BEHIND THE LINES.

Taihape Daily Times, 8 April 1919, Page 6

BEHIND THE LINES.

SEVEN THOUSAND AEKOPLANES. o— — FIGHTING LIKE IXFANTET. Mr F. W. Haybittle. who has been engaged in Red Cross work behind the lines in France as a motor driver for the last four years, was entertaiutaiucd by the members of the Wellington Bowling Club at the club's pavilion on Saturday evening. Tn the course of the evening Mr Haybittle cave an illuminative bird's-eye view of the great campaign, making it vital with many little stories descriptive of incidents of the war. After a description of the big German offensive of March, 1918. he related graphically how General Sir Hugh Cough's army met with disaster, when 60,000 British were completely overwhelmed. This left a breach of seven miles of the line practically open.- The news was communicated to General Haig, who communicated with BrigadierGeneral Trencharld. The latter summoned some 700 Q aeroplanes, fighting like infantry in the air with their machine guns. Of the 7000 machines that went into action only 4900 came out, but they held the line by flying from 50 to 200 yards high and firing into the oncoming Hun hordes. This action saved the railhead, wTiere they had immense stores for two armies, including one store with 200,000 motor tyres., Mr Haybittle paid a wonderful tribute to the valour of the British troops under all circumstances, and read, some cases of brave men who had won the V.C, performing feats cf deathless heroism. He paid a tribute to the Canadians, who put up a wonderful defence at Vimy, right out in the front, and amazingly fortified). Then /the fbig advance frobk place, and they went forward, always in the front. It was the Canadians who were the first to enter Lille, Douai. Tureoing, Valenciennes, and finally historic Mons. Mr Haybittle was in Lille three days after it was retaken. He was going en to Mons after its capture when the chassis of the ear cracked. Fortunately a travelling A.S.C. garage came along, and the clever mechanics clamped the crack with two pieces of wood, and as they could take no further risks they retraced their course right back to Etaples—and the clamp held good. On the way back they paid a visit to the field of Agineourt, and j on the spot they 'drank to the memory of Henry V.. who had performed such ! feats of valour for Old England.