FORTIFIED WITH LIQUOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1918, Page 5

FORTIFIED WITH LIQUOR.

GERMAN RAIDERS MEET THEIR DEATH. Received March 18, 7.50 p.m. London, March 17. Mr. Oilmour, the Australian press correspondent, describing the recent raid upon the Australian trenches, wherein the Germans were badly worsted, writes that a regiment was promised rewards for undertaking the raid. 750 marks were to be paid for each captured machine gun, corporals were to be promoted sergeants, and all officers were to receive the Iron Cross. The former raid was such a failure that none volunteered on the present occasion. Those selected stipulated for a generous amount of liquor before going forward, with the result that many were noisy, and some helplessly drunk. Four non-coms., advancing as wirecutters, were incapable of the task. Xhs beard the bolster-

ous crew assembling, and waited, livery gun was trained upon the spot. The moment the Germans appeared, they met with a terrific rush of machine-gun bullets. Oflicers were unable to control the fuddled men, who from the start were dazed. The raiders blundered straight ahead to their death. A prisoner declared that no other of his eighteen companions survived.

ARTILLERY ACTIVITY. Received March 18, 10.35 p.m. London, March IS. A Belgian communique states: During the past two days artillery activity has been particually intense in the districts of Nieuport, Dixmude, and .Merckem. The enemy is continuing to fire quantities of gas shells, we replying similarly.

BELGIANS TAKE OVER COAST SECTOR. Reuter Service. Received March 18, 11.50 p.m. London, March 17. British headquarters has announced that Belgian troops are now holding the former British sector on the coast.