WAR NOTES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 28 May 1917, Page 7

WAR NOTES

IN THE THICK OF IT.

Private E. O. Armstrong, a Manning River (N.S.W.) farmer, who has lost the use of his left arm, the result of machine gun fire, considers that France would be an excellent place for a farmer. “You see,” he added, “the ground is already ploughed by shell fire, and all one would have to do would be to plant the seed. It’s a great place. It is rather a peculiar coincidence that nearly all the charges took place on a Sunday, and in nearly every instance it was dusk before we started. There were many acts of bravery performed, but in consequence of the darkness only those in the near vicinity witnessed them, and the fellows are far too modest to say anything about their deeds. The Germans do not like the Australians, and generally it was rather an easy matter to take the first line of trenches. After that, however, it was hell. The Australians are in the thick of it, and that is what they like. They glory in it.”

A BRAVE FRENCH OFFICER. While the fighting around Mort Homme was at its hottest Major Dubois, in charge of a French battalion, ■was cut off from his men. He fought his way back to his own lines. His uniform was in tatters, both legs were injured, his face was gashed and bleeding, and his left shoulder was smashed. He rallied his men and led them in a charge. He was again wounded, this time in the chest, and was taken to the hospital. Refusing to allow an anaesthetic to be administered, he had an operation performed on him, all the time singing the “Marseilles” so as to cheer up other wounded soldiers. The general commanding the unit heard of what had been done, and, visiting the hospital, took the Cross of the Legion of Honour from his own uniform and pinned it on the brave officer’s breast.