AUSTRALIA'S THREE YEARS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3168, 20 August 1917, Page 6

AUSTRALIA'S THREE YEARS OF WAR

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE

A WAR ANNIVERSARY REVIEW To-day (says the Melbourne "Age" of August 4), the world will have been at war for three years.. This third anniversary finds the great nations locked in conflict grimmer and on a more titanic scale than before, and in that battle of giants Australia's 6ons ore still playing their part with the same dash and bravery that earned them fame on the shores of Gallipoli. Of their fighting history— of Bapaumo, Pozieres, Bulleeourt—there is not need to speak here, nor is it necessary to touch upon the humiliating history of the conscription referendum during, the past year. The purpose of this article is to show what Australia has done hitherto in building up hea - military machine, and forging her battle sword; for while it is better to look to, and prepare for the future, than to rest upon past accomplishments, it is nevertheless instructive to see how Australia's military organisation has grown during three years of war, and in what position she stand's at the beginning of the fourth year. It is not permissible to give full details of the organisation of the Expeditionary Force. But a brief study of the facts and figures made available by the defence authorities will show how the fighting strength of the Commonwealth has grown, how her sons have 'suffered, and how they have earned rewards for gallantry and efficient service on the field. In July, 1910, the strength of the Expeditionary Force was given a5'263,949. The following is the strength to-day, according to the latest returns:—

Total embarkations to June 30 ... 306,227 Embarkation for July, 1917 ...I 1,431 Total in camp, July 20, 1917 15,872 Grand total .-. 323,530 Number returned to Australia (to June 30, 1917) 29,793 Number discharged 21,651 The above figures comprise all arms of the service—infantry, light horse, artillery, flying corps, motor and other transport, engineers and medical services, and all the various technical branches, tho infantry, of course, vastly predominating. An oven better idea of tho growth of the force can be obtained by a glance at the numbers of commissioned officers in the A.I.F. At the end of two years of wax they numbered 6030. After three years' *ar the position is as follows:— _ Major-generals, 5; major-generals (temporary), 2; brigadier-generals" (temporary), 24; colonels, 17; colonels (temporary), 10; lieutenant-colonels, 171; lieuten-ant-colonels (temporary), 38; mnj<fa, 485. majors (temporary), 37; captains, 1570; captains (temporary), 47; lieutenants, 2190; lieutenants (temporary), 5; 2nd lieutenants, 2480; hon. majors, 13; hon. captains, 54; hon. lieutenants, 1256; chaplains, i!3l. Grand total, 7811. . As has been pointed out, some 7000 men iper month are required to keep' these forces up to strength, and it is estimated that there are approximately 735,000 men of military age in the Commonwealth— between the ages of 18 and 44—of whom about 425,000 are fit for active service,

Rewards for Bravery. The men who are now serving have amply proved their fighting qualities in some of thfc most terrific battles known to military history; but if further proof of 'their gallantry is needed it can be found in the splendid list of awards given for bravery and meritorious service. The latest figures in possession of the Defence Department show that from the beginning of the war until June last the following decorations have been von by men o£ the A.I.F.:— Victoria Cross 16 K.C.B .• 2 K.C.M.G n 3 C.B ■•• 21 • C.M.G • 5«D.S.O : 159 Eoynl Red Cross— First class l» Second class : « Military Cross «| Bar to Military Cross 6 Military Medal "83 Bar to Military Meda1......... Jo Distinguished Conduct MedaL Hi Bar to D.C.M. ..................... 1 Meritorious Service Medal ... 27 Eoyal Humane Society Medal & Brevet Bank ™ Mentioned in dispatches MBd In addition the following foreign decorations have been won by the A.1.J!.:French: Legion of Honour, 7; Medaille Militaire, 7; Croix de Guerre, H-totd. 25. Eussian: Order of St. Anne, 3 (two second class, one third class); Order of St. Stanislas, 4 (one second class, three third class); Cross of St. George 9 (one second class,-four each of third and fourth-class); Medal of St. George, 4total 20. Belgian: Grand Officier de l'ordre de la Couronne, 1. Egyptian: Order of the Nile, third ota&.lj. B**,"?'8** , "?' Order of the White Eagle (third, fourth, and fifth classes), 20; Order of Karngeorge (first, second and fourth classes) 13; gold modal "1- silver medal, 25—total, ». Montenegrindecorations: Ordero<-Itojo (second, third, fourth, and fifth classes), 6- silver medal for bravery, 3; gold medal for merit 2-total, 11. The total number of decorations, medals, and awards won bv the A.I.F. to June, 1917, is therefore,

39 For all this sacrifice and gallant service^ some 60 per cent., probably, return to duty): ~ Officers. Nurses. Others Deceased ™* { 42,217 Wounded ™ b __t. 3909 Missing '* M _ 2112 Casualty unknown j-_ L Total Mβ* 8 75,009 Total casualties (all ranks), 78,593. Major-General ■..• J Brigadier-General 3 Colonel • •■ on Lieutenant-Colonel ■••";;;;;";;"";;; m Chaplain "; 6 Nurses . Total a ' 2l3 Army's Growth and Equipment. Tlio growth of the fighting force from it- first slender beginning as one division Sfim "en in August 1914, is plain* vLiblo from the above .tables, as ie also beinc passed as medically fit. Of ttoe General of Recruiting has under his con-4°Victoria.-Ono orwnising "eoretwy; vpovuitiii" oreanisors, ib. We ten Australia.-One orßaiiswe retary; office ataff, 5; recruiting offictis,

7; organisers, 17; local recruiting com*ruittees, 78. Tasmania.—One organising; secretary? office staff, 2; recruiting officers. 5; organisers, 14; local committees, 73. The recruiting organisation has therefore increased tremendously since the beginning of the war, although fewer men are enlisting as time goes by; the greater part of the increase has been doling the pait year. The Australian Flying Corps. One of the most interesting features,, on s a smaller scale, of the development of the fightinfc forces since 1911 has been the increased activity of the flying school at Point Cook. The permanent statt haa only grown from 15 to 43, but there has ' been greatly increased activity in owe? directions. There were only four aeroplanes in use in 1914. This number has' been increased, and other machines are. . on the way or on order; new hangars, have been built, and there is now a ma* - chinery plant capable of erecting new machines, or carrying out extensive repairs. There have been seven flying schools of instruction held up to May 14. and the eighth course is now being Held —these courses ranging'from six weeJaf to three months' duration. In all 93 officers have been trained as pilots, ot whom one has won the V.C. From August 18, 1314, to June 30, 1917, the number of flights carried out in the Departmental machines at the school was 3946, covering an • approximate distancef 35,305 miles, in 728J hours. Over 2OW5 1 tests of applicants for enlistment in ther Australian Flying Corps have been carried out. And, in addition to practical flying, instruction has been given in the 1 theory of flight, principles of design, aero engines, reconnaissance, workshop, Lewis gun, meteorology, French, signalling and photography.- A good deal of developmental work has therefore taken place in connection with flying activities in tnfl past three years.

The Medical Services. Since the beginning of the war thes Army Medical service has grown to great, proportions. The officers now number-.— Colonels, 5; lieutenant-colonels, 53; majors, IoT; captains, 575. Quartermasters: Hon. majors, 2; hon. captains, 42; hon. lieutenants, 21. Dentists: Hon. majors, 2; hon. captains, 34; hon. lieutenants, 4)). Matrons, 27; sisters, 355; nurses, 1593; masseurs, 24; other ranks. 10.600-the total of the medical service being thus more than hall of the original Australian force. The number of beds now provided for overseas in 10,999, and ltt Wralia 7372. There are also four, general hospitals, 15 ambulances, two stationary hospitals, throe casualty clearingstations and one derinatological hospital, oversea, and in Australia there are 10 general hospitals, 11 auxiliary hospitals and homes, 12 camp casualty deanne stations and six other hospitals. Thero are six X-ray outfits in Australia, and eight convalescent homes. These futures show plainly the growth of the fientisS force.- .