THE AUSTRALIANS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 July 1918, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIANS.

LONDON, July 10th

Yesterday the Australian Infantry wore gradually worming their way down the German positions in front of our trenches before ViJ,lers-Brotton-neux on n plateau though wheatfields.. They for the first time since April 24, reached what must have been some sport trenches winch were originally dug by the Australians themselves when they first went into the position before Villers-Bretonneux, at the beginning of April. Others filtered into a wood surrounding a monument in the

German front line. The Germans made a sharp fight, but 10 were killed, and two machine guns and two grenade throwers were taken. Wo now hold most of the German front line here. In the north the same process is con-

tinually going on. For example on Sunday last towards the end of the after noon a voting Victorian officer and two men were feconnoitring, and found a German post. They sent for six more men, and then bombed the post, killing I eight. The remaining three Gentians still fought,'so one was shot and two captured. The machine gun was destroyed, and the party returned. Two hours later another officer and two men moved out to see if the Germans had reoeenpied the post. Four Germans were found there. One was killed and three captured. The following morning in broad daylight another Victorian officer, with an American officer who was there for experience, and a small party crept out to a German machine-gun post, killed the gun’s crew, and brought in the gun. Two hours later a party of New South Welshmen went out and raided the German position. They brought in two prisoners. Tn the south since the fighting at Hamel eased the Germans have constantly tried to approach and build up their line close to our front. Once they succeeded in driving out one of our posts, which was out by itself. Last night the Germans again tried to reoccupy their old trenches before our line, but the attempt was broken up by artillery and machine-gun fire. The organisation of War Records in Britain is proceeding actively. The Hon. J, W. Fortescue (Librarian at Windsor Castle) is writing the official history of the first report of the Imperial War Museum. Details are given of many trophies, including several from the Emden, the wheel and binnacle from the Arethusa, a locker from the Cape of Good Hope, and an historical trench signboard from Verdun, inscribed “On ne passe pas” (they shall not pass).