages of pay (£l 2s lid). Desertion when under orders for active service:

Private H. H. J. Mills, Details (late 39th Reinforcements). Private 11. S. Newdick, Details (late 38th Reinforcements). Private E. G. Martin, Detaila (late 38th Reinforcements). Private W Clarke, Details (late 39th Reinforcements). Private H. K. Norton, Details (late 59th Reinforcements). Private A. Sutherland, Details (late 38th Reinforcements)—all 90 days' detention-. The above sentences are mitigated to tho effect that if the accused embarks for active service outside of New Zealand, 'then upon arrival at the final port of disembarkation tho unexpired portion (if any) of his sentence shall be remitted, and his New Zealand records shall be endorsed accordingly. For disobeying a lawful command of his superior officer in such a way as to show wilful defiance of authority, the following soldier has been sentenced by district courtmartial at Trentham to two years' hard labour:—Private S. E. Woods, Details. PATRIOTIC HARE DRIVES. Three hare drives have been held at Kyoburn this season. The hares are not "so plentiful as they were last season, but fair bags have been secured. The first drive yielded 112 hares, the second 89, and the third 74—or a total of 275, which have been sent to tho freezing works for patriotic purposes. The next drive will be held on Saturday.