A THRILLING RACE

Waikato Times, Volume 89, Issue 13886, 11 October 1918, Page 7

A THRILLING RACE

AUSTRALIAN DEFEATS HUN. An Australian soldier, describing how a sergeant prevented the Germans blowing up three mined bridges over the Somme says:— "A German officer was seen to detach himself from the retreating troops and to turn back to the bridge. A party of Australians who had crossed higher up were then 1000 yards away. It seemed as if the German would succeed, because the bullets'missed him as he ran a zig-zag course. Suddenly a fleetfooted Australian sergeant darted forward amidst an appreciative roar from his comrades. As the runner closed the German pulled a revolver. The sergeant ran on, head down, as he always ran, and did not hear his comrades' warning shouts. Probably our man would have won the race. We were too excited even to have bets on it. The German opened tire at 100 yards' range. The sergeant, seeing the danger, drew his automatic revolver but ran on, twisting like a goanna. Then he stopped and a real duel commenced. The sergeant llred twice and missed, but walked ahead firing. Suddenly the German fell on his knees and steadied himself for a last shot. He must have been hit vitally, because he rolled over when he fired. "The Australian later on found that the bridge had been mined, but evidently someone funked the task of Retting off the mines, and the officer had tried to do the job himself.