OUR BOYS IN FRANCE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 8, Issue 114, 16 May 1916, Page 3

OUR BOYS IN FRANCE.

ANZACS’ HEART DESIRE,

LONDON, May 13

The “Morning Post” correspondent at the British Headquarters says the Anzacs did not have to wait long to blood their steel on real Germans. They achieved their heart’s desire on the night of the 7th. A Plun reconnoitring party, armed with bombs, tried to get a glimpse of the trenches. In such cases one of two things is usual; the men either stick to the trenches, suffer casualties from bombs, cr clear out, allowing the enemy to obtain the information desired. The Anzacs took a middle course. They sprang out of a trench and met the bombers in nc man’s land. A very pretty fight followed. The Germans, seeing the party hard pressed, sent up supports, and the Australasians did likewise, until the Anzacs drove back tips raiders, who had substantial losses in killed and wounded. It wag a new thing and pleased the Anzacs immensely.

WARM TRIBUTE TO ANZACS. LONDON, May 13. Since the Anzacs landed no time has been lost in getting them liack to the firing line. They may take it as a compliment that they have been given one of the most famous sectors on the .front, where vigilance and all soldierly qualities are constantly needed. The Anzacs are one of the most useful contingents that have ever come cut owing to their preliminary training in the severest kind of warfare. It is no wonder such tempered metal was utilised almost immediately, but the Anzacs have some-

thing to learn before they are thoroughly adapted to the kind of fighting encountered in France, the profusion of heavy artillery and the multitude of deadly trench weapons being more or less a novelty. Above all, the Anzacs are busy learning the Huns’ tricks. All agree that the Turk is a gentleman, but they had experience of the tactics of ■' more cultured “Fritz.” As a General said, the Anzac is not naturally a tricky fighter, though trained in the art of war, knowing, like a sportsman hew to take cover. His chief preference is for a vigorous rough and tumble stand-up fight in the open. The Anzacs have a high standard of musketry and they have excellent snipers. The latter have already done good work, having inflicted many casualties. The snipers make it a point of honour never to report a hit unless absolutely sure. The Anzacs have made fighting a business. They work hard- j est at putting the defences in superfine order. Experiences on Gallipoli { have made them fastidious regarding trenches. They have constructed won- I derfully broad and deep communion- ! ticn trenches on the hillsides and underground galleries and trenches, sometimes 30 feet deep, necessitating stairways to reach the firing platforms. Water, too is abundant, but the Anzacs’ enthusiasm has not been damped. They are delighted with -.heir billets —real beds and furniture, even hot baths, of which full use is made.

Horse transport is a welcome change after mule packs. Recollection of the hard times in Gallipoli serves to stimulate the Anzacs’ hearty enthusiasm.