NEW TACTICS

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 871, 24 November 1916, Page 7

NEW TACTICS

USED ON WEST FRONT

WONDERFUL RESULTS OF IMPROVED ATTACK METHODS

INVASION OF RUMANIA AUSTRALIANS EULOGISED AS PERFECT SOLDIERS i ENEMY TYRANNY IN BELGIUM AND SERBIA A striking description is given by a correspondent on the Western front of the new methods of attack adopted by the French infantry. The new tactics have resulted in a wonderful decrease in casualties. The Verdun victories were gained with losses less than half of the number of prisoners taken. Two submarines deliberately lay in wait for the Britannic. She carried only her crew and the hospital staff. Frederick Palmer, the famous American war corresponc ;nt, in an interview, asserted that the Australians are the best soldiers in the world. A reign of terror exists in Belgium as a result of the deportations. The Germans have placed machine guns in the streets of Brussels to overawe the population. Although information from Rumania is very vague, it is clear that the situation in Western Wallachia is very grave, the defenders retreating at considerable speed before the enemy. Following Germany's example, Austria is deporting thousands of Serbians for munitions work.

NEW TACTICS OF FRENCH INFANTRY.

WONDERFUL RESULTS ACHIEVED ON THE SOMME. HUGE DECREASE IN LOSSES IN ATTACK. By Cable. — Press Association. — Copyright. Brutcr's Telegrams. (Received November 24, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, November 23. New infantry tactics have been adopted on the Western front, whereby fewer men are employed, but they arc much more powerfully armed. The new tactics are described by Renter's correspondent at French Headquarters. He says that hand grenades, rifle genades, and machine-gun rifles are largely displacing rifles and bayonets as the main weapon. The users of the new weapons are called specialists. A demonstration of their methods showed that the hand grenadiers are trained in groups, combined like a football team. They are interspersed with voltiguers (light infantry), armed regulation fashion, whose duty it is to protect the bombers at close quarters and to clear the way at difficult moments. The new methods made greater demands on the intelligence and initiative of the men, especially where waves of assault are necessary, when speed and combination are of essential importance. A demonstration showed that an attacking line is able to bring a terrific and impassable fire to bear. An equally convincing lesson was given in the art of smothering places where enemy groups are holding out after the wings have been driven back. The value of the new tactics is evidenced by the fact that the French suffered fewer casualties in the first four months of the Somme offensive than in a few days' fighting in Champagne last year. Furthermore, the casualties in the advance south of the Somme, and the recapture of Douaumont and Thiaumont, were well under half the number of prisoners taken. New methods are also being taught to the artillery and engineers. An article on the new French tactics, from the pen of the French correspondent, Philippe Millet, will be found on the opposite pnge.

AUSTRIANS PRESS SERBS INTO SERVICE.

THOUSANDS DEPORTED FOR MUNITIONS WORK TO FREE MEN FOR ACTIVE SERVICE. Australian and N.Z. Calle Association. (Received November 24, 11.15 a.m.) ROME, November 23. Austria is deporting thousands of Serbians, including women, to work iu the munition factories, hoping thereby to liberate during the lu-xt three mouths 100,000 Austrians for active service.

HIGH PRAISE FOR AUSTRALIAN TROOPS.

AMERICAN CORRESPONDENT WAXES ENTHUSIASTIC. BEST SOLDIERS IN THE WHOLE WORLD. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 24, 9.35 a.m.) NEW YORK, November 23. Ml* Frederick Palmer, tlie famous correspondent, who has just returned from the front, expresses bis unstinted admiration for the Australian soldiers. Interviewed by a representative of the Australian Press Association, he said:—"l have • seen soldiers throughout the world, but never anything like the Australians advancing to the attack. They impressed me as the finest soldiers and men on every battlefield. "The world does not yet realise the greatness of their feat in the capture of Pozieres Ridge, which was due to the Australians' dash and tenacity. "The Australians had gained a world-name at Gallipoli. A new and greater test awaited them in France, where they were pitted against Germany's best; yet they entered the fight smilingly, and with unwavering confidence in the result. "The Australians are a distinct type—courageous and unflinching in danger, dashing, of amazing initiative and resourcefulness. "While not underestimating the magnificent heroes at the front, I say that the Australians stand out for adaptability and general intelligence. "The Australians do not show unthinking courage. They are clear-brained and capable, and Avere conscious of the seemingly unequal conflict between newly-trained troops and Germany's super-drilled legions. They not only accepted the challenge, but forced the issue to a glorious triumph. "Originally, it was difficult to restrain them when they reached their objective, but they are rapidly learning the necessity of discipline, and the futility of one section outpacing lines. This light curb of discipline is moulding them into perfect soldiers. "I was forcibly struck by the Australians' eai'ly insistence on the equality of privates and officers. This is typical of the grand, free, independent spirit of the Colonies; but now they understand that officers must be paid formal respect, they are becoming adept at saluting. "The Australians' democratic ideals are leavening the English Tommies, and I predict, as a result, a striking growth of the democratic sph'it in England after the Avar."

REIGN OF TERROR IN BELGIUM.

MACHINE GUNS IN BRUSSELS STREETS. PENALTY FOR REFUSING TO WORK. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 24, 8.45 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, November 23. Deported Belgians "who refuse to work are sentenced to two months' gaol. The streets of Brussels are lined with machine guns to overawe the people.

CASH LEVY SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED.

NOW EXCEEDS £2,000,000 PER MONTH Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received November 24, 11.5 a.m.) AMSTERDAM, November 23. Germany has increased Belgium's monthly levy from 40,000,000 to 50,000,000*franes (over £2,000,000).

GERMAN SUBMARINE BASE RAIDED.

BRITISH SEAPLANES BOMB BELGIAN PORT. DESTROYER AND AEROPLANE SHEDS HIT. High Commissioner's Cable. LONDON, November 23 (12.45 p.m.). Naval aeroplanes bombed seaplane sheds at Zeebrugge, and also bombed destroyers alongside the mole. A destroyer was hit and the sheds damaged. Our machines returned safely.