HOW "RAIDS" ARE CONDUCTED

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 282, 8 June 1917, Page 3 (Supplement)

HOW "RAIDS" ARE CONDUCTED

A BRITISH SPECIALITY. BY AN ANZAC. "Successful raid on the German trenches." That is almost a daily announcement in the Press, but the reader is left entirely in the dark as to how the tiling is done. Ra : ds have formed a large and important part in our winter operations, and without a doubt their aims and results have been thoroughly justified. In selecting a raiding party great care is exercised m choosing the men most likely to possess the qualifications for such important and hazardous wurk. Only those with more than the ;..er.- : go personal initiative resourcefulcoolness, and unquestionable can contribute to a successful issue. The party, ones chosen, must then be educated to what is required of them by weeks of unbroken preparation and instruction. Each man must thoroughly understand his particular role, and be confident in his ability to play it when the occasion arises. The party as a whole must also know the duty allotted to each and every member, in order that no broken link occurring through accident or individual mshap may in .any way affect the successful continuance or the enterprise. Daily physical exercises are as necessary as a careful instruction in the use of the bayonet. THE DEADLY BOMB. Bomb-throwing has to be assiduously practised. A complete knowledge of the ingredients, general construction, an deffectiveness of the various makes of bombs of all countries is necessary, to inspire confidence in their manipulation. Bombs are really very inoffensive articles when treated with the respect their importance is entitled to. When injudiciously treated as of no account, they are apt to demonstrate their resentment in an unmistakable and alarming manner. Accordingly, the advisable procedure on the part of those entrusted with their care is to see that the bombs are carefully and comfortably handled and housed. On completion of this part of the instruction the party is then transferred to a temporarily constructed miniature section of trench, as nearly similar as possible to that which they contemplate raiding. Day as well as night attacks are carried out in a formation exactly the same as will be taken on the night of the operation. No detail is omitted that will in any way facilitate ultimate success, and no measures overlooked to combat any attempt on the part of tho enemy to frustrate the .wonv while in Lis trench. THE FATEFUL TIME ARRIVES. We may now conclude that the preparatory training has been completed, and we are now all on edge for the opportunity to display our prowess, each determined to eclipse his neighbour in dash and efficiency. At last the eagerly awaited night arrives, and we are driven to our pre-arranged rendezvous, where we pu>& the finishing touches to our jealously guarded plan. We seat ourselves to a sumptuous repast, oblivious to anything suggesting the dangers we will encounter during the next hour or two; in fact, we will listen to nothing that does not savour of complete success and a proud and happy re-union at this same rendezvous before the return drive to our billets. A few minutes later little groups of weirdly-equipped figures may be seen stealthily wending their way in single file and at regular intervals along the deserted white road tnat worms its way to the firing line. This can easily be determined by the continual display of star sheik, rising like myriads of fireflies and bursting into a flood of palpitating radiance. The efficacy of this method of illumination lias really to be seen to be appreciated, as imagination falls far short of the actual effect produced by these shells. Our tramp is continued silently. We have taken the precaution of discarding our cigarettes so as to afford no assistance to the hidden sn'per, who is ever ready to pursue his fox-like tactics with reentless vigour and pitiless accuracy. There is no slackening in our step, however, and to the uninitiated we only give the impression of a few working parties proceeding to the relief of the men who have been employed during the day in the never-ending tasks of trench,' parapet, and other front line repairs. After leaving the road and having z ; gzagged our way along saps and communication trenches, we suddenly emerge into the firing line, where we are granted a short spell of rest. A minute inspefcion 's then made to see that every man is in his place and in possession of every necessary equipment. IN "NO MANS LAND." Satisfied on these points, wo now leave the comparative safety of our parapet for the uninviting gruesomeness of "no mans' land," each of us noping that a lull in the tell-tale refections of the German star shells may enable us to reach unobserved the point arranged upon a* the deploy from which the final dash is to lie made. It is now tMt tho maximum of coolness and nerve is demanded of us, as the slightest noise would at once betray our whereabnots, and it is not yet time to introduce ourselves if we ct:n avoid it. No imagination can describe the tension of theso moments of anxious waiting, but relief comes with the signal to dnfsh over the intervening ground, through the barbed wire, and into tho German trench. No exultant hurrahs or jubilant challenges are issued a« the undaunted little band advances grimly to encounter whatever opposition lire hidden behind that innocent-looking sandbag wall. The Itarbed wire area, varying in deptii from 20 to 50 yards presents the first formidable resistance, and it is here that an opportunity is afforded the Hun sharpshooters to prevent one or two of u i petting to close quarter, with them, which they are as anxious to avo'd ns wo aro eager to accomplish. Their effort* are of littlo avail, however, and in a few seconds we are through the wire, over the enemy (parapet, and deaMng out death and terror with an irresistible determination.

MAX TO MAX Man to man, or even with thr- odd l .-) in his favour, the Germans are no math for us -;t hand-to-hend fighting, and w<> revel in roaming through his dug-outs, bombing, bayoneting, s-c-ur-ing l*>nty, pr\oners, and generally ups.ctting tho equilibrium of lin temporary home. H : s trenches and dug-outs are reduced to an unrecognisable mass rf earth, torn sandbags, and splintered du.k-lsonrds. and. in the procesH, manv an amazing feat b.:is been achieved under the spur of momentary exultation and many an unnoticed act of heroism «nd -"If-sicrifi •■• enacted which go down m nr= "orded. inif. undying tc-tiumuv *.i •>.■ ■-!■ votion of the men who ere i.:•>...•! '.'':n opportunity to ii|:h"!i! tho !,.■'..,•: of ''■■ ir King and count rv. Iluiugri' i." 'ished their mis-ion and :!••; ~!,<! .'ii !■■ it for the safe transfer i r pt:.,Mi'-'• - a:nl lxiotv, tli" pirty prot ,!■'.;'!■. :o its own lines !>v th" s-ife'-t

means available—generally each man for himself. This part of tho enterprise is attended by no small amount oi' danger, as the Gornuuw, as soon as they arc sure wo have vacated their trenches, immcdiateJy man their parapet with a view to picking off a few of us liefore we reach the shelter of our own trench. It its therefore often hours lx>fore we aro able to regain our lines, at time; crawling snake fashion and again jumping from one shell hole to another as opportunity occurs between the glare of tho star shells and the bursting of of shrapnel and mortars. This is continued without, pause until the enemy cro satisfied that we are either casualties or safely under cover of our own parapet. Thov then r«'duo!> their strafing, and wo cautiously drag ourselves foot by ir.ot to safety. Looking back to tho German line.-., tho ground we have just, traversed reveals a scene of sombre majestv. a suggestion of uneonceni audi indifference to t!:o sinister dram a jut completed; but we. liave no n nin for morhid imagination < as to what is transpiring over there, so we move about accepting ;i!id extending congratulations and repeating tit--- ini|uiry. "Has so-and-Mi turned •:.;> all ri'.dil," until it is time for us to return to lite billets. We have br-ip/lii ! ur exploit to a nc;-! -"■?>■■] •••ouc'usi'.-n, so with liidit bmtcr and choruses plentiful wo drive back in motor transports to the remains of a farm d'signnted our "<|unr!o.r«," the thought of each exhausted member of tho partv in agreement with the words-"Slccn. I 1 is well."