A HARROWING PICTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1917, Page 8

A HARROWING PICTURE.

AN INCIDENT OF BATTLE FIELD. Among the effects of the late Ptc Cecil Hill, son of Mr.,and Mrs. W, Hill, Manaia, who was killed on the Western front, are one or two ,\var trophies of more than usual witness -(says the loeaJ Witness). It seems that on one of the occasions of night raiding on the enemy trenches in which he was concerned he encountered a German soldier whom lie killed. The rule oh the field is that in such cases the dead man is searched, chiefly with a view of securing any documentary or other information of value 011 enemy affairs. In this instance the vanquished German had among hi? possessions a pocket book or diary around which centre:! an interest that i- 1 at once both pathetic and tragic, and indeed also something of a sublime spirit of patriotism and self-sacrifice thac brings into a strong and bright light the attitude of the German woman towards tiio present war. In the pocket book in question is an identity card, not a metal disc such as our soldiers wear, but a small square of tough cardboard. On this is tin' jAame, regimental number and unit —sth Battalion Reserve Infantry Regiment. Inserted in a pagi? of the diary is a photo, of his wife and three young children, two girls and a boy, and on the 1 opposite page a communication from U'? wife of so tender and private a nature as to preclude its publication. There is also another letter from his wife, which may be published, a letter suffused with the kin ! of noble sentiment that we associa'.c with the wives and mothers of Sparta. The following is a translation: — "Tired and suffering, the one thought of you wife is for you. For you alone shS Jives, she is with you always and wouliJ g' ve ' ler life\o make your burden easier. When in great peril, remember that there is a God, and pray to Him, remembering -that He alone can help you. Have couraget For the honor of your Fatherland demands the best of you, as also do those whom you have left behind vou." In this brief picture we have a harrowing picture of the savagery of war—, the anguished wife and mother in Germany, and in this remote corner of the world, the parents sorrowing for their |t ,brave young son.