FOLLOW THE BARRAG

Hokitika Guardian, 25 July 1918, Page 4

FOLLOW THE BARRAG

.Some hours before, under cover of the darkness, the sub, had led his men to their allotted position, where they now lie awaiting the signal to commence their game of "Follow the Barrage.” . He moves quietly from man to man whispering, “Fifteen minutes to go.” The quietly spoken replies. ‘Good, sir,’ “We’re ready, sir,” prove how welcome his message it. It heralds action ; waiting is irksome. Crasliing, deafening, terrible, comes the signal. Our barrage lias opened and the shells are bursting with vivid splashes on the German first line 80 yards in front. Within 30 seconds dozens of star shells brilliantly illumine the sky, and the venomous crack and rattle of rifles and machine guns adds to to pandemonium. It is the Huns’ reply—they are alert. Our men are already moving in an extended line as on parade, following tiie barrage. There is no apparent Inn ry. Above the continuous deafening roar and crash, crack and rattle, no human voice can be beard, and the men loom large, like giant silhouettes, amid the glare. Here and thero one sinks to the ground and—stays there. Reaching the Huns’ barbed wire, tinboys worm their way through the gaps and then sink on one knee waiting. The critical moment is near when the barrage will lift and creep on towards the German second lino, 'l'here is no warning, no pause in the thunderous roar of the bursting shells, yet instinctively all know the barrage has moved on. Now is tlie psychological moment—hesitation means failure.

As one man, the lads leapt forward with a yell and are in the trench liefore the Huns realise it. Opposition is quickly swept aside with bayonet and rifle-butt. Our lads are irresistible. One man takes his place as sentry at each dug-out entrance where the Huns have “gone io earth.” The remainder scramble quickly out of the trench and, again extending into line, follow the barrage, pounding the Gorman second line.

Everywhere hangs a heavy fog of smoke, and away behind a roar can be heard like the echo of the barrage in front. The Hun has opened his barrage on our first line to cut off our reinforcements. No matter—lie is too late. Already our second wave is reinforcing the first as they move up to within 30 yards of the German line.

As our barrage lifts forward and creeps towards the German third line our lads dash forward and capture the trench, meeting strong opposition from two or three machine-gun positions. For the first- time they throw bombs, which quickly smash a way for the bayonet. Keener than ever, the men quickly form up, and following the barrage, take the German third line with little opposition, and the final objective is gained. The crisis over. Nature reasserts herself. The men are surprised to find it is daylight, and. for the first time, real iso they are tired ami thirsty. Clothes and puttees are torn, steel lints lost, a few men are slightly wounded; yet withal, they are exuberantly happy, for they have “followed the barrage” to victory. JAMES W. FRY.