MAORIS AT THE FRONT.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1915, Page 6

MAORIS AT THE FRONT.

LIFE IN THE TRENCHES. LIEUTENANT TIKAO'S EXPERIENCES, One of the most popular officers in the First Maori Contingent is Lieutenant J. C. Tikao, of Rapaki Pa, Lyttelton. On leaving New Zealand Lieutenant Tikao was second lieutenant, but on arrival in Egypt he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. In the course of a letter to a friend at Rapaki, Lieutenant Tikao gives an interesting account of his experiences in the firing line. Under date July IS he says—"l can assure you the papers are welcomed and it is quite a treat to hear of local happenings when one is away from home. I am missing quite a lot of fun at carnivals, etc., but I hope I will make up for it if I am spared to come home.

"I can assure you things are only middling with us here. We have been in the line a fortnight, and at first the whizz of bullets and shrapnel gives you a queer feeling, but after a while you take little notice of them useless they are landing rather close. Of course, tRe game now is trench fighting, which, at times, is rather quiet. It is the nights that we get it musical. During the day it is quiet in the trenches. As I am writing a few shells are screaming over us. They make quite a weird sound when travelling in the air—a combination of screeching, screaming and whistling—you never know when they are going to burst, and it makes, one feel queer when they are flying about overhead. 'Our place of abode is not the best, but we .ire-.all contented. It is quite a sight to see the warships bombarding, especially when they fire a broadside. It is a treat at night. The flashes light up the whole place for miles, and the boom of the guns almost makes one sit immediately down. If the object fired at is a trenth our machine guns and rifle open fire as soon as the Turks run out from their places. Up till now our boys baVfr-not taken part in anything extra great—a charge for instance. My platoon of southern boys started tile ball rolling as far ar, the Maori Contingent was concerned. We took up a position the other night in the first line of trenches, not more than eighty yards from the enemy, but nothing great happened. We were there all night, and at times blazing away for all we were worth. Next morning we were relieved by some pakehas, and then retired to breakfast with greatly swelled heads and chests and empty stomachs. At any rate we were the first to tackle the enemy." Writing later Lieutenant Tikao says: —"I have just returned from a line of trenches which we and some Australians are holding. In company with two other officers, one of whom was an Australian, we were doing some sniping from our trenches by the aid of a periscope. The enemy was also sniping at us. After about half an hour had elapsed, we spotted some Turks, and we all had our glasses on them while some were shooting. Suddenly I heard a thud, and looking down I saw the Australian officer lying in the trench, Bhot through the head. Already we have had many narrow escapes. Yesterday while returning from a swim I stood talking to a pakeha, and immediately behind me another chap came'along and spoke to the same pakcha. He was standing in exactly the same spot where I had previously stood, and was bowled over with one through the head. I had only left the place a few seconds. So far we have had only two casualties, and those slight wounds. I could continue writing for hours, but the censor compels us to draw the line. "Another great sight is watching our aeroplanes being potted at by the enemy's big guns. These aerial chaps seem' to take no notice of shrapnel. This morning no fewer than fifty shots were fired at two machines, which were flying above us, but the majority of the shots went wide. The aeroplane fellows just went oh with the game as if it was a joy ride. Another pne of our aeroplanes is now'hovering over a warship, observing for her while she fires a broadside or two on a plateau where the enemy is preparing to mount guns. I don't think there will be much left when she is finished. (.!]•) above tlic-rc is also a balloon which is also attached to. the warship, and is giving the range. Our warships are always handy to us, and are our main protection. Have just had dinner, —two dry biscuits and tea, but no milk or sugar.' Although the game is a risky one, we are undergoing, a great experience, which is well worth coming for, if one has the luck to get home again. Don't make mountains out of this news, as it is only a trifle to what is happening to others who are in the real scrapping."