VERITABLE BUTCHERY.

Waikato Times, Volume 88, Issue 13488, 19 May 1917, Page 5

VERITABLE BUTCHERY.

SLAUGHTER OP GERMANS AT BULLECOURT. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received May 19, 12.35 p.m. PARIS, May 18. In the attempt to retake Roeux on Tuesday, the German batteries showered shells at the rate of 60 a minute for 16 hours. A British officer, describing the attack, says: "What a butchery it was at the Chemical Works. Although the bombardment was lengthy, the actual fighting was short and fierce. The Germans poured shells on our lines as if they had concentrated every gun they possessed on this small sector. The number of gas shells was greater than ever, and our men lived in their gas masks for 12 hours. "A whole German division, mostly Bavarians, came against us, marching shoulder to shoulder. Our machineguns mowed down the first rank and our rifles accounted for the second and third, but the remainder swept over like an avalanche, leaving many of us safe and unvvounded in their rear. We counter-attacked by a characteristic, irresistible series of charges. Our field-guns swept the German columns in the open ground, while our men in the enemy's rear attacked, and the Germans were surrounded with a circle of fire until it became veritable butchery."