LIKE A TEAM OF DEVILS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 9 May 1917, Page 3

LIKE A TEAM OF DEVILS

TANKS AND JOCKS CHARGE.

"TURNED ON ALL OUR TAPS.".

"Our tank was with the Black Watch and with a battalion of the regiment we went through some of the roughest fighting there has been out here since the push began" (writes a non-commis-sioned officer in describing his adventures in a tank on the Western front). ''As is always the case when the tank changed its battalion, it had to change its name, and while it was with the Black Watch it was known as the "Tayside Teaser."

"One shell-hole has been so enlarged by repeated explosions that it was as big as a gigantic quarry hole at home, and when the 'Teaser' disappeared into it in the full view of the enemy trenches Fritz, Hans and Co. let up a great cheer, they were so pleased with themselves. Then they came rushing over to the lip if the crater to enjoy the jcheat our expense. When they got over it was to see the 'Teaser' quietly working its way up the other side, and getting ready to tackle the enemy. You can imagine Fritz, was frightened. As soon as we got to the other side we turned on all our taps, and squirted out bullets at the enemy until we had put him to flight. Then we got to easier ground, and were able to go after Frit/, with full steam.

"The foe ran as though a team of devils were after them, and the faster they ran the more furious was the fire we sent after them. The 'Teaser' made a sudden swerve to the right, and actually managed to cut off the running Huns from their own trenches. Too late they saw what had happened, and they tried to force a way past us. The 'Teaser' let them have a broadside into them, and that- put an end to their hope of passing us. They ran back to find another way into their trenches, and then the Black Watch lads arrived to lend a hand.

"Tank and Highlanders swept forward side by side, the soldiers calling, at the top of their voices 'Scotland for Even,' and occasionally stopping to cheer the tank. We went straight for the enemy's parapet, and the first stretch of barbed wire went down before our onrush as though it had been merely strands of cotton wool across our path. We got through at express speed and took up a position from which we were able to enfilade the trench from two different directions. Under cover of our fire the infantry advanced."