A VIVID DESCRIPTION

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1917, Page 1

A VIVID DESCRIPTION

Df Australians’ /It tek

(Australian & N.Z. Gab A<so jia ioi^

ami lieuttr).

LONDON, April 20

- An Australian artillery officer gii'co a vivid description of the liveliness mi the West Front, n wricli the Australians are reveling. “Our boys,” he says, were i.-cmr in hotter fettle. The staff lias always realised that .-the Australians are at itlreir best in an offensive. Lagnicourt was a memorable day. Although the Australians suffered heavily under the first attack winch was delivered with unprecedented pressure, they got their own back when they advanced under cover of our. artillery fire. The crowning moment was when they cut orr inu Prussians and shot at them point blanv. hater they put up a notice: “We are ready for the rest of the Guards, send them along,” but the Germans did respond. The Australians’ howitzers hardly had time to cool The guns were firing five shots pen- minute continuously for nine hours. It was a very hot period and the German artillery becoming demoralised replied feebly. All the former British bombardments were nothing compared with it, you could never hear the report; oi » single gun, but only the constant roar, which gets on the nerves. But I wouldn’t miss the fighting during these days. We have got “Fritz” beaten, and he knows it. The prisoners arc mere wrecks, the only feeling they are capable of, is of relief that the horrible ordeal is over.”