ANZACS IN ACTION.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7718, 11 May 1916, Page 3

ANZACS IN ACTION.

ON WEST FRONT. AN HONORABLE SHOWING. LONDON, May 10. The Anzacs tasted their first battle on the west front on Friday. In the evening several batteries terrifically bombarded a sixty yards’ front, which was more intense than anything experienced at Gallipoli. The Australasians were ordered to withdraw to the support trenches. Then a hundred Germans rushed the trench, thirty only reaching it, the rest being mown down by flanking machine-guns. An English-speaking olficer, disguised in Anzac uniform, attempted to deter the Australians from obeying the order to retire, calling “This way hoys, the Germans are coming.” None were deceived into believing that he Was the leader of the Australasian supports. Several Germans were bayonetted; then the true supports arrived, making short work of the enemy. Next day the Australasians had their revenge on the Germans. As the latter were bringing up supports or a relieving force they were caught by concentration fire in a communication trench on rising ground behind their front and suffered heavily. Observers'saw them carrying off their dead and wounded during several hours. The Australian casualties in France are:—Killed: 8 officers, 76 men. Wounded: 10 officers, 168 men. When entrained the Anzacs’ destination was a profound secret. Even the transport officers did not know whither the trains were going. The moment the men entered their section of the front line, trenches, the Germans opposite held up a banner inscribed “Welcome to the Australians.”