DETAILS OF THE AUSTRALIANS' WORK.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13598, 7 October 1914, Page 5

DETAILS OF THE AUSTRALIANS' WORK.

T&EAOHERY OF NATIVE TROOPS

(Received Oct. 6, 10 p.m.)

Sydney, Oct. 6

Tho newspapers publish lengthy accounts of the capture of Rabaul and Herbertshoe», in German New Britain, elaborating the main incidents already cabled.

. The , operations included some hard fighting through the tropical jungle, \ particularly in the capture of the wireless station eight miles inland from Kababaul, which was guarded by lines of trenches and other impediments

NELSON DISTRESS BELIEF FUND

This was first undertaken by a small naval party. Subsequently strong reinforcements' were sent, and after a stubbern resistance Lieutenant Kempf in charge of the first lino of trenches, surrendered with three Germans and twenty natives, who accompanied tho British to the second line.of trenches, which Lieutenant Kempf ordered to surrender. - -

This was done under tfos white flag. The arms were being collected, when the Germans mado a bolt for the busii. and the British under the white flag were fired upon by natives posted in the rear.

Lieutenant Kempf ordered them to ©ease firing, but they continued, and three British were wounded, one fatal-

A German named Ritter and the native prisoners dashed! into the bush. The British fired, killing ten natives and Ritter. The rest escaped.

The force advanced to the wireless station and found seven whites and ?5 natives, who surrendered 'without opposition. The party then returned to the ships.

Most of the casualties to the attackers were caused by natives sniping at them from trees. - '■ '

The accounts from New Guinea carry the operations to September I3th, when Herbertshoe surrendered. The capital, Rabaul, was occupied on the llth, &nd was found1 to be largely deserted.

The Union Jack was hoisted, and a proclamation read notifying that German government had ceased to exist, and exhorting the people t» continue their peaceful occupations.

The troops marched through the town. At an impressive ceremony the 300 native police were taken over and sworn in. The health of the forces is excellent.

It is stated that the seat of Government has been removed to Toma.