IN THE WEST

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1915, Page 5

IN THE WEST

THE BATTLE OF HOOCE. REMARKABLE CO-OPERATIOX. A NUMBER OP HEROIC DEEDS. Received August 22, 2 p.m. London, August 20. Reuter's agent at British headquarters stresses the wonderful co-operation of the British infantry and artillery at the Hooge. Whenever a battalion was hard pressed a telephoned request for a. battery brought immediate relief. The Infantry implicitly trusted the gunners, knowing that a minute's error would mean death, aa they dashed forward in short rushes. Their trust was justified, the shellfire being timed with wonderful accuracy in advance of each rush. It was natural that, under the enemy's bombardment, messages sometimes mis-1 carried, the wires being cut, orderlies shot down, and signalling being impossible owing to the dust. In one instance a company had not received order s to evacuate a section of trench which was heavily shelled, and hung on till Monday night, waterless and completely cut off, sheltering at the bottom of the trench during an intensive all-night bombardment. The lieutenant insisted on commanding his men, though severely wounded in the shoulder and leg, and besides had his jaw broken. another instance a colonel wa3 surprised to receive messages from a lancecorporal, stating that he and twentyfive men were holding stables, which were being heavily shelled and tumbling about their cars. He did not ask for reinforcements, hut each time his message requested that more bombs be sent. They remained in this inferno all night long, and then safely retired. After the attack on Hooge had succeeded, the work of consolidation began under raking shrapnel and high explosives, wherein it seemed impossible for men to live. The shelling lasted all day long, but the men held on with splendid tenacity. Regiments that retired to the rear to rest were cheerful, despite their experiences. The fight at close quarters

had a wonderfully invigorating effect on the men, who were keen for more. PLUCKY GERMAN AVIATOR. CHEERED BY BRITISH TROOPS. Received August 22, 4 p.m. London, August 2'. British officers in a la tost British aeroplane pursued a Taube, igniting it. The German observer fell out, and the pilot planed upside down towards the German lilies. His rudder was destroyed, but Jie p.aned ahead of the British troops, who cheered him. When forty feet from the ground the pilot jumped and was killed.