Australasian Phalanx.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 15 November 1917, Page 1

Australasian Phalanx.

(Commonwealth Official —Copyright.) Oct. 7. It is allowable to state that the centre of Thursday's great battle, in which Broodscinde and Gravcnstafcl fell, was occupied by a single solid phalanx of Australian and New Zealand troops, which constituted the greatest force of Australasian soldiers or those of any Dominion which ever attacked simultaneously. This powerful southern striking force formed the centre yet more extensive British line. Not the least important causc of the outstanding dash of these troops on this occasion was their real enthusiasm at being employed beside their fellow-soldiers from the Pacific Dominions. The Australasian force which was launched 011 Thursday was animated by a fierce national pride, which cannot be too. fully realised. The result of Thursday's battle was that, together with certain British troops, for whom the ground teems with undying associations, they pushed the Germans off from a part of the crest which for three years had been one of the most essential portions of his main position on the Western front.

The Australian soldiers on Thursday swept over almost the exact position north of Broodscinde where General French's line in front of Ypres originally ran in the earliest days of tho war. But to those who have watched the war in Europe closely during the past two years these three battles mean far more than a mere struggle for positions. Many of us to-day feel an optimism, which we have not before felt, realising that a means has at last been worked out of delivering 011 the Germans whenever it is desired smashing blows which they cannot avoid or parry.

Eacli time the Germans have known that a blow was coming, and have scon the arm raised, yet, in spite of all preparations, they received the blow full and square between the eyes, one, two and three within a fortnight. Every time tho attack reached exactly the point decided on, and was stopped there deliberately. All the German counter-attacks have not brought back one inch of valuable ground. The German troops have been simply forced to take whatever blow we decide to deal them, and they know it. Personally, one feels that for the first time the weapon has been worked out which opens up the prospect of a real success leading to a decisive issue. It should bo a matter of tremendous pride to Australians to realise that in the battles of Messines and Ypres the solid striking force of their troops helped in ail outstanding way to deal the blows by which this weapon has been proved. Two counter-attacks were beaten off on Thursday by Australasian troops. Over 1000 prisoners and several guns appear to have been taken by them. Their advance at some points was at least a mile and a-quarter.