Australia.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 43, 7 October 1914, Page 5

Australia.

GERMAN NEW BRITAIN. THE OPERATIONS OF THE AUSTRALIAN FORCES. Sydney, October C. The newspapers publish lengthy acjounts of the capture of Habaul and Herbertshohe, in German New Britain, >laberating the main incidents already .■a bled. The operations included some aard lighting through a tropical junble, particularly the capture of the wireless station, eight miles inland from Kahabaul, which was guarded by fines of trenches and other impediments. This was first undertaken bj a small naval party, but subsequently strong reinforcements had to be sent. After a stubborn resistance, Lieut. Kempt, in charge of the first line oj trenches, surrendered with three Gev' mans and 20 natives, and accompanied the British to the second line of trenches, which Lieut. Kerapf ordered to surrender. This was done under the white flag. The arms were being collected when the Germans made a holt for the bush, and the British, under the white flag, were fired upon by natives posted in trees. Lieut. Kempt ordered them to cease firing, but it continued, and three British wore wounded, one fatally. A German

named Ritter and the native prisoners dashed for the bush, and the British fired, killing ten natives and Ritter. The rest escaped. The force advanced on the wireless station, and found seven whites and 25 natives, who surrendered without opposition, and the party returned to the ships. Most of the casualties of the attackers were caused by natives sniping from the trees. The accounts from New Guinea carry the operations to September 13, when Herhertshohe surrendered. The capital at Rahane was occupied on the 11th, and was found to have been largely deserted. The Union Jack was hoisted and a proclamation read notifying that the German Government had ceased to exist and exhorting the people to continue their peaceful occupations. The trdops marched through

the town. There was an impressive ceremony when 300 native people were taken over and sworn in. The health of the forces is excellent. It is stated that the seat of Government has been moved to Toma.

NEWSPAPER REPORTS. AUSTRALIANS EXPERIENCE SOME OF THE REAL THING. (Received 10.20 a.m.) Sydney, October 7. The “Daily Telegraph” account of the taking of the second trenches at the -Rabaul wireless station states: “Suddenly a German officer was seen approaching. Evidently he was unaware that the British occupied the trenches until winged by a shot, when he crawled back to cover, working his way to the rear trenches. He shouted something to the native prisoners and fired a revolver, killing one and wounding two of our men. The natives bolted fofr the bush, but only seven opt of 25 reached it. The nemainder were riddled with bullets. The German was also shot dead.” The Herald states that after the capture of the second trenches, Captain Travers and Lieutenant Bond, accompanied by Lieut. Kernpf, pushed forward alone to the wireless station and took possession. Later, a midshipman arriving with a detachartent, fired upon them from the jangle. The detachment fired a volley into the darkness, the bullets scattering among the huts where Travers and Bond were waiting. They sprang forward at an imminent risk, waving a lantern and shouting the password, and averted a second volley. When Herbertshohe was occupied much valuable property, arms and ammunition were found. In a deserted house a woman was found in a sick bed. A search disclosed that the mattress was stuffed with rifles. The expedition captured the small North German Lloyd steamer Herbertshohe, valued at £15,000.

CLEARING THE WAY. THE DECISIVE BLOW AND THE CAPITULATION. (Received 11.25 a.m.) Sydney, October 7. The Herald’s correspondent, in his narrative, states that previous to th» expedition’s arrival at Herbertshohe, the Government seat was removed to Toma, ton miles inland. Colonel Watson and two companies from the Berriraa were sent to strike a decisive blow, arranging with the warships to shell a series of positions in order to clear the way. The bombardment began at daybreak and the ships dropped shells right into the backyards of the positions marked out. The enemy retreated, destroying mines planted along the road. Later, the enemy’s troops were seen on a ridge, but two charges of shrapnel dispersed them. The Acting-Governor arrived at Herbertshohe next morning and capitulated.

“IN BRITISH HANDS,” (Received 11.25 a.m.) Sydney, October 7. The Herald, in a loader on Germany's colonies, says: “Samoa was not used for the benefit of anybody but Gorman officials. Australia and New Zealand [know 1 h"t f-’it—-'any muss be beaten, [even it the v.ar takes threo years. |With Germany beaten, Samoa and the rest would renain where they should ’"sti originally placsd-- in Br its ill