BIG BATTLE BLUFFS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 January 1917, Page 6

BIG BATTLE BLUFFS.

CLEVER RUSES TO DECEIVE ENEMIES. The secret evacuation of Suvla and Aruac by the Lnglisli army of occupation winter the very noses of the Turks--"(he bluff in war's history," aa it ha* not inaptly boon termed—bears a closo ip*,emblancc to the similar abamlonniwvt of tlie Redan by the Russians during the Crimean War. °

For months the heavy guns of the Trench and British had been pounding unavailing]}- at this exceedingly strong fortress. Twice thev had tried to storm it, only to be repulsed with great slaugliter. A third attack had iWn ordered"to take place on September 18, but on the early morning of that date, before daybreak, Corporal Ross; of-the Royal British Engineers, who was in charge of one of the advanced saps, noticing that the place was strangely still, crept forward to investigate.

He found the works' untenanted save by dead men and a few badly wounded, and hastened back to report to the British commander, who at first was frankly incredulous But investigation soon proved the truth of the plucky corporei'i statements The entire garrison had been quietly withdrawn under cover of darkness to the north forts, leaving the read to Sobastopol open. C Ross was awaided the Victoria Cross, and was known thenceforward throughout flu- British Army as "Redan Ross. - ' When the armie? of Napoleon were overrunning Europe, General . Massena, with 18,000 men, appeared suddenly before the Austrian town of Fcldkireii and demanded its surrender. Instead of complying the burgomaster issued ordens that the church bells were to be set ringing, and that, the burghers, their wives and daughters, clad in holiday atirt., were to assembl- in the market square and there ma!-" iiieirv.

The result we. exactly what ho had hoped for. Massena heard the sounds of of rejoicing, watched from the heights overlooking the town the gathering throngs in (he streets, and came to the conclusion that the townsfolk must have received intelligence that the Austrian army, which was believed to be somewhere in the vicinity, was marching to i.licir relief.

As to give battle there and then formed no part of Napoleon's genera' plan of action, Massena ordered a retreat. 'Fehlkirch was saved, and by a bluff, for as a matter of fact no relieving force was anywhere near at the lime.

A bluff that was eminently successful resulted in the F,arl of Peterborough securing possession of Barcelona in the C:ir!y part, of the eighteenth centurv.

The defences of the city were at that time exceedingly strong, Peterhoroai»;i had with him barely 3000 indifferentiyarmed troops and two small cannon. Halting his force some miles away in 'he hills. he rode forward, attended only bv a small escort bearing a flag of truce, and demanded an audience with tlu governor.

To liim the Earl explained that lie had been ordered to t.'ike the city by assault |ut being wishful to avoid useless blood/lied lie preferred to allow him to surrender it of his own free will. Incredible though it may seem, this most colossal of bluffs "came off,' - ' Th? governor, afler some parleying, agreed to acceot the British general's alternative.