HEROIC AUSTRALIANS

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

HEROIC AUSTRALIANS

BREAK HINDENBURG'S LINE.

BUT UNABLE TO HOLD THE GROUND

FEAT TO LIVE IN HISTORY

(United Press Association). Received April 17, 12. iO p.m

SYDNEY,-Apra 17

Capi C. W'. ik'm< Wbling yesterday, describes the Australian attack on HiiDlienburg's line as a feat which will live iiH histoTy as long as history lasts. Un<cp machine-gun lire, through such wire'tor-tifteations as have hitherto been unknown,, they seized two lines- of trenche>,. captured the village of Reincourt, and! pushed 2000 yards beyond the Hindenburg line. Here the wonderful effort spent itself. The ranks, thinned to a handful of men, who were unable to keep down the machine-gun fire and sniping, and the Germans, heavily reinforced, drove them back. Though the Australians did not succeed in their extraordinarily gallant attack, it had a marked effect on the progress of the troops elsewhere.

AGAINST GERMANY'S BEST.

PRUSSIAN GUARDS CUT UP

THROWN ON TO THEIR OWN ENTANGLEMENTS.

1500 KILLED.

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received April 17, 1 p.m.

LONDON, April 16

An Australian counter-thrust cut up the Prussian Guard at Lagnicourt upon their own entanglements. The Australians killed no less than 1500 of them.

PRUSSIANS SCREAM FOR MERCY.

LIKE RATS IN A TRAP

A SNOWSTORM NULLIFIES THEIR

EFFORTS

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received April 17, 1.15 p.m.

LONDON, April 16

The Australian rifle fire at Lagnicourt inflicted the most appalling slaughter. The Prussians screamed and sought to escape like rats from a trap, until they dropped. The Evening Standard states that the Australians, who suffered in the check experienced at Bullecourt on Easter Monday, broke Hindenburg's line and went 2000 yards beyond. They were then caught in a snowstorm, which deprived them of aircraft observation and artillery co-operation, and they were forced to retire.