AMAZING EXPLOIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1917, Page 7

AMAZING EXPLOIT.

STORY OF AN AUSTRALIAN. A LONE-HAND CHARGE. * A certain Australian \yas granted the Victoria Cross not only because he performed a very gallant feat, but also because the British General Staff desired to call attention to the fact that in so doing lie had made a classic use of his rifle and bayonet (writes Eric Fisher Wood, in the Saturday Evening Post). A small enemy strong point, which lay in front of the trenches occupied by his platoon, had proved very troublesome. Artillery bombardment and other ordinary methods of attack had failed to silence it. When these had proved ineffective the Australian suggested that he be allowed to attempt a surprise attack single-handed. The strong point was hcsld by eight Germans, but their exact number was unknown to the Australian when he volunteered to attack them. Though he belonged to the bombing squad of his platoon, and was, therefore, a specialist in the use of that weapon, he, nevertheless, took with him no bombs, but relied solely on his rifle and bayonet, which is the correct procedure in offensive fighting at close quarters. He climbed out of his trench and aided and supported by the snipers, rifle grenadiers, bombers, and Lewis guns of his own platoon, was able to creep unobserved within fifty or sixty yards of the enemy position. He was then so close to his objective that his own platoon was forced to cease fire for fear he might be hit.

Left entirely to his own resources he rose to his feet and charged towards th» enemy, one of whom, being no longer .kept under cover by the opposing fire, looked out towards the British lines to see what was going on. The German was startled by the sight of a single British Boldier charging towards him and already within fifty yards. In his surprise he fired a single inflictive shot, which, however, sirred, to give the alarm to his com-, rades in the trenches behind him. Though the Australian's one desire was to come to close quarters quMdy, he, nevertheless, realised that if hp allowed the Germans to fire at him without retaliation they would be able to aim' calmly and would certainly bring him down.

At the instant of the enemy's first shot he, therefore, stopped abruptly; and, before the one German in sight could aim again, he made a quick snapshot, and hit tbe Boclie between the eyes. Spattered with his brains, the other Germans, who, at the sound of his shot, had started to join him, on the parapet, on seeing his fate hesitated just long enough to afford the Australian a moment in which to resume his rush. Taking full advantage of this pause he covered half the,remaining distance before another German ventured to raise his head above the parapet. The instant this second enemy appeared above ground the Australian tumbled him over with a bullet through the; brain, ' and resumed his headlong charge before the remaining Germans could collect their wits. He reached their parapet, fired a third deadly shot, as he leaped into their trench, and there killed the five now demoralised survivors with the cold steel. Again aided by the protecting fire of his platoon, which covered his retreat, he returned unhurt to his own line.

The platoon organisation, cemented together by discipline, gave him the opportunity for victory; but the victory itself was achieved by the will to use the bayonet.

_ The support of his platoon organisation had enabled him to advance unmolested within fifty yards of his objective; but ffom that moment he was thrown on his own resources, and his agility, courage, and skill in the use of the rifle and bayonet iiad enabled him to despatch eight enemies and to win the coveted Victoria Cross. The bayonet is still the decisive weapon in battle, just as it has been since man first fashioned an edged weapon. This will to use the bayonet shares equally with discipline the distinction of being the deciding factors ill war.