A NIGHT IN THE TRENCHES

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2435, 14 April 1915, Page 5

A NIGHT IN THE TRENCHES

ON THE BATTLE GROUND OP NEUVE CHAPELLE (Rec. April 13, 6.15 p.m.) London, April 12. A correspondent who spent the niglit in the new British trenches which are defending the shell-torn earth the British won at the Battle of Neuve Chapello says:— "There is no more cheerful spot under the British flag, and it was worth a sleepless night to mix with the soldiers who had suffered such hard knocks. The rumours from London complaining of the heavy cost of this victory were not shared in the trenches. The soldiers understand the situation, and were prepared to pay the prico for success. They point out that the ground was gained at no heavier losses than the Germans. " 'A lot of our fellows were killed,' said one, 'but this time it was in pushing the Germans instead of trying to hold them. You can't realise,' said Tommy, 'unless you have been fighting since Hons, how this buck 6 up our chaps.' "Round braziers, made by holes being punched in buckots and tins; gather the soldiers who are off duty, warming themselves, frying bacon, boiling tea, and passing it carefully along the trench, keeping their heads' below the parapet to avoid the bullets. "Dark patches arc visible in the moonlight, between the ' opposing trenches. These aro masses of prostrate bodies, in the attitudes in which they fell. The Germans did not ask for an armistice to bury their dead. When the British had previously asked it was refused. Therefore the corpses remain, a grim aotuality of war. Despite the occasional sallies of wit which are exchanged, the jesters are careful not to show their heads, lest the joke prove to bo their last. At dawn, where the trenches are only sixty yards apart, 'Good mornings' were exchanged. An English-speaking German called out: "When is Kitchener's Army coming? We want this blankety, blank, war over, 6o that we can get home.' "Tommy replied: 'Don't get downhearted, my dear! You'll know when Kitchener's men arrivo, because you'll bo travelling faster than you want!' "The Tommies are full of admiration for the skill of the Germans, but there is a universal feeling of confidence that the Germans have snot thoir bolt. An. Irishman declared: 'The Germans needa licking, and when anybody needs a licking that's the place for the fighting Irishmen.' ' "None of the soldiers, in their conversation, gloried in the war, hut all were determined to 'stick it' till a decisive victory was won The correspondent concludes: "The Battle of Neuve Chapelle lias given ns confidence in our strength, tested our organisation for the offensive, and demonstrated the power Mid precision of out artillery."—-"Tia«" aad Sydney