THE FIGHT AT HOOGE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2547, 23 August 1915, Page 6

THE FIGHT AT HOOGE

IN THE ARTILLERY DEATH ZONE WONDERFUL WORK BY OUR

GUNNERS ; - v ' By Telegraph'—Press Association—Copyright ■ , (Rec. August 22, 2 p.m.) ; London, August 21. Renter's correspondent at British Headquarters stresses tho wonderful cooperation of tho British infantry and artillery at Hooge. .-"Whenever a battalion was hard pressed a. telephoned leanest. to a battery brought- immediate . relief.- The infantry implicitly trusted ■tho gunners, knowing that a minuto's error would mean death as they dashed forward in their short rushes. Their trust was "justified. The shell-fire was timed -with wonderful accuracy in advance of cacli. rush, "As was natural, under the enemy's bombardment, messages sometimes miscarried,vowing io .tho wire being cut or tho orderlies being , shot down. Sigaialling was impossible, owing to the dust. In one instance a company did not receivo orders to, evacuate, its section of trench, . which was. heavily is'holled, and hung on during Monday and that night, waterless,' and completely cut off, sheltering at tho bottom of liio trench during, an/intense ; all-iiight 'bombardment';''.The''lieutenant-insisted on commanding men, : though 'severely wounded in; tho Shoulder and' leg, while his jaw. also ;was .broken. "In another instance a colonel was surprised to receive messages from a lance-corporal station that - he and 25 men were; holding stables which were being heavily shelled, and were tumbling about their ears; They did not ask for-reinforcements,- but each time sent messages: . 'Send more, bombs.' They remained iti that inforno all night Jo2g. and safely retired. ' -j; ."After the attack on Hooge had succeeded the' work of consolidation began under a raking fireVof shrapnel and high', oxplosives, while it seemed impossible that men could, live. Tho shelling lasted'all day long, but "the men held' on with splendid tenacity, and the regiDnent retired 'tb tlie;n)ar to rest, cheer-' fu I ■ despito" its.experiences. The fight lit close quarters had a. wonderfully invigorating effcct on the nieiii who aro teen''for'more."