12 DECEMBER 1941, Page 9

WINTER OFFENSIVE

WINTER strikes suddenly, strikes deep

into the neutral territory of autumn, thrusting its armoured columns of hail down the valleys, and throwing its curtain of grey drifting snow across the plain.

Penetrates the defences of the woods which fight grim rearguard action with their tattered foliage, till the pincing fingers of the wind nip the gaudy leaf, roll up the formation of branch and stem. Brims the ditches with a rush of rain, breaking through the thin screen of leaves, and drowns with its whirlwind offensive the retreating sun, that the headlong clouds engulf before the day is done.

ROBIN ATMILL.