Over the Top With the Third Australian Division | Page 5

Before replying the occupant, a
widow, asked whether he was an Australian or a ----. Upon learning his
regimental identity, she told him that she had no accommodation.
Somewhat vexed, he retorted, 'If I were an Australian you would
probably have found room for me.' 'Yes,' was her reply. 'Well,' the
officer observed, 'I fail to understand what you see in the Australians;
they're savages.' Before closing the door the occupant said, 'I like
savages.'
The following incidents but imperfectly portray the irrepressible
humour, unexampled heroism, and splendid initiative so commendably
displayed by the Australian under the varying and trying conditions
common to modern warfare.
IMPROMPTU WIT.
The ----th Battalion had been relieved. The men had been in the lines
six days. They looked forward to a few days' spell at the back of the
trenches. On reaching the back area some of the men were detailed to
carry supplies up to the lines. Whilst so engaged they were met by a
General, who was in the habit of visiting the trenches unaccompanied.
This officer, himself a young man, ever had a cheery word for the
'boys.' One of the men on duty lagged some distance behind the main
party. The expression on his face indicated that he was 'fed up.' He was
also beginning to feel the weight of the sack which he was carrying. As
he passed, the General acknowledged the reluctant turn of his head by
way of salute, and then asked, 'Where are you going, my man?' 'In the
---- knees, sir,' was the ready and witty reply.

[Illustration: 'Where are you going, my man?' 'In the knees, sir.']
MORE CURIOUS THAN CAUTIOUS.
A man on duty in the front-line trenches displayed more curiosity than
caution and eventually paid the penalty for his mistake. In the
endeavour to ascertain what was going on across 'no man's way,' he
exposed himself to the keen observation of an enemy sniper, who
quickly trained his rifle on him and a bullet penetrated the steel helmet
of the over-curious soldier. The bullet traversed the crown of the head
and lodged in the nape of the neck. He flung his rifle to one side and
did a sprint along the duck-boards. His mates inquired the reason of his
haste. Without abating his speed he called out, 'Do you think that I
want to drop dead in that blimey mud?' As he reached the dry
duck-boards his strength gave out, and he would have fallen but for the
timely assistance from two of his mates, who lowered him gently, then
brought a stretcher on which to carry him to the R.A.P. As they were
about to start away with him, he opened his eyes, and they inquired if
he were hurt. 'Well, it does give you a bit of a headache, you know,' he
replied; 'have you got a fag?' A cigarette was handed to him, and as
they carried him away he smoked his 'fag.'
IT'S ALL IN THE GAME.
A similar instance of absolute self-forgetfulness and indomitable spirit
occurred at another part of the line. A shell burst near to our wire and
projected a tangled heap of it forward. A piece of barbed wire encircled
a man's neck. The barbs bit into the flesh. The shoulders of his tunic
were torn. The blood flowed freely from nasty cuts in his neck and
cheeks. Without altering his position he looked out in the direction of
the Hun lines and declared that if he ever got hold of the ---- Hun who
fired that ---- shell, he would drive his ---- bayonet through him. When
the wire was taken from round his neck, his face wreathed in smiles as
he remarked, 'Well, I suppose it is all in the game,' then turning to his
mates he asked, 'I say, digger, have you got a smoke?'
My Lady Nicotine is certainly a general favourite amongst the 'boys.'
They seek her solace during the critical periods of their active service

life. Unquestionably one of the most deeply appreciated issues that the
men receive is that of tobacco and cigarettes. For this extra 'ration'
credit must be given to the A.C.F. and other funds which have
expended large sums of money in making available to the troops the
'pipe of peace' and the comfort of the 'fag.'
A CLEVER RUSE.
This incident is related in the strictest confidence, and solely upon the
condition that the identity of the individuals concerned will not be
disclosed. A certain officer--I dare not mention his rank, as there are so
few Generals amongst us that to even mention it would be tantamount
to disclosing his identity. Therefore, a certain officer was on a tour of
inspection. The utmost effort had been made by the unit holding the
line to have