MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13462, 17 April 1917, Page 5

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

ATTACK ON VIMY RIDGE.

ELABORATE PLANS

LONDON, April 16

Reuter's correspondent at British headquarters states on unimpeachable authority that the victory of Vimy Ridge was directly associated with a pretty little model and a wonderful scale reproduction in plasticine of the neighbourhood of the ridge. A clever artist, furnished with a mass of aerial photographs and information by local inhabitants, worked on these for months prior to the attack, and from them the staff officers most carefully instructed the Canadian and British officers and non-commissioned officers selected for the assault. Every detail of the ground was reproduced with amazing fidelity, greatly assisting the operations.

A GALLANT AIRMAN.

ONE AGAINST MANY

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) LONDON, April 16.

The Times correspondent at British headquarters relates that one of the most gallant deeds of the offensive was that of a solitary airman, who, while returning from a distant trip, was attacked by a large party of enemy machines. He fought until his ammunition was exhausted and both he and his machine were almost shot to bits. One of his eyes was literally shot out, he received a bullet in his body, and one foot was smashed. In spite of all he made his report. He apologised for making a rough landing, explaining that his smashed foot impaired his control of the machine. Then, his duty' done, he died.

The correspondent adds that no honour, whether the Victoria Cross or anything else, can adequately measure such a deed. ; ■•■

PEACE AT A DISCOUNT.

(Reuter's Telegrams.) LONDON, April 16

A peace meeting in the West End of London was wrecked, and flags carried by those participating were torn up by indignant crowds. Two of the pacificists were hurled over railings. The proceedings concluded by the holding of a meeting in aid of discharged soldiers, by which a large sum was realised.

GERMAN DEAD.

(The Times.) LONDON, April 6

The war correspondent of the Berlin newspaper Lokal Anzeiger publishes the first German admission of the treatment of dead bodies. He says:— "We passed through Evergnicourt. There was a dull smell like that of burning lime. It is the great corpse exploitation establishment of the Champagne Army group. Here bodies are treated. The fat is turned into lubricating oils, and everything else is ground down in bone mills into powder for pigs' foods and manures. Nothing must be wasted."