THE AUSTRALIANS' WORK.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13594, 8 October 1914, Page 5

THE AUSTRALIANS' WORK.

OCCUPATION OF RABAUL AND

HERBERTSHOE

VOLLEY FROM THE JUNGLE

OFFICERS' NARROW ESCAPE

Sydney, Oct. 7

The "Daily Telegraph's" account of the taking of the second trenches at the Eabaul wireless station states that suddenly a German officer was seen approaching. Evidently he was not aware that the British had occupied the trenches until he was winged by a shot.

H% crawled back to cover, and working his way to the rear of the trenches shouted something to the native prisoners, who. fired revolvers, killing one and wounding two of our men. The natives bolted for the bush, but only seven of the 25 reached it. The remainder were riddled with bullets. The German officer was also shot dead.

The "Sydney Morning Herald" states that after the capture of the second trenches Captain Travers and Lieutenant Bond, accompanied by Lieutenant Kempfj pushed forward alone to the wireless station, and took possession of it. Later a midshipman arriving with a detachment, was fired upon from the jungle. .The detachment fired a volley into the darkness, the bullets scattering among the huts, where Captain Travers and - Lieutenant Bond were waiting. They sprang forward at imminent risk, waving a lantern and shouting the password, and averted a second volley.

When Herbertshoe was occupied much valuable property, arms, and ammunition were found in a deserted

house.

"~ A woman was found in a vsick bed. A search disclosed the fact that the mattress was stuffed "with rifles.

The expedition captured a small North-German-Lloyd steamer at Herbertshoe valued at £15,000.

The "Herald's" correspondent narrates that previous to the expedition's arrival at Herbertshoe the seat of Gov-

ernmerit had been removed to Tonia, ten miles inland. Colonel Watson, w»Mi two companies", was sent to strike a decisive! blow, arranging with the wxrships to shell a series of positions in order to clear the way. The bombardment began at daybreak, and shells were dropped right into the barraoKyards in the positions marked out. The enemy retreated, destroying mines planted along the road.

Later the enemy's troops were seen on a ridge. Two charges of shrapnel dispersed them. *

The Acting-Governor arrived nt ll.m--bertshoe next morning and capitu'acvl.

The "Herald," in a leader on Germany's colonies, says that Samoa was not used for the benefit of anybody but German officials. Australia and New Zealand know that Germany must be beaten even if the war takes three years. With Germany beate*ft Samoa and the rest of the islands will remain where they should have been originally placed,, in British hands.

The German flag taken at Ilabaul has been presented to the citizens of Sydney.