STUBBORN AUSTRALIANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 June 1917, Page 3

STUBBORN AUSTRALIANS.

FOUR WEEKS' FINE WORK. "STORM TROOPS - ' BftPrkSED. Commonwealth Official.—Copyright. British Headquarters, May l.'i. The Germans not even yet have ceased throwing themselves against the Australian position in the Hindenburg line. Two nights ago they made a small attack with about 100 men against the Victorians. The only result was that 10 Germans were lying dead amongst the craters in tho morning. Last night, from dusk onwards, the • German artillery -began to prepare an attack on a more considerable scalp. For hours he drenched our lines and support lines with gas shell and shell of every sort. *At dawn, on the heels of this severe bombardment, the Germans attacked. They brought up, specially for this, the ''storm troops - ' of the Second Guard Reserve, who had been resting in the back area. These penetrated the Australian centre for about 30yds in breadth and depth. The New South Wales troops, who were holding the trenches, counter-attacked, the heavy artillery first throwing a barrage behind the Germans, the Australians then attacking with bombs, trench mortars and bayonets. By eleven o'clock no living German remained in the trench, but 200 dead were counted, and the trench was entirely recaptured

At least 10 attacks have been made by the Oermans against the Australians. Australians may be intensely proud of this four weeks' fight. Never in the war have their countrymen shown more clearly the qualities of brilliant attack and stubborn resistance.

The meagre reference in the official communiques to the Australian operations are occasioning comment, especially regarding Bullecourt, where the Australians fought their greatest battle in the war. Mr. Fisher, lligh Commissioner for Australia, is making inquiries on the subject.