"BOOBY TRAPS."

Taihape Daily Times, 15 November 1918, Page 5

"BOOBY TRAPS."

-7' 7,- , A. HUN SPECIALITY. Thfi.Boche is-nothing if. not cunning, and when ■ compelled by force of circumstances to. retire “aeording to plan/ ’ as he has done, he does his best to render the evacuated area as unpleasant as possible for the incoming tenants by leaving in his wake delay action mines or * ‘ booby-traps. ” Those arc either timed by various subtle devices to explode automatically after the lapse of several days or even weeks or are so arranged 'that any incautious handling of the “bait” will fire the charge by the closing of an electric circuit. ) ,

Before our troops take \ip their permanent quarters however, detachments of Tunnellers, specially 'selected for the job, are sent forward to examine likely spots and report all safe for occupation. The wily Hun must have many a quiet chuckle over some of the souvenirs he leaves behind when handing over his comfortable dugouts to the enemy but "the best laid plans o' mice and men gang aft aglcy," and seldom docs a booby trap escarjc the keen eyes of the searchers. Here is a dug out entrance. Go gingerly down the stairway, for a loose step at the bottom may press the button that will cut you off for ever from the light of day; that shovel, too, carelessly left sticking out of the wall, is a favourite trap and needs careful handling. The stove is most conveniently laid ready for lighting, but look for an instantaneoiis fuse hidden in the chimney before attempting to cook your dinner at Fritz' 's expense.

Do not touch those artificial flowers lying on the table, if you value your life; for you may be quite sure that they are no sentimental peace offering. That spiked helmet hanging on the wall is very tempting, but you are too old a bird to be caught so easily; first cut the wires concealed behind it, and you can safely send it home to your wife. r>"U

All clear at last. Chalk u|> your trade-mark, and away to the nest -job' —a well furnished cellar required as battle quarters for the G.C.O. l n the corner, merrily ticking away stands an eight-day grandfather clock. It looks harmless enough, doesn't' it? But let a careless batman forget to wind it up' at the cna of the week,- and the unsus-

pecting general will be "mising, believed killed," for the weight'onreaching the floor will complete a fatal circuit.

It is a "low-down" form of wafrare, and being only effective in retreat, we have allowed the Boche the monopoly of it.