LIFE IN THE BRITISH TRENCHES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2284, 19 October 1914, Page 6

LIFE IN THE BRITISH TRENCHES

SAFETY UNDER UNCEASING SHELL-FIRE Tho following official message, dated October 16 ( has been received by tho Prime Minister from tho Now Zealand High' Commissioner in London: — "A further report from General Headquarters, on October 13, states that our men aro fairly comfortable in the trenches: and numerous quarries cut out of hillsides, as well as in picturequo villages, whoso steep streets climb the slopes of the hills. In the firing lino Uio men obtain shelter in dug-outs hollowed in the sides of trenches. Quarries and caves provide ample accommodation for whole battalions. The slopes of the Aisne Valley are very stoop; this protects us from tho enemy's shells, many of which pass harmlessly over our heads and burst in tho meadows below, along the river bank. "At all posts subject to shell fire access to the firing line froin behind is provided by communications and trenches. These aro now bo good that it is possible to cross in safety the fireswept zono to the advanced trenches from billets in villages and other places where Headquarters units are.situated. "All day and night the boom of guns, and the scream of shells overhead continuo. At midday, especially, the bombardment slackens. Then it swells into an incessant roar. At first there are short, fiorce bursts as a. dozen heavy howitzer shells fall into a ploughed field, sending up clouds of black smoke and great clouds of earth: then a period of quiescence, scon broken by smaller howitzer shell which come into the villages, tearing up tiles and stones. "Through this pandemonium tho inhabitants conduct their business as though accustomed to it.

"A striking feature of our line is that it consists or a series of treacles, not all placed alongside each otlier, but some- more- advanced than others, and many facing different directions. . At one place they run east and west on one side of tho valley; at another north and south. At different points hoth German and British trenches jut out like promontories into opponents' territory. In. spite of lavish expenditure of life, the enemy has not succeeded in driving us back. Experience has shown that a short field of fire is sufficient to beat back tho enemy's infantry assaults. The extent to Which cross-fire of all kinds is employed is remarkable. Many localities along tho Aisne have not been swept from the works directly in front of them, but have been rendered untenable by rifle fire from neighbouring fear tures or guns out of sight. It is difficult for our. trodps to find out whence they are being shot at. There is a perpetual triangular duel."