A GAS ATTACK.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XX, Issue 5258, 18 October 1915, Page 6

A GAS ATTACK.

CANADIAN SOLDIER'S ACCOUNT

A NIGHT OF HORROR.

Describing a German attack with poisonous gas in France, Private Arthur G, Baty a member of E Sec* tion. Canadian Division Supply Column, writes an interesting letter, which has been placed at our dis posal by Mr Baty of Christchurch:— On the night that the barbarians, uned their gas to such an extent, and the Canadians were called on to make their stand, we were somewhere a few kilometers from them. About 1.30 o’clock that aternoon we noticed a green hase drifting towards us, and wondered what it was, It soon spread around us, and caused us to choke and cough. Just about the same time we not--iced the French artillery galloping away from their position. We didn’t pay any particular attahtion to that as we thought they were altering ground, but when shells began to fall around us and a body of Ah gerian troops retired past us in disorder, shouting and throwing equipment away, we sat up and began to take notice. It was only a few moments later when we got orders—- ‘ Every man to his truck, and get out a 3 quick as you can.’ Well, "the way we moved wasn’t slow. I can assure you. The traffic was congested- Refugees from the ruined city, which was then burning, crowded along the road with handcarts and bundles, there were some wounded, dead horses and men were in ditches, and French transports were blocking the way. To paint a wordpicture of the happenings is past me. But an enemy aeroplane appeared overhead, and dropped star shells over us to give his artillery the range. Shells burst around us like hail, and 1 marvel when I think over the occurrence that there were not more killed-

We made a stop at a town well away from the range of guns, and it was discovered that our major and several others were missing- Volunteers were called for to go back for him, and, with others, l volunteered. We took a speedy touring car, loaded ourselves with ammunition, and set out, determined to sell our lives dearly, if necessary. We travelled with lights out, and got back to where the major was busy preparing to burn anything that was left, so as to prevent it falling into the enemy’s hands. He was relieved to see us, and suggested that we should not destroy the stuft, but should stay with him till the finish, and make a stand for it. We did, and we stood there through that night ol horror, on guard, waiting for the time when the first helmet should make its appeal ance. We swore that we would end fighting gamely. Only a few hedges away the fla-hes of the Canadians’ rifles could be seen, and then a cheer and more firing, and then silence for a while. We wondered what had happened, and were relieved when a wounded man crawled along, and from him we learned that the position was saved.’