AUSTRALIA'S SONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1918, Page 8

AUSTRALIA'S SONS.

ARRIVAL AT DERNANCOURT ] ONE OP WAR'S GREATEST RECORDS. I LOXDON, April 12. i The Australians gallant stand at the I battle of Dernancourt is widely acclaimed. They fought gTeat masses to a standstill. The "Manchester Guardian." says: "They have established another of the war's greatest records." Australians from the front hold the general convictions that Amiens is saved. Certain divisions there hold a record as glorious as any forces in history. Arrivir-j after long and trying journeys and unrested, they were r in alongside the British whereever the positions were most critical, plugging the worst gaps, stopping the Germans onrush, not conceding an inch except at a point where they were literally blown out by artiliery. The officers there seemed overwhelmed with horror at their inability to hold up the enemy's masses, supported by a terTible weight of machine-guns and artillery, whilst the Tommies were dulled by lack of sleep and sore and weary in every bone and muscle.

NEW DRAFTS FIGHT WELL The Britishers' joyous welcome of the Australians was pathetic. An artillery major rushed up and emotionally embraced the Australian commander, saying, "Thank God you've come." The major was reassured and heroically .swung back his gun, promising the Australians every shell available. Indefinite news as to the line compelled the Australians to advance v until the scouts contracted with the enemy. Then the likeliest positions available were taken up. Commanders say that the latest drafts from Australia acquitted themselves equally with the veterans. A captain from Sydney said, "With another three Australian divisions we would break the back of their salient." Officers generally are anxious about reinforcements. All agree that the Dernancourt barrage was the heaviest experienced, including a lot of low-burst-ing British shrapnel. Non-combatants including cooks and quarter-masters, rushed into the line at Dernancourt and Brettoneux, fighting heroically. THEIR LAST STAND.

Two companies of a' New South Wales battalion carried out a dashing engagement an hour after relieving other Australians. About 300 Germans emerged from a wood, charging through the undergrowth. The Australians poured in bullets and then rushed them with the bayonets. The Germans soon fled, leaving 70 dead and 100 prisoners. The Australians lost 30 killed. A Sydney officer states that a New South Wales sergeant and six men bravely established an outpost. The sergeant was wounded in the chest. He reported that the Huns were gathering. Before anything coflld be done the Huns charged in great numbers. After ha:lf an hour's, intense fighting they overpowered the post, the men dying round their machine-gun. An Australian flying squadron evacuated an aerodrome the night before a shell destroyed everything, ■ wounding ; four men left as a guard. The Australians speak encouragingly regarding the security of the southern .line, and of the excellence of the American officers.