THE AUSTRALIANS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1918, Page 2

THE AUSTRALIANS.

IiRAVK TRADITIONS UPHELD. . HEROIC ENGINEERS. , London, July 2'. Tiw Australian infantry ontlieSommc is showiug no weariness, despite a very lengthy occupancy of the trenches. Men on furlough state that a general impression is growing that the enemy is depressed by the constant harassing of the Australian artillery, which bombards him ceaselessly, causing havoc in his back lines, breaking up work parties, and allowing no rests day or night. Tha Germans reply half-heartedly and at random owing to the paucity of aerial direction. The Boche aeroplane is the rarest bird nowadays, -while the (British and Australians fly over the enemy lines in droves. "The newest recruits are keeping up the glorious traditions of tha Fourth Brigade, the members of which, have won over a thousand decorations, including four Victoria Crosses and 500 Military Medals," said' Colonel Brand, interviewed in London. INSTANCES OF HEROISM. "A recent successful night operation was carried out by a unit composed of 50 per cent of recruits from Western Australia. These attacked alongside veterans, and did not waver for a moment. "Instances of individual heroism are constantly occurring. A typical case was that of three engineers who were sent prior to the raid to clear the "way. The foremost placed a bangalore torpedo under the wire, when the Germans saw and bombed him, almost blowing off his leg. Lying on the ground the engineer lighted tho torpedo, fuse, fully expecting that the explosion would mean his death. His comrades rushed up and dragged the 1 j l^ o safety. He later succumbed, but his action resulted in the destruction of the wire and the success of; the raid.. AMERICANS ARE FEARLESS. "The Americana are fearless itt thatrenches, going out on dangerous night patrols, and tirelessly seeking know* ledge, while maintaining asi almost excessive modesty. They immediately became pals of our boys, being extraordinarily similar in appearance and; temperanient, An elderly American colonel femijjtccd' thjit he ibelieved l that the feeding ot troops wag the most important tiart of the war.. He asked to see our methods I and followed every operation from the cookhouse to delivery of the food in. warm containers at the front trenches, lie saul that he had learned more by this than, by months of theory, Tlw Austrapresence acta as a tonic on all ranks British corps commanders warmly thanked' Colonel Brand for the splendid assistance of his troops in the Hi)uteine sector.