In the West

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 100, 24 November 1916, Page 5

In the West

NEW INFANTRY WARFARE,

WORK OF'+HE "SPECIALISTS."

RIFLES AND BAYONETS GO OUT

OF FASHION.

Press Association—Copyngnt. Reuter's Telegrams (Received 9.10 a7m.) London, November 23. The new infantry tactics, whereby fewer men are employed, having much more power and being. fully armed,, is described by Router's representative at the French headquarters. "Ho says: Hand grenades, rifle grenades, and machine-gun rifles are largely displacing rifles and' bayonets as the main weapons. The users of the new weapons are called' "Specialists." Demonstration showed that the hand grenadiers are trained in groups and 'combine like a football team. They are interspersed with.** voltigeurs (or leapers), who are men armed in suitable and whose duty it is to protect at close quarters and clear the way for difficult movements. These methods make ' greater demands upon the intelligence and initiative of the men, especially where waves of assault are necessary, and when speed and combination are of essential importance. Demonstration showed that the attacking line is able to bring a terrific impassable - fire to bear. Equally convincing ,is T*the lesson in the art of smothering places where the enemy in groups are holding out after the wings have been driven back. The-.value of the new tactics is evidenced by the fact that the French; have had fewer casualties during the first/ four months of the Somme offensive than in a few days' fighting in the Champagne last year. Furthermore the casualties in the advance south of the Somme at the recapture of Douaumont and Thiaumont were well under half the number of the prisoners taken. The new methods are also being taught to the artillery and engineers.

AUSTRALIANS AS SOLDIERS.

WAR CORRESPONDENT'S TRIBUTE,

STAND OUT ON THEIR OWN!

Press Association— Copyright, Auscia lian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 9.35 a.m.) New York, November 23. y* Mr Frederick Palmer, war . correspondent, expresses unstinted admiration for the. Australian soldiers. In an interview with the Australian Press Association,' he said: "I have seen soldiers throughout the world, but never anything like the Australians. Advancing to the attack, they impressed one as being the finest soldiers ever seen on a battlefield. The world does not yet realise the greatness of the feat in their capture, of Pozieres ridge, which was due to the Australians' dash and tenacity. The Australians won a world-name at Gallipoli, but a new and greater test awaited them in France, where they were pitied against Germany's best; vet they entered the fight smilingly and with unwavering confidence. The result the world knows. I am interested i» individual Australians, who are of a distinct type, courageous and unflinching in danger, and dashing and amazing in initiative and

resourcefulness. While not underestimating the' magnificent heroes at the front, I say, that the Australians stand out in adaptability and general, intelligence." '• ; "The Australians do not ,show,, un r .,, thinking courage,;, They |, are clear--, brained, capable, ; .and conscious 0f,,, the seemingly unequal conflict of the, newly-trained being pitted against Germany's super-drilled legions. Not only have they accepted the challenge but they have forced the issue and have gloriously triumphed. Originally, it was difficult to restrain them when they reached the objective, but they are rapidly learning the necessity of discipline and the futility of one section outpacing the line: This light curb of discipline is moulding them into perfect soldiers. I W as forcibly struck with the Australians' early insistence on equality among, the privates and .officers. This is typical of the grand, free, independent spirit of the Colonies, but it is now understood that the officers must be paid formal respect and they are becoming adept at saluting. The Australians' democratic ideals aro leavening the English Tommies, and 1 I predict as the r.sult, that there mil be a striking gmwrlv of the democratic spirit in England, aftei' the war."

MUCH ENEMY SHELLING. Press Association—Copyright, Austra. lian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received 11.5 a.m.) London, November -23. General Haig reports: The enemy shelled our new front last night, and both sides of the Ancre and in the neighbourhood of Hobuterne. AERIAL ACTIVITY ON THE SOMME. % Press Assn,—Copyright.—Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn., and lleuter. London, November 23. A French communique states : Only .aerial activity is reported. VVe dropped many bombs on the" stations and bivouacs on the Somme. Guy Nemor downed his twenty-second machine. AN AUSTRALIAN CAMERA-MAN. Press Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cable Association (Received 11.50 a.m.) The Commonwealth lias appointed an official photographer with the Australian Forces on the West front.