WITH THE "ANZACS" IN FRANCE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2776, 20 May 1916, Page 5

WITH THE "ANZACS" IN FRANCE

' QUIET SPELL IN.THE TRENCHES (Special from tho New Zealand Official Correspondent.) May 15. "The Now Zealiinders are now in the trenches, having relieved a section of the British troops in an . interesting sector which at present is comparatively quiet. During the past fortnight the New Zealanders have had a busy and interesting time, including mnrchcs of up to fifteen miles through picturesque and intensely cultivated country, dotted with, towns and villages, to their new billots close up to the firing line. "Since the evacuation of G-allipoli there has been much beneficial reorganisation and training, specially selected officers having taken a course at tho British schools behind the lines. They have returned with enthusiastic accounts of their method of instruction, and cspecially impressed with tho new bayonet drills which squads have since been assiduously practising. Wearing the new helmets, the men have been put through practice in fighting in poisonous ga6, and have also been given experience of tear gas and flame projectors, and taught to use smoke clouds to mask their fire. Tho rest of their time is filled in with route marching, rifle shooting, and bomb throwing. For days now I have watched them over a wide area making steady progress in new phases of modern warfare. "The reorganisation has included the mingling of old Anzacs with the newer troops, so that the brigades now in the firing line have a large sprinkling of experienced men, which cannot fail to be boneficiaK Our brigades on the march, with bauds playing, and an occasional burst of song, their transport and steaming travelling kitchens, made an imposing_spectacle, and took hours in passing a given point.. Villagers and British officers who watched them were impressed with their fine physique. The First Brigade made a fine march to the. front, only one man falling out. but the others were less successful in this respect, though tho march, on being repeated a few days later, was quite satisfactory. To-dny I watched our artillery en route to the front.' Both men and horses looked well. Undoubtedly the force is splendidly cqnipped. .All the moil at the front wear steel helmets. Their billets'are comfortable and food is plentiful. The troops continue on the best of terms with the French and Flemish people. Everyone is impressed with the vast scale of the operations and the wonderful British preparedness and organisation behind the lines. The Australians. who have now been in the trenches for several -weeks, have already proved their superiority over the German snipers. They are also rapidly improving the trenches."—Malcolm Ross.