TRENCH WARFARE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 16, 26 February 1915, Page 1 (Supplement)

TRENCH WARFARE.

METHODICAL AND MONOTONOUS. The "Times" Par's correspondent, describing his visit to the front, writes: Tho German linj running from the North Sea to Switzerland may 1>? likened to a bar of iron, the red hot extremities of which "ar 0 now being bent back by the mighty hammers of the Allies in the north and the French in the south, but the centre of which has grown cold and rigid. The positions along the Aisne have remained practically without alteration for over three months. In the bold round hills of the Champagne the Germans have so dug themselves in, so wound themselves round with barbed wire, so studded their position with he aw <nins, that it would seem that only 'by"a nrghty bending in Flanders or tho Vosges can the iron bar be broken here. The centre has of late rather fallen out of the picture. Both sides have weakened their lines here for more serious business in Flanders, and the centre is practically the only portion of the field where equality in numbers preNowhere else along the front have the troops on either side had so much leisure to make war as little ii ksomo ns poss'lvle. In some pnrts along the line it is conducted with the methodical i monotony of a city office or suburban 'shop. At one point it is a matter of

honour, although 110 verbal or written undertaking has naturally been given by either side, to call a complete truce in the trenches unless an offensive is actually in progress, until 5.30 in the morirng, when business bcgrns for the day. BUSINESS BEGINS FOR THE DAY. Tho men get out of the trenches at about half past four, walk openly along the line, wash, and attend to their personal affairs in complete security, knowing that on neither siele would a shot Iw fired. But after 5.30 til. first head, tho first hand, raised above the trenclns would probably bo raised no more. At one point the same honourable understanding is in force for the dinner hour, at eleven o'clock, and the men bringing up and preparing soup pass to the trenches without let or hindrance. Nowhere else in the line are the trenches so clos;> to each At one spot along the road from Reims to Laon only tho width of the road divides them. Tho enemies here are getting to know each other so well that they call each other by their Christian names. It was in these tirnchos that a Frenchman shouted out to the "Bosehes.' "Come, show yourselves. We want to se? what kind of animal you are." 11 To shoot, came the reply". An assurance was given. and then first one and then another head roso tim'dly above the trench lines until there was a whole line of German her.cls peeping up on level with tho roadside. Then a German suggested that the French should do tho same, and the French ill their trench rose up alio, and for the first time for manv weeks these men, who had been fighting one another, were ablo reallv to see what- sort of Co.* they hnd. Sir'ddenlv on 0 of the Germans, seized with suspicion, dropped lih head Irnmediatelv tlie faces disapp?nred. and hostilities were resumed.