DASHING NIGHT ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2356, 12 January 1915, Page 6

DASHING NIGHT ATTACK

HOW A GERMAN TRENCH WAS

CAPTURED

(Rise. January 11, 9.15 p.m.)

London, January 10. "Eye-witness," reverting to the recent British success on the Right Centre, says that the attack was well ''The dashing Britishers," he writes, "crossed two hundred yards of open ground, passed the sentries in the dark, and gained the enemy's trenches. Not a shot was fired. It was all done in grim silence, with cold steel. The British then diverted a. ditchful of water into the German trench, rendering it untenable. "The enemy is now experiencing to a far greater extent than before, the devastating effect of our high explosives, which this war has .proved to be the chief agent in destroying resistance. Once the aerial observer notifies the gunners of tho position of the trenches, whole lengths of these ar© soon blown up, -and the entanglements and every form of obstacle swept, away. The Allies' artillery is gradually assuming a superiority over Germany's." "N.Z.R...-APIA DIVISION " EXTENDING THE SYSTEM. A report unique in the history of New Zealand railways has been furnished the "Railway Review" by Lieutenant H. H. Christophers, engineer in charge of what is appropriately called the Apia Division of the New Zealand Railways.. It is worth quoting in full — New Zealand Railways, Head Office, Apia Division. Colonel fliley, General Manager, N.Z. Railways.. . ■ . •■ Report for period ending September 30, 1914. Sir; —I have much pleasure in' presenting this, my first monthly report on the Apia railways. For your information, 1 will give a brief description of the railway track and rolling stock as we found it. ' The track is I.IIJin. gauge, with" rails of 16ft. 6in. length, weighing 121b. per yard." The sleepers are placed five to a length, and are of steel trough section, and weigh about 61b. each. The rails run inland 6 i mile* to tho Wireless Station, with several branches of different lengths, into coconut plantations. The sharpest curve is 12in. radius and steepest grade 1 in 12. The engine is an 8-h.p. motor engine. It is four-wheeled single cylinder, chain driven, weighs four tons, and is of German make. There were 12 Yb ballast hoppers, 12 U flat wagons, and 1 F brake wagon, all in a bad state of repair—except the hoppers, which had not been- put together. • ■ As soon as we took the line over a gang was put on with Sappers Bennett and O'Brien as expert instructors, to improve the track, which was in a very bad state, but is now in fair running order. liance-Oorporal C. C. Johnson and Sappers T. Walker. L; A. Henderson soon put the engine.in working order, and have since mado considerable improvements, thus doubling the hauling power; All rolling stocks have been put in good repair. Owing to the nature of the lino, derailments have been frequent, but no serious results have occurred. The breakdown gang is now very efficient., About a mile of new track has been laid towards Malifa Camp, but is not yet completed. Four miles of track have been ballasted, and five miles weeded. Several bad places have been relaid.' ~ • , , The railway.has been busily engaged running'ammunitionj-camp material, ballast, timber, and shingle for tents and camp roads at Vaea Camp. The following staff appointments have been made: — ' _'.-■' : Lance-Corporal Johnson, C. G. (Loco. Engineer). _ . , Sapper Sutherland, ,W. A. (Senior Engineman). ' Henderson, L. A. (Workshop Manager). Smyrk, E. W. (Driver), " Bennett/ C. F. (Inspector Permanent Way). O'Brien, E. A. (Relaying Ganger). Peryer, S. M. (Ganger). —I am, sir, your obedient servant, . (Sgd.) H.'H. CHRISTOPHERS, ■""■ (Lieut.), Engineer in Charge.