ON THE WESTERN FRONT

Otago Witness, Issue 3251, 5 July 1916, Page 50

ON THE WESTERN FRONT

NEW ZEALANDERS IN FRANCE. "BIG WORK AHEAD." (Fbom Oub Own Corresponttext.) LONDON, May 10. ( The Australian and New Zealand troops have arrived in France, and have token over a portion of the rront." Such was the bald oflieial announcement issued yesterday, of an event which had been known in New Zealand circles in London ior some days, and which throw France once again into a fervour of enthusiasm. Marseilles has witnessed many striking incidents during this world-war, and thr.-c stand out prominently as events of historic importance. The first wa.i when the Indian troops landed just in time to play their part at Ypres. The second was the arrival of a large Russian force to cement the Dual Alliance, and now the men from the southern nations arrive to take a hand in what all hope is to be the forward move. Marseilles was delighted when the whisper went round that the Now Zeaianders had arrived. It was market day, and the Grand _Pla.ee was filled with 'booths and old ladies in black, and young girls with chequered aprons over their black dresses, and pigs and clucking hens, and the cheerful clatter of a busy crowd. Suddenly the people scattered, there was a rumble and rattle of wheels as a long line of transport wagons came in sight. 'I he people then saw that the heroes from Gallipoli were in ' France. In fact, there was no mistaking them, for, as Mr Philip Gibbs remarks: "Their slouch hats told one at a glance, but without them I should have known. They have a distinctive type of their own, which marks them out from all other soldiers of ours along these roads of war. They were hatchet-faced fellows who came riding through the little old market town; British unmistakeably, yet not English, nor Irish, nor Scottish, nor Canadian. They looked hard, with the hardm>ss of a boyhood and a breeding away from cities or. at least, away from the softer training of our way of life. These clean-shaven, suntanned, dust-covered boys who had come out of the hell fire of the Dardanelles arid the grrat drought of Egyptian sands looked wonderfully fresh in France. Youth, keen as steel, with a flash in the eyes, with an utter carelessness of any peril ahead, came riding down the street." ANZAOS,' JOY. It goes without saying that the Anzaes are glad to be on the western front, and they have already made the acquaintance of the Saxon. "Upon the day of their entry to the trenches the Germans opposite hoisted a board bearing the words: "Welcome Australians!" A few days later, at another place, the Germans exhibited this notice: "Australians, g-o away home. You arc good fellows. Wo are Saxons, and have no quarrel with you." Our men replied in characteristic fashion. They feel it is good to be in France, for at least they will have some decent comfort when out of the firing line. One New Zealand officer, referring to his company, remarked: "Oh, they are great lads. But now thoy want to get at the Germans and finish the job quickly. Give them a fair chance and they'll go far." Another officer was asked how his men were doing. Hi said they were doing well enough, but that they found the life slow. They wanted to bo up to something. He was assured that others shared the feeling, but that it would wear off. He shook his head doubtfully. "The boys will be getting on to that bit of hill some morning," he said simply, with a nod in the direction of the German line. Several officers and man have had a few days leave in London. They admit that the shelling is much heavier than anything they had to undergo in Galipoli, but the long spells in billets,_ far behind the trenches, relieved the strain. THE GENERAL'S MESSAGE. Gercral Birdwood declares that he is delighted at the extraordinary good impression tiie men have made upon all the troops so far met in France. "The Anzaes are in excellent condition, and are ready for anything after their patient wait in Egypt," says the General. "I am glad still to command these splendid men. Undoubtedly, there is big work ahead for them ,and whatever may be the nature of the duties the Anzaes are called upon to undertake, I havo the complctcst confidence _ in them. They will put heart and soul again into the light. They have longed to meet the Germans." It is said that the disembarkation facilities and entraining arrangements at Marseilles were splendid. The British landing officers and British military police undertook the transfer of the troops from the ships to the trains. Some amusement was caused when the first boat arrived. After having been accustomed for so long to the natives of Egypt, the men shouted out "Good day" in Arabic. The French jjeople did not understand, and merely shook their heads. Then somebody on board shouted out "Vive La France," and the cry was taken up by the thousands of soldiers, with much cheering from ashore. REVIEW IN MARSEILLES. There was a reveiw of all the British troops in Marseilles on Monday morning. The march past was led by four squadrons of Indian Lancers, followed by regiments from New Zealand and South Afiica. Notable French Ministers delayed their departure from Marseilles in order to witness the review, which was held on the Place de la Prefecture, by General Coquet, with ike officer commanding the British base. The British troops were given ceaseless ovations. The Australians have already been in the trenches, and were surprised to find how near they were to the. enemy's lines. Mr Philip Gibbs says that the men strengthened the line, and give one a'senso of greater power. "They take their places by right and _ merit, side by side with our own divisions, who havo hold these lines with noble courage and patience through many months of endless shell firo. The enemy will be sorry that the Aus« tvalasiuns havo come."