FRITZ ON THE RUN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1892, 19 October 1918, Page 1

FRITZ ON THE RUN.

CHARED BY CAVALRY, TANKS,

AND ’PLANER,

A graphic narrative of the lighting in the middle of August was obtained from a young Glasgow soldier of the Tank's Corps, who drove one of the tanks which went farthest into the German lines in the new Somme battle.

“Our tanks,” he stated, “were of the light or whippet type, and we travelled fast. The way was difficult because of the low-lying mist. The German guns opened on us with great fury just then, shells bursting in front of us, at the side and behind, where the infantry were moving in our wake, singing cheerily all Die time. Singing ceased after a few shells had hurst among (he men, but was resumed as we swept forward. “\\ T e swept forward at onr top speed, for (he mist was rising, and day was breaking everywhere. In front of ns were a number of lints, and a.t Die end of these a heller looking building of Dio villa type, wired and netted to make il bombproof. It was Die brigade headquarters. From an open window appeared Die head of an elderly man in a nightcap. Ho was shoaling something in Gorman. Onr infantry were entering the building from all sides, and on Die stairs they found many otlieers in different degrees of dress and undress. J| was the brigade staff, and the old man was Die brigadier. They were too surprised for words.

A MAI) II Fi 1 /i' Fj It -RK El /PE R

“The alarm had been given everywhere now, ai id across I lie landscape we could >ee the hurrying figures of German officers and men. Into these (lying groups \vc tired as fast as we could, and hundreds were shot down. The infantry were keeping up with us very well, hut hy now began to slacken down the pace, and the cavalry appeared on 1 liescene later. Near.to us were men of the Scots Greys and the Inniskilling Dragoons. They were charging into the rcirouting enemy from three different pninls. “The Germans were easling aside packs, rides, and everything likely to hamper their movements. Suddenly a party of the Greys appeared at 1 lie end of 1 lie main mad by which tho enemy were retreating. They were coining across country, and had succeeded in heading oh (he enemy. Overhead were British aeroplanes. The Germans saw (he new danger in lime, and turned frantically from the road to escape Iho sabres of Ibe Scots. Into the fields to the rigid and left (he Germans plunged. Over them (he British airmen soared for a while, and then bombs began lo drop in rapid succession. Teritied Germans were killed and maimed at every .turn. The survivors headed back, and were inlercepied by our tanks.

They were shot down by Iho score, end nnid panic seized the survivors. One German battalion commander was among his men, clad only in pyjamas. Ho was trying to rally the men, but they showed no respect for his authority in the absence op the uniform so respected by the German soldier. They disregarded his orders, and ran past our tank which was tiring into them all the time. We knocked them out as fast its we could, but we had no time to stop, for our job was to press on in support of the cavalry and airmen, while the infantry gathered up what was left. “By the afternoon we had reached a point nearly nine miles from the start of our offensive, and had the satisfaction of being told that we had gone further than any other unit taking part in the tight.

BETWEEN TWO FIRES

“The Germans were still on the rim, panic being general, and what added to it was the fact that other German troops were being harried

up by every rotul Ip lie thrown into battle. Instead of gelling into buttle those unit's.'were gelling among (ho retreaing Hunsq and adding u Iho general panic. Romo of (he Germans trying to get into the fighting line to retrieve the disaster that had overtaken their arms lost patience with their own comrades and heavy lire was opened on them from different points, driving them hack in confusion towards us. Hero again Die cavalry came into action, and the Scots Greys had a magnificent charge.

“Our attention was attracted by commotion in the rear, and more Germans appeared. They were Hying from the second German linos to our right and left. They had been driven off the main road, and were seeking safely in onr lines under the mistaken notion that they were not likely to be molested by British troops. Rome of onr tanks turned about and poured thousands of rounds of machine gun Indicts into these Huns, taking terrible toll of Diem in lives and sending them reeling hack towards onr infantry lines behind. “Our battle-line was now established on a front of about two miles wide nearly nine miles from the origina.l point of departure, and the enemy were at templing to develop counter-attacks on both Hanks, hut onr tanks were active more than ever, and were keeping up a tierce cross-lire, which was picking off Die enemy by Die score. The Rents cavalrymen were attacking once more, and after desperate lighting they succeeded in idea ring Die whole line, starting the Germans on Die run once again, and keeping them on Die move in spite of repealed attempts to rush onr new positions.”