WESTERN FRONT.

Taihape Daily Times, 17 October 1917, Page 5

WESTERN FRONT.

THE ANZAG RETIREMENT NEW ZEALAND GALLANTRY. 1 < REMEMBER GALLIPOLI. " LONDON, October 15. Mr Keith Murdoch, special correspondent of the " Sydney' Sun," writing on Saturday last, says: "In drenching rain the Australian and New Zealand- 1 troops clung throughout a night and day to their poor lines of shellholes. The Australians had retired at dusk from most of the foremost posts captured in yesterday's offensive. They had been mercilessly sniped and ma-chine-gunned from spurs parallel to theirs, while batteries of field guns brought, within 400 yards of their new position, rained shrapnel, and the positions became untenable. The men were gradually withdrawn. They brought in what wounded could be collected but were now sadly depleted in numbers." Mr. Murdoch refers to the terrible, sodden, muddy condition of the battlefield, and as an example instances a number of cases of fatigued men who fell, into shell-holes, and being unable to rise were smothered. A party of Germans advancing across a bog came under fire, and were left standing upright in the mud. "My observations," he continues, "included marshy land under the Bellevue Spur over which the New Zealandcrs waMantly fidvanced. To less heroic troops the feat would have been impossible. During the heights of the battle a brigadier, replying to his colonel's pica for reinforcements which were not available sent the historic message, "Remember the story.of Gallipoli.'' Another correspondent, describing the Australians' advance towards the' village of Passchcndaele says: "Men on the ,left then came under strong machine gun fire from the left flank. This is explained by the fact that the New Zealanders had been held up by uncut wire, and a nest of machine guns in a strong redoubt called Bellevuc, thereby enabling the Germans to pour a direct and enfilading fire into the Australians. We pushed' ahead, though many fell. Meanwhile the New Zealanders, with the utmost gallantry, despite great sacrifice, retired to break a way through the spur defences, which on Tuesday had similarly held up the British troops. The New Zealanders gained a useful three hundred yards, but their most gallant efforts, though full ( of noble sacrifices, did not succeed. It is not unusual to meet uncut wire in such attacks, but it was specially difficult to-day, because the weather made rapid advance behind the barrage most difficult, giving the Germans time to get out machine-guns after the barrage had passed.

SNIPERS MURDER RED CROSS BEARERS. INSPIRING BEHAVIOUR OF COLONIALS. ; LONDON, October 15. The Australian Press Association corespondent at Headquarters writes The artillery on both sides is most active in the bog areas behind the lines It is inspiring to see the New Zealand and Australian artillerymen with field guns urging splendid horses through a sea of mud. despite shell bursts. The poor beasts are sometimes caught in the bog, shooting them being the only solution. The Anzacs are doing wonders in getting up food and ammunition in view of the possibility of counter-attacks. The stretcher-bearers worked manfully throughout the night. At one time it was necessary to call volunteers to man the stretchers. Several New' Zealanders thus employed were wounded owing to the German snipers. The New Zealanders Were intensely indignant when four'were thus wounded at one point within a few minutes. The New Zealanders initiated stern retaliatory measures, which were speedily effective. By mid-day practically all the New Zealand and Australian wounded were brought in. Describing the Anzacs' present position, the correspondent says: The enemy still hold Bellevue at the southwestern end, although the New Zealanders are closing in on Wolf Copse, which marks their maximum advance. The New Zealanders arc still in great fighting trim They are impatient bea halt before all their final objectives >causc the appalling weather compelled were taken. BADGES OF HONOUR LONDON, Oct 15. The Press Bureau says: The War Office in 1914 issued a blue chevron to' those who entered subsequently with an additional blue chevron for each year of service. This ensures a special distinctive mark to those whoserved in the overseas war theatres. ...