BATTLE OF THE ANCRE

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3114, 19 June 1917, Page 7

BATTLE OF THE ANCRE

OFFICIAL WAR PICTURES

THE "TANKS" IN ACTION

The official ivar pictures t;iken by (l'.rcetion-of tho War Office at the Baltic of the Ancrc, were shown for tho first lime in Sew Zealand at", the Town Hall last night. These pictures aro "tho real thing , ." They were taken on tho Ancro in. September of Jast year, during the second phase oC the great push of lillli. TJiey record, among other things, tho first apponranco on activo service of the "tanks" and somo of tho operations connected with the rapturo of fortified village.* bearing names that aro now historic. They cannot bo said to give a complete view of modern war, sinc'o it is obvious that in accordance with the polity pursued throughout tho pampaign in Franco the War Offico has iofnswl to

allow tlie iK»plo at homo to sco tbo worst horrors of tho battlefield. j Things gruc«imo and heartrending aro Suggested, but they aj-o not depicted. Tho official film, howovor, <locs actually record many phases of tho operations, and Uβ lack of sensationalism is simply a guarantee of its genuineness. Tho .British Army is feen at work. Tho early scenes show troops, including thn Australians, moving lorward lq (heir positions in tho first lino in readiness for tlio advance. Bβhiiul them tho British Runs aro thundering, unceasingly, and further back still vast depots of stores and Dimrilious are of ordered activity. Tho camera men., who obviously risked life and limb in order lo got their pictures, have provided glimpses of tho gigantic organisation and tremendous uian-power that mnko possible , tho irresistible- onslaught of tho guns and the infantry. Roads and tracks, almost inconceivably muddy, arc shown, covered with .the transport that must feed the attacking front. Somo of thn "lankfi" aro Keen creeping forward lo play their part in tho advance. Thou corup tho final preparations for tho advance. The infantry receive food and bombs, while Lho massed batteries behind them dclugo tho enemy trenches with shells. Tho moment of assault arrives, and the infantry clamber "over tho top" and plod deliberately forward whilo tho tanks crawl out across "No ifon's Land" and crush wiro entanglements beneath their pondorous bodies. Wares of mon pour forward, and presently tho wounded .begin lo come back, somo on stretchers, M>mo IFVaing and hobbling, somo nursing hastily-bandaged arms and heads. German prisoners arrivo also, and "Tommy" is seen ' joking with "I'Vilr.:" Later victorious regimcnla begin to return battle-stained and joyous, covered with mud and ladon with trophies. iSomo later pictures show tho positions that were captured, including tno famous Kivamp of Ihe Ancre, and givo an idea of tho obstaiflte that were overcome by British courage and British guns. This outline of the war pictures is by no' means .complete. Scores of scenes ajid incidenle blond together info a broad view of «■ modern battlefield as it might bo e.cen by a very privileged spectator who'was prepared to bravo Gorman, sholle. But enough has been said to indicate tho scope of the official film, and there will not be many people in Wellington who hill not soo. the details for themselves.

Tho kinomatograph picture, was profaced by a mop of tho district in which tho fighting, occurred, and by a series flf official views of lho country over which the victorious British troopa foujht. Another film displayed for the tirst limp in New Zealand showed the visit to overseas delegates to gun-making works in tho United Kingdom, and traced the E.tacpG of the- manufacture of a big fnin from tho canting of the ingot, to tho Bring of tho first shot on tho proving ground.

The ivar film is l:,oing shown throughout New Zoaland under the auspices of llio Young Men's Christian Aspocietion, which was entrusted with the. workbv the Department of Internal .Affaire. Tho Minister in charge of l.hfl Department, tho Hon. (4. W. Ttussell, stated! in tho wutsh of a brinf cpoech that ttio official pictures had been , tent, to the Now Zealand Government by the. Imperial authoritioa in order that the people of this country might feo the actual conditions r>f tho fighting on tho West; front. Tho Government had asked 1 tlho Y.M.CI.A. to nndertako the exhibition, tihe whole of tho net proceeds to be devoted to tho relief of Buffering and the provision of cornforte for tho men in the field. The Minister paid a. tribute to fno work of tho organisation, and mentioned also tho offoria that his Department had made lo provide adequately for tho. rare of invalided soldiers at Henmer and Rotorua. Ho added that there had been grey days in connection with the war. but the unquenchable spirit and unfailing cheerfulness of tho men in fho field, as shown in tho war' pictures, was a guarantee of final victory. The Mayor of Wellington (Mr. ,1. P. Luke) and the National President, of tho Y.M.C.A.. (Miv W. H. Goorgo) also spoke shortly during tho evening. Mr.TI. T>hipps contributed a Fonj, Tho Town Hall was crowded in all parts. "Tho Buttle of the Attan" .will be shown twice to-da.y, first at a matinee in the afternoon and then in the evening. There will bo two screenings oaoh day on .Wednesday and Thursday, and a final matineo on Saturday afternoon.

Those who worn unable to gain admission last: oveninir are advised, that their tickets are available for a.ny of the threp rcmainiu? njghts of the seocon.