FRENCH TROOPS ARRIVE.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1918, Page 2

FRENCH TROOPS ARRIVE.

SCENE IN FLANDERS WELCOME BY THE BRITISH. London, April 24. The arrival of French supports in Flanders is regarded as most important. These troops are described as splendid, seasoned men. The sight of the long blue lines marching up the roads rejoiced the British, giving them a fresh sense of security, and the news of the French aggressive stroke south of Amiens still further heartened the anxious home watchers.

Reviewing the battle-worn Frenchmen to-day, M. Clemenceau was visibly moved when their achievement was recounted. The cordiality between the French and British is hardly deseribabl". The armies have fused into a united whole, and are thrilled to almost romantic enthusiasm. The French are ready to instantly help at any time or take any risk. As an instance, a party was sent out at night to rescue an isolated British subaltern and 12 men. They were found, all dead, surrounded by 50 German corpses. Said the officer, "Mon Dieu! but they fought!'' There was nothing finer than the promptitude with which the French appear wherever they are most needed. The spirit of comradeship between the two armies is admirable.

Nothing impresses one more than on entering a group of farm buildings (the divisional headquarters) to see the staffs of the British and French, divisions working in the same bam. Behind, on the ground, huddled in chairs, lay the British officers asleep, after making reports of five days' continuous fighting. The sight made one realise what the Anglo-French alliance really means.