WAR PICTURES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3315, 26 September 1917, Page 46

WAR PICTURES.

" THE BATTLE OF THE ANCRE." His Majesty's Theatre held two large gatherings of the public on Saturday, one in the afternoon and one in the evening, tho attraction being a series of war pictures taken under the supervision of the British and French War Offices, and presented for the first time here by tho Y.M.O.A. Council of New Zealand, under special arrangement with the New Zealand Government. The pictures are exhibited under the title of " The Battle of tho Ancre," an historio event which marked an advance of the' Allies on the western front in September of last year. The great "push" initiated by the British dn September 15 is not likely to bo forgotten. Probably no more interesting pictures have ever been shown here. They aro not only interesting, but stimulating in their effect, and well calculated to achieve at least one of the objects of the showing, which is to kindle into brighter flame that national enthusiasm existent in any Britisher. That the pictures had that effect on Saturday evening there was pretty strong evidence, the applause having something distinctly more than tho ordinary demonstration of approval about it. Tho first half hour is devoted to Trentham Camp, the training of men — horse, foot, and artillery—of the embarkation for the front. This section is very complete and conveys an excellent idea of tho doings at Trentham, and closes with two or -throe admirable pictures of the transport, with the men, horses, and guns on board, steaming out of harbour under the protection of armed cruisers. The voyage is, of course, skipped, and the men are not again seen until they have reached France. It was in the battle of the Ancre that the " tank" was first used with such terrible effect, ajid one of these huge engines of war is not long in making its appearance. In form they very much resemble an elongated diamond, with the sharp ends pointing front and rear, and there is something about their movements highly suggestive of the slow but steady crawl of the caterpillar. Thero was one picture showing a tank passing over a natural subsidence in tha ground that might almost be termdJ a gully, and it was an interesting sigV, to seo the forepirt stretched far out to meet the opposite side of the subsidence, and as the "tank" progressed gradually, tip until the runners that give the "tajik" motion touched the opposite side, and the huge vehicle passed over as if no obstacle had been encountered. The "tanks" at work are alone worth seeing. But there is an immense amount of other extremely interesting matter shown. Troops are seen moving in all directions; sometimes in tho trenches, sometimes in the ope*i, at one time leisurely, at another at the double, when crossing tho open that lies between them and the enemies' trenches. Tho men are also seen following more peaceful occupations, among these being the disposal of a well earned and much needed meal. It is certainly a thrilling eight to see them scramble out of the tranches and make a dash across the open in the direction of the onemy. Shells are bursting in all directions, but that does not seem to concern the men very much. _ Those engaged on the howitzer batteries and an other ordnance, work with great rapidity, and the guns aro never idle for a moment.

To see aU this brings a realisation of the vast quantities of ammunition required, the bombardment being terrific. These are the salient features, but there are manyothers, such as bringing up and attending to_ the wounded, water and provision carrying to the front line, the condition of Bapaume after its capturo, observation posts, the connecting of ranges, and the extent of the telephone service.