AUSTRALIAN'S EXPLOIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1918, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN'S EXPLOIT.

THROUGH THE ENEMY'S LINE. STAFF OFFICERS CAPTURED. West Front, May 8. .To-day was the anniversary of the second battle of Bullecourt. Australians were engaged in a heavy minor light before Villers-Bretonneujc, which resulted in such gallant achievements that they will add to the already splendid tradition of the grand battalion, a portion of which made the attacking force. This small assault was made early thi3 morning in conjunction with the French, side by side with whom our men have fought lately in many struggles which will live for ever in the history of both nations. Half a mile south-east of the town :s a monument, beyond which is a small chateau in a garden or small wood. A West Australian commander was in charge of operations, and portions of his own West and South Australian Battalion made the attack, which was exceedingly difficult to launch in the complete darkness. The troops—both Australian and French—were met at the outset by a perfect hurricane of macliine-gun fire. A German officer who was captured states that over 150 machine-guns and 1200 men were holding a small sector which we attacked. Terrific fire, swept across the French and Australian flanks, but, despite this, tho South and West Australians swept beyond the monument, beyond the wood, and beyond the chateau. They were now getting near to the German headquarters behind the line, and the first thing the enemy battalion staff in a cellar knew was that an Australian was standing on the steps throwing down a heavy bomb. One staff officer jumped behind a brick buttress; the bomb burst, and several officers and 29 men out of 25 that comprised the headquarters staff were taken prisoners. PRISONERS BROUGHT BACK. Meanwhile, the troops ahead had pushed through over the second and third trenches in this bristling strongpoint to a German trench on the farther edge of the wood, fteavy fighting was going on on both flanks and behind. Bodies of Germans were, seen moving up in a, direction cut them off. The troops were ordered to retire through the wood, whilst firing on the advancing Germans. One body of Germans was dispersed, and the Australians sent back a number of prisoners. Part of the attacking troops were farced back, while others were still holding one part of the position captured. The Germans at the present moment arc massing against, these. Our guns have opened heavily upon a German counter-attack, but, even if unable to retain the position in tho German line, this feat of the South Australian battalion in penetrating clean through the centre of the German position and bringing back staff officers and ether prisoners through the midst of terrific lighting is an achievement of extraordinary gallantry. One German officer whom they captured had already been captured at Vimv, but had been re-taken by the German counter-attack. He said: "You Australians have been deceiving us very cleverly. We knew you had many more divisions her? than you pretend. You can't make me believe there are only five." THE ATTACK FURTHER NORTH. Australians made this advance beside the French early this morning, near Metcren. Australians wete not involved in tlie heavy fighting of April 29. That great attacK came nut against the French and Briiish further north. There seems little doubt that it was the heaviest repulsa the Germans have met sime the offensive started After a heavy day's fighting. In which some thirteen German divisions wnc engaged, the British line had not giv;n a foot, and the French had bean driven only from one position of value, which was regained by a counter-attack. Visiting the nc-.th today one found everywhere the men's spirit very ches'.'ful, wit.li the results cf that battle.' Tlie. Australians there had not been involved in heavy fighting since the first week of their arrival in ilie north, but they were constantly bombarding and sniping the Gerin ins The weather at the front is now splendid, but even when '.iving in the cold and rain during the recent fighting tin spirits of the Australians have been splendid. One Australian division's snipers during a short period in the line shot 130 Germans during their ordinary occupation in the trenches. It is claimed lliat this number only included those who were seen to tall by at least three observers.