PHILIP GIBES’ ACCOUNT

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1918, Page 1

PHILIP GIBES’ ACCOUNT

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIOHT.j LONDON, September ‘2O. Mr Phillip. Gibbs writes: Wednesday was one of ihc great days of the war, and far more important and successful than I guessed, when 1 went first among the Australians. That was early in the day. It developed into a big victory before nightfall. after many hours of desperate fighting. We are now overlooking the main defences of the IJindcnburg line The enemy launched a very fierce counter attack against Gauche Wood, which the Seventh Division of .Lancashire and Yorkshire troops (rushed with superb courage. The achievement was more memorable because the .Division had been fighting incessantly since the eighth of August. Meanwhile the enemy was making a fierce attack at Moeuvres and flavrineourt. The German commander ordered the Sixth Division io break the British line. Tie gave forty batteries to help the attack. The Germans advanced under cover of frightful line of fire, hut Ihe Guards were there, and the glorious old thirdDivision, who were the heroes of the defence of Arras last April. They found quick targets among these masses of Germans and slaughtered them. It. was a black day for German hopes ami manhood.

The Twenty-first Division, including the Lincolns and Leicesters, lighting south of Villens and Guislain, captured a famous position, Waucelletts farm. Advancing, like the Australians farther south, under cover of a dense smoke screen, the Lincolns and Leicestors confused the enemy so that the farm was surrendered before a shot- was fired. Year at hand, were the Wilishires. These met the Germans advancing fo counter-attack, in Linnet Valley. The Wilishires never halted to consider a withdrawal, but charged straight into the German .wave of assault,, and destroyed it, capturing eight field guns. It -must never be forgotten that these men of the Seventeenth and Twentyfirst. Divisions suffered grievously in the March retreat. Yet, they fought they wav back and captured all the old ground.' Our Eastern County men had a very hard time at Epehy .where the German Alpine, Corps fought like tigers. Epehy contained a strong earth work called the Fishers Keep, which finally was taken after a trench mortar bombardment. The Londoners repulsed counter attacks throughout the day and night. Further south, nearer St' Quentin, W£re tbe filiffs, SKrop-

shires, Sherwoods and Norfolk®. Fighting at Holnon and nearby were the Camerons and Black AVatch. At Berthaucourt and Frcsnoy, some Germans of the 119th Division ran away panic: stricken, but small bodies of brave men kept their machine-guns busy in copses.

A YANKEE’S ACCOUNT. London, Sept 22 Mr Price Bell, Chicago “ Daily News ’’ correspondent,.on the West Front, interviewed General Monash. He said : “The German morale is low, but we are doubtless a long way from the end of heavy fighting. The Germans are beaten. If the weather is favourable, it is conceivable the Germans will be pushed out of France by Christmas. I cannot say the same for Belgium. The Hindenburg line will be taken in due course."

While the correspondent was with General Monash. they passed by some Australian soldiers, working in a field. They did not .salute. General Monash said : “ They did not salute me, but they are carrying on. We make too much of these symbols and signs of discipline. There is one supreme, final, test of discipline. It is that every man at the appointed time and place shall be on hand and resolute to do his job. By this test the Australian Army has passed one hundred per cent clean. Air Price Bell continues : You can travel for. two hours by fast automobile, due east of Amiens without reaching the end of the ground from which the Australians have driven the Germans since April.

He describes General Monash as pre-eminently positive, with un wavering confidence, in his soldiers, his own ideas, and himself. His military aspiration is a pertinacious offensive. General Monash said the Australians’ successes are due largely to junior officers, man)’ of whom have risen from the ranks, and he particularly praised the speed of their engineers in bridge building.

Mr Price Bell concludes : “ General Monash’s daring and geunius are written all across the landscape of France, from Amiens to the Hindenburg line.” Mr Bell is one of the most brilliant American correspondents in Europe.