GETTING A MOVE ON.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1918, Page 4

GETTING A MOVE ON.

A NEW WARFARE-

Somewhere in France. Gone are the days 6f the old trench warfare. The familiar bays and traverses are no more. One no longer hears the cry of “ Minnie Right! ” or “ Minnie Left! ” which were the warnings given by the first man to see one of “ Jerry’s ” minenwerfers coming over the too familiar “No Man’s Land ” toward our lines. Also, the wire is thinner now, and the dug-outs are not “decorated” inside as they used to be in a manner which gave the impression that the occupants intended to stay there for some time. Instead we have the outpost line of machine gun .emplacements, and behind a line of trenches newly cut; while beyond these again, in the valleys, woods, and rolling country, one sees countless camps, horse lines, tankodromes, aerodromes, all giving the impression that they could be uprooted ancl carried forward at a moment’s notice.

At dawn one day there is a crash and a rumble and everything seems to be moving forward as if impelled by a mighty chess-player. The crash is a barrage for an attack. “ Over the top ” go the tanks, with the infantrymen in close attendance; then more and more infantrymen, all with light equipment —bayonets fixed and bombs ready for immediate use.

The tanks crash through what wire there is ancl blot out the enemy machine guns ancl gunners, while the enemy infantrymen crouch low in what dug-outs they have or “skedaddle” to the rear, to Ire ruthlessly shot down by the tank gunners. Those who are run to earth are promptly dealt with by our infantrymen’s bayonets and bombs, and the tanks go forward.

So with the whole army. As soon as the enemy batteries are silenced or retreating np come our incomparable gunners, followed, or even preceded, by pioneers, who get to work at roads and crossings over trenches even while the battle rages. Sometimes, too, one sees the cavalry coming through They advance through the guns, through the infantry, and through the tanks, and out into the open among a surprised and disorganised enemy, dealing with retreating transport, enemy battalions, brigades, and divisional headquarters in the orthodox cavalry’’ style. Then, when the final objective is reached, each “ arm” settles itself clown once more and eagerly awaits its opportunity to repeat the “show.”