FOUGHT TO THE DEATH.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14407, 18 May 1917, Page 7

FOUGHT TO THE DEATH.

AUSTRALIANS CUT OFF.

CHARGE INTO MASS OF

GERMANS

FRANCE. Amil 30,

During the German attack at La^nicourt on April 15 there occurred an incident which will- live as long as Australian history lasts. I have now seen the officer who actually saw the whole thing happen. A small party of West Australians wa s cut off early in tho attack, but they managed to get a messenger through stating that they were bowling the enemy like ninepins, but needed ammunition. By the time tho message arrived it was' impossible to got ammunition through the surrounding- Germans. Tho posh, was visible a mile dewn the valley, still holding out, and watchers gazed on anxiously as more and more Germans debouched opposite it. All well knew that the end must shortly come. After an hour and a half of Vifle-firo from the post, it suddenly seemed to cease. A line of men sprang to their fee.t and charged downhill into a mass' of Germans. Bayonets were soon working, and then the mass swarmed round our men, who were lost to sight.- Tho bodies of four or five of them, including an officer, have since been found.