MECHANICAL FRITZ.

Western Star, 26 October 1917, Page 4

MECHANICAL FRITZ.

LONDON, August 7. Reuter’s correspondent at British headquarters writes:—“The Hun is very mechanical ’in his methods. The lure of certain places seems irresistible, and l , as far as one can see is not always governed by a purely tactical reason. “The Germans on ■ SaM&pday night heavily -counter-attacked at Hollebeke. Owing to the- dense weather our. gunners did not see the signals, and the enemy obtained a footing in the village. Runners were sent back with messages, and the artillery, with wonderful prompti-tude,-put down a barrage upon the Germans. When this hadi lasted a while the range was lengthened, cutting off tbs area to the rear of the attack, and our troops attacked and drove back the enemy upon the curtain of fire, with the result that when daylight came the ground was seen strewn with German dead.

“One might have thought that this experiment would have -been enough for the Hun, but last night his storm troops attacked Hollebeke again, after a heavy bombardment, to which our guns replied with a terrific fire. A few of the enemy may have reached our wir«j- but certainly none got further. This attempt was another costly failure. “It will be interesting to see how often the Germans throw their waves against this spot, whether, indeed, they mean to repeat the Verdun tactics at Hollebeke. Throughout yesterday afternoon a big movement of troops behind their lines was plainly visible, and artillery duly attended to these columns of route. “The weather continues fine to-day, though mistier than our airmen and gunners could wish.” . The “Petit Parisian's” correspondent, paying tribute to the wonderful moral and heroism of the British, states that between Pilkem and St. Julien a battalion passed its objective in the excitement of the assault, and was nearly surrounded. A company thereupon charged the Germans, and occupied a farm. They held it several hours against thrice then - strength until the battalion had safely retired. The surrounding Germans repeatedly called on the company to surrender. They pro-, forred death to dishonour, and all died except 10, all of whom were wounded.