TRENCH PITFALLS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1917, Page 3

TRENCH PITFALLS

Newfoundlanders’ Bash(From W. Beach Thomas) With the British Army in the Field, Nov 13

Ia preparation, for ih9 winter war that faces us the enemy is perfecting a new form of defence. Tbe species is the saui6 in most caßes, but within the species are many varieties. Any number of particular examples may be given. Along one pait of the line north of tbe Somme battlefield he has deserted his front trench and ia place of men filled it with a moss of barbed wire, rooted in the ground but forming a deep tangle above it. Anyone who jumps in ia caught as in a man-trap, and though he may disentangle himself he cannot easily uproot the snare. Here and there tbe trench has a bay in it, where a sentry or two with a machine gun is placed to watch and rake the approaches. Of course, this device ia only adopted over comparatively Bhoit reaches; but it has the effect of lessening the total garrison and not greatly weakening the defence. For continuation of nows see fourth page

■ Elsewhere along tbe front trenohes have been deepened to as much as 12ft, and fitted with litHo ladders leading from the dack-boardiog at the foot to the elaborate fire-step six or seven feet higher np.

In recent attacks on the Somme Wfl have often fjuud the fi'sfc treneh attacked as nearly as may be empty—at any rate of live Gtroians. Bat behind tbe trench were plenty of posts or strong points to which supports coaid he harried. The result is that almost as soon as the front trench is taken a counter-attack can be organised, and the attacking party is likely to have great superiority in numbers,- freshness, and supplier. <

Some partial successes have been won in this w«y between Le Sars ( and La Transloy, though, on the whole, the counter-attacks proved costly and only succeeded when the troops delivering them were quite first class. No one knows this better than the enemy, and in hope that weather and winter would very soon come to their help, he has plugged theSlefence over all our battle front with the best and freshest troops he possesses.

None fs quite ftesh. We know that at least 118 divisions (that is, at present infantry strength, just ovsr a million meD), have suffered heavily against ns and the Freuoh during the battle. Most of these have needed at least 50 per cent of drafts to bring them up to strength before returning to the battle, and many of these recruits are of the 1917 class, But the picked 'Fegiraents are still picked regiments with professional tradition behind them and have fought very much better during the last three weeks than they fought after the general defeat of September 15, when symptoms of demoralisation were cpmmon. . THE NEWFOCNDLKIIS. Nov 14

A great little fight has been fought by a company or two of Newfoundlers. The appointed time for their attack was three in the afternoon and in the waiting hours the enemy's gunuera proved suspicions and restless. They dotted the assembly trench with whizbangs and crumps. But there is nothing better to add venom to a charge than preliminary shelling and the Newfoundlers “ went over the lid ”in a streak. They expected a quarter of a m ; le course, but had gone only half the way when they oame upon a strong trench that had escaped the notice of airmen and mapmakers.

It proved formless but far from void. It was indeed full of Germans, to tbe real dtl<ght of tbe storming party. A hand-to-hand tight was all iheir wish. It was denied them before, and ever since “Remembec Jaly 1” has baen the battle-cry of all Newfoundland. Desire of vengeance for their fata on that day arms every action of the rpgiment. One of the two officers who then escaped was leading this October charge ; and as he reached the 'unexpected trench he knew that he and his men held vengeance iu their hinds, Fora ruiLute or two bayonet and bombs were busy ; and then the garrison had no more spirit left in them. Their weapon* were thrown down and their hands held up. Seventy prisoners were takeD/" The trench was won.

Nevertheless the day’s fight had hardly began. Behind the captured positioh v the German barrage fell like a portcul is, quite impassable. No attempt could be made to send back even the prisoners, and on the sbonlders of the storming partp lay the whole burden. Everyone with a spade began digging against the moment when a counter-attack should develop or the shell fire “ shorten.” As the work went on it was seen that the danger in front was not the only daager. Something had gene wrong on the left; and the continuation of the trench westwards wob still held by the enemy.

.No one thought of retirement, but the first to think of attack were a sergeant and % man who set off to bomb and shoot their way laterally

along tbe left trench. Together they ran a marvellous The sergeant leapt into a machine-gun emplacement, killed the crew and captured the gun. By mere threats of bomba,,., the two took a buDch of prisoners.

Fio&Hy theße valiant platoons clear" ed and presently garrisoned the whole of the frant that the companies on their left had failed to reach or hold.