STUBBORN AUSTRALIANS

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 31 May 1917, Page 6

STUBBORN AUSTRALIANS

FOUR WEEKS’ FINE WORK,

“STORM TROOPS” REPULSED

Brtish Headquarters, May 15,

The Germans not even yet have ceased throwing themselves against the Aus tralian position in the Hindenburg line. Two nights ago they made a small attack with about 100 men against the Victorians. The only result was that 10 Germans were lying dead amongst the craters in the morning. , w _ Last night, from dusk onwards, the German artillery began to prepare' an attack on a more considerable scale. For hours he drenched our lines and support lines with gash shell and shell of every |ort. At dawn, on the heels of this severe bombardment, the Gci'- ; mans attacked. They brought up, specially for this, the “storm troops” of the Second Guard Reserve, wdio had been resting in the back area. These penetrated the Australian centre for about 30 yards in breadth and depth. The New South Wales troops, who were holding the trenches, counter-attacked, the heavy artillery first .-throwing a barrage behind the Germans, thq Australians then attacking with bombs, trench mortars and bayonets. By eleven o’clock no living German remained in the trench, but 200 dead were counted, and the trench was entirely recaptured. At least 10 attacks have been made by the Germans against, the Australians. Australians may be intensely proud of this four weeks’ fight. Never in the war have their countrymen shown more clearly the qualities of brilliant attack and stubborn resistance. The meagre reference in the official communiques to the Australian operations arc occasioning comment, especially regarding Bullecourt, where the Australians fought their greatest battle in the Avar. Mr Fisher, High Commissioner for Australia, is making inquiries on the subject