WHIRLWIND CHARGE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1916, Page 6

WHIRLWIND CHARGE.

ANZACS AT WARLENCOURI MEN IM HIGHEST SPIRITS. British Headquarters, Nov. 14. At dawn this morning the Australians again attacked the Herman trenches near the bottom of the valley before Bapaurne, which they failed to take last week: The attack was made largely by the same troops. The charge came .oil the Germans like a whirlwind. The German troops in the .line were th£ Filth Grenadier Guard Regiment. Some of the prisoners told me afterwards that the vehemence of the Australian attack was overwhelming. They had nfei Australian troops near Mouquet Farm soir.c months back, and all said that the Australians have established a reputation among the Germans of attacking with outstanding dash. Nearly the whole of the trench attacked was taken, though one portion, which was fully manned and prepared, met the attack with a lire so heavy that it was impossible to roach it. » > London, November 17 The Australians were engaged in Wednesday's action at Warleneourt Hill. They assisted in the capture of 300 yards of enemy trenches. Australian wounded emphasise the difficulties of the present lighting, and say that the mud is indescribaDle. Wounded men are conveyed in jledges. One battalion was knee-deep in mud for five days, and when it came out there were numerous cases of trench feet. The Germans had laid barbed wire along the bottom of deep trenches, thereby multiplying the difficulties of ;apturing them. The Rev. H. V. Holden, Methodist chaplain-general to the Australians, has returned from,the front. He says the Australians are in the highest spirits, despite the mud. Many were extricated from the trenches by means of ropes attached to mules. • General Haig, chatting with him, referred in the highest terms to the gallantry of the Australians, particularly at .Pozieves R.dge and behind it, and at Fronielles. 1