AUSTRALIANS AND ANKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 September 1917, Page 4

AUSTRALIANS AND ANKS.

It was about three in tlie afternoon that tho shelling suddenly became heavier to tho right of Alessiues. It, was both British and German. It suggested that the Germans were preparing the way for a counterattack, and we knew that within a few minutes the Australians who were moving beyond and through the New Zealanders and the British, were to attack further along the whole of the south of the line, while the British advanced along all the line to the north of them- There is some evidence that our bombardment just caught the German counterattack on the head.

Anyway, at it little past three pat tics began to move up tho open past the further Australian line. They seemed at the first too small for the great distance they had lo go. But it was only a preliminary move. A few minutes later there moved up near lo them two tanks, a third following at a short distance. As the tanks passed where the front ol tlie infantry had been the whole lullslopc suddenly swarmed with men. Tanks and men moved together over the crest, the tank guns Hashing continually. The German shells were falling thick, again and again blotting out all sign of the advance in dust and smoke. But •whenever the dust cleared you could see the tanks and tlie infantry still going. The tanks stood still on tlie crest for a moment firing heavily, Imt a moment later moved towards a t est of German trenches hidden by the trees. With them went the infantry. For a few minutes men could still be seen going beyond the crest. Then tho battle passed out of view. The furthest objective there we could see had had cei tainly been gained. wiu.i, don e r.ivra. i A quarter of an hour later a grey shape appeared around these trees, followed shortly by .another. Tt was tbe tanks returning, their duty done. One of the two was on lire ; the roof of it could be seen blazing, but still he. continued to work his way cut. For several minutes he stopped, and the onlookers thought him destroyed. But presently he veered and found another way down the bill. For twenty-live minutes, with that lire blazing from the roof of him, he made his track down the hill to i safety.

Tlie tanks came hack but the infantry stayed. One came front that scene full of heart. On the hillside opposite two or three small parties were being marshalled and Winding their way down rite bill. As far as any man could toll, this whole attack had succeeded as very f.w attacks have ever succeeded before had gone through to tlie finish wiliout a a check. For the Germans it must must have been a tremendous blow—one in the morning, followed swift ly by the other in the afternoon.

TremendnusYoiiiiter-aliticks had, of course to he expected— Imt for us what had begun so well was not likely to end badly.