THE ANZACS IN FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1916, Page 2

THE ANZACS IN FRANCE.

LIVELY GUNNERY. Wellington, Wednesday. The following special despatch has been received from the New Zealand Official War Correspondent (Mr. Malcolm Ross); — t June 1. 'There has recently been slightly more activity on the few miles of British sector at present held by the .New Zealanders, our artillery having stirred the enemy up on several occasions recently. Our guns put 300 18-pounder and howitzer shells on the German position in forty seconds. Subsequently we fired another 300 upon the German tenches in four minutes. The shooting was excellent, the enemy's wire being cut, and the trenches badly damaged. This afforded a fine spectacular effect, enabling us to realise what a continued intensive bombardment over a larger area would be like. The enemy retaliated on our trenches, and searched unsuccessfully for our gun emplacements. Later they sent with great rapidity several high-explosive shells into the town behind us, killing a child and wounding a few civilians and soldiers. Our guns promptly retaliated.

"The same day the Germans determinedly shelled a church in the town and a building, igniting the former. An aide to the Governor, with a small band of 'New Zealanders, acting as a fire brigade, extinguished the flames in the face of some unexploded shells remaining in the building. A great portion of the town has been for some months in ruins, but several shops remain open, and a large number of dwellings are still occupied by civilians. The neighboring suburb has been almost totally destroyed, but occasionally is still furiously shelled by the enemy. A fewinhabitants remain in the damaged shops and houses. Thev present a pathetic sight. Yet one old womn.ll pluckily keeps an establishment open in a badly-damaged building.

"Our men in the firing-line make periodic night forays between the trenches, and occasionally meet opposing patrols. A southern member of Parliament recently led a night patrol up to the enemy's wire, and another member, with two lieutenants, has been busy with his company in the firing-line. The men who arc out of the trenches are industriously training, there being much that is new to learn. During several visits to the firing-line I found them well satisfied; the sick and the wounded are well looked after, the arrangements being excellent.'