WAR PICTURES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12059, 14 July 1917, Page 10

WAR PICTURES.

THE BATTLE OF THE ANCRE. Taken under official authority, and "bearing a certificate of {genuineness as well as clear proof in themselves, the pictures of th:e> battle of the Ancre, shown to a crowded audience at His Majesty's today, will bring home with greater clarity than any written word can, the •terrific task of handling a modern army. One sees in the film the difficulties that beset the transport of supplies, and the gigantic scale on which all calculations must be made in order to supply with food and war material the great body of men at the front. The preparations for the battle of the Ancre give an excel lent idea of thicse tasks, especially in the taking of munitions to the guns engaged in the bombardment, where the horses carrying shells in baskets flounder knee-deep in mud, while officers and men go up to their waists in yater-filled holes. r lho work of the artillery plays an important part of the picture, but, of course, the greatest interest centres on tho Tanks —those wonderful moving forts which have led the infantry into positions tlntt were deemed impregnable. 'I'll" Tanks are shown being prepared for action, moving toward the. German, lines and finally returning in triumph. Shis view of the Tanks alone makes the film worthy of attention, but Jater one sees tlie advance of the infantry, under fire. The men are seen in the distance moving forward in the waves of the assault, and, as if proof 4>f the enemy's fire were wanted, a shell 4s seen to burst closo to th;p camera, the snlasli of the erupted dirt falling Across a corner of the picture, evidently rot far from the lens. It in not possible to do justice to the thousand and one details of this remarkable picture, which by far exceeds any war film seen liere, and makes it possible to form some idea of the conditions of the winter campaign in France. After the hattle of the Ancre film views of tho iVnzacs in India before Gallipoli and Juring the march to embark for Franco inake interesting subjects. And finally jjhere are a number of " still " pictures, showing tho hospital work and some small section of the great work of the. Y.M.C.A., in whoso aid the pictures arc being shown. "Tho Battle of the Ancre and its supporting pictures will be shown again to-night and every afternoon and evening next week.