THE AUSTRALIANS.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 11 April 1917, Page 6

THE AUSTRALIANS.

THEIR WORK AT BAPATJME. GENERAL BIRHWOOD'S PRAISE. LONDON, March 22. The Eight Australian Brigade was first into Bapaume, the Second and Fifth Divisions following. TheTe is great enthusiasm. Other divisions are jealous, but happy. General Bird wood writes:— " Since June the eyes of the whole British force has been fixed on Bapaume, and therefore it an enormous satisfaction for the Anzacs to capture It The men have been simply Al throughout. They kept constant and unrelenting pressure on the Germans all round the front with the best results. They are as keen as mustard,! and difficult to restrain, but we have driven the enemy bach without rashness, suffervery little loss. The appalling state in which the Germans left Bapaume and other villages is hardly conceivable, and it is an object lesson as to what would happen if they obtained a footing in England or Australia. There is no roof left anywhere, and houses, sheds and churches were blown up. The Australians are now far ahead, and have occupied 20 villages. The German prisoners wer.3 as happy about the retreat because they were told that they were being withdrawn to higher ground from the horrible boggy country; but now, owing to the morale of the retreating army,, our boys are convinced that they will get to Berlin."