FLYING LIGHT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 1, 26 September 1917, Page 5

FLYING LIGHT

WHAT SOLDIERS CARRY WHEN THEY "GO OVER," "The men went over without their packs and other heavy* kit. The change was of grU/lt benefit, especially in the heavy ground. They were able- to attack the pill-boxes in a sort of skirmishing etyle." Tho above was part of a long message describing the latest British push on the Ypres front, written by Mr. Percival Phillips, special correspondent of the London "Dally' Express." The message is somewhat incomprehensible to the men who have been at the front, and "gone over" in the thickest of it. Oue soldier, who got liis share at Messincs Ridge, was questioned by a Dominion reporter. "I don't know what he means. We ve never 'gone over , without our packs. All we had when the order came to get over the top was a haversack, containing rations and an oil-sheet, a water-bottle, webb equipment (containing the ammunition), rifle and bayonet, a gas helmet slung in front of us, and field dressings in an inside pocket in the tunic. I don't see how men could go forward .vita less, because tho articles mentioned are necessary in attaok. ■ "He must bo protected against gas; he ninst have a ration and water in case he is cut off, or marooned in a shell crater; and he must have dressings to stop the bleeding in case of a minor in"As a matter of fact, when the order coinos that this or that section is to go over,' the men's kits are always left in the trenches, and almost as soon as the trenches are vacated fatigues come along, gather them all up, and take them to the headquarters depot, where they are kept until tho new position is consolidated, or, if unsuccessful, the old trench line is occupied, when the kits are redistributed. This system makes it comparatively easy for the kit of a man who is wounded, killed, or taken prisoner to bet set aside until the time comes to restore it to s-hoevcr is entitled to it. If the man is a 'Blighty' case it is sent with or after him, to England; if a 'Frenehy,' it goee with him to Hie hospital at Bologne, or wherever he may be sent to."