Enemy objectives

Some of the Otago football team, which beat a team of soldiers from the 39th Reinforcements at...
Some of the Otago football team, which beat a team of soldiers from the 39th Reinforcements at Culling Park. From left: L. McEvor, A. Grant, P. James, D. Dryden, V. Dickel, A. Hobbs, C. Mason and F. Haig. — Otago Witness, 17.4.1918.
LONDON: Mr Philip Gibbs writes: Sir Douglas Haig’s order of the day should reveal to the world what is happening out here. The enemy’s objectives were to seize the Channel ports and destroy the British army, and they brought frightful forces to achieve the plan, making a call upon our troops to hold every position to the last man. Many of our men have been fighting day and night for weeks. They do so because the spirit wakes again above bodily fatigue. Some have fought continuously since March 21. They have fought many rearguard actions, with the enemy on both flanks, truly fighting with their backs against the wall. England and Scotland must steel their hearts to this sacrifice. The enemy still storm against us with fresh men and more fresh men in overwhelming numbers. Only little groups are left out of gallant companies. But these bands of brothers belonging to the English and Scottish regiments have ‘‘no surrender’’ in their souls. If they yield it will be to death.

Infernal night scenes

There is a dreadful scene as the war draws near to places long outside the war zone, where our soldiers lived on familiar terms among the people. At night the scene is infernal. On a clear starlight night the horizon is lit for miles with the flames of burning stores and ammunition dumps, combined with bonfires of farms, houses, and villages, and the flashes of gun. Yesterday the weather changed. There was no sunlight in the sky. It was a strange, terrible thing to stand behind the line, one’s ears tingling with the noise of the greatest battle in history, but unable to see the shell-bursts there. The tumult of gun-fire was greatest south of Bailleul. I saw guns coming up, the gunners dusty and white. The men were saying little, but getting immediately into action. Little bodies of infantry were marching up with heavy packs, slung rifles, grey eyes, and tightened lips. It is courage, not lightheartedness, that keeps these men cheerful, because they know the truth in all its nakedness.  The worst tragedy, apart from the ordeal of our fighting, is the plight of the people, who are now compelled to flee from the advancing flame of war.

Day of prayer

At a largely attended war prayer meeting in the Hanover Street Baptist Church last night, the Rev G. Heighway (secretary of the United Christian Council) announced the arrangements that were being made for a whole day of prayer on Thursday. It is proposed that the meeting or meetings shall last continuously from 10 a.m. till 9 p.m., the day being divided into hour spaces. A number of prominent business men and others will have charge for an hour each, and appropriate hymns will be sung and prayer offered for our Empire and its Allies. Opportunity will be given for anyone to enter or to leave during the singing of hymns, but not during the periods of intercession. The gathering will probably take place in the Burns Hall.

Weather affects fishing

The Southland Times states that the boisterous and wild weather experienced lately has not been enjoyed by the fishermen.

Heavy seas are running out by the oyster beds, and fishermen are having all they can do to get enough oysters to supply the town wants. — ODT, 16.4.1918.

Add a Comment