The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1918. SECOND TO NONE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 77, 26 December 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1918. SECOND TO NONE

I A captuked German document | some extracts from which are published to-day is entitled to a place in the New Zealand historical records. Its interest and value rest upon the very clear demonstration it affords that the New Zealand Division was rated as high in the ! scale of fighting forces by the enemy as by the commanders ancl. other authorities of standing on the Allied side of the battlefront who classed it as' second to none." There is no reason for regarding the German "Intelligence l Summary" as anything but what it purports to be, that is to say, an absolutely dispassionate estimate of our principal fighting force, based on observation and extended experience—not by any means pleasant experience for the Germans. So regarded, the document contains matter that will lie read with pride by all New Zealanders. 'The passage in which the Germans Colonel Walthek, sums up his impressions of the New Zealand Division is especially striking:— A particularly good assault division. Its characteristic is a very strongly developed individual self-confidenco or enterprise, typical' of tlie colonial Englishman, and a specially pronounced haired of the Germans. The division prides itself oil taking few 'prisoners. A captured officer taken at the end of April did not hesitate to boast of this, while in the prison cage. No better proof could be desired than these words afford- that the New Zealand Division not only set its mark upon the Huns, but extorted their unwilling respect even while it earned their hatred. It was certainly in .no amiable frame of mind that' Colonel Walther referred to the New Zealanders' "specially pronounced hatred of the Germans" and their pride in taking few prisoners, and it counts for so much the more that these comments are immediately preceded by the estimate "a particularly good assault division," in 'which all possible praise is summed up. There is another significant bit' of testimony from the enemy in the expectation expressed in a later passage that the New Zealand Division would bo found on the Hebuterne sector west of Bapaume occupying the same exceptionally long front as in its earlier appearances in the line. That our division was able to occupy a front longer than ordinary and to play a corresponding part in so many famous battles was due in part to the fact that it had a considerable numerical superiority over a normal division in any of the Allied armies. But it is bare justice to'our soldiers and their leaders to rccoeniso that the name and fame they have established are due above all to their valour and to the disciplined efficiency which made their valour effective.

The Gorman "Intelligence Summary" deserves attention not. only on account of its immediate interest, but because it appears at an opportune time. Already _ our soldiers are returning in increasing numbers, arid before lone; measures for restoring the whole Expeditionary Force to the country it has served so well will be in full working order. The Dominion would do itself little credit if it did not in all rcspects- fittingly honour the sorvicc of its soldiers and the sacrifice of those who have fallen. After all that has been said in praise of the New Zealanders by the highest military authorities of our own nation and its allies, and, as has been shown, even by the enemy, the danger of their achievements and _ the place they ha-vc gained in military annals being regarded too lightly in their own country might seem to be remote. There is, however, a distinct tendency on the part of the people of New Zealand to take the deeds of thoir soldiers as a matter of course. The tendency, no doubt, is heightened by the general disinclination of returned soldiers to exalt their own part and that of their country in the war. But neither modest diffidence nor.any other sen-, tiinent should be allowed to cloud the fact that in ■ reputation and standing the New Zealand Division is' unsurpassed by any body of troops which foutrht in the war. This is the unvarying testimony of all who speak on the subject with authority. Sir Douglas Haig said of the New Zealanders not long ago that they did invariably all that they were asked to do and something more. Only the other day General Birdwood, who now commands the British Fifth Army, declared that no name was higher in the world of the Australian and New ' Zealand soldiers, "while in the whole Army there was not any better organised or more efficient division than the New Zealandcrs.'" Much more might bo. cited to the same effect, but these, statements may stand as typfcal examples of what has been said about 'our soldiers by those who are best able to understand and appraise their achievements. In their _ first serious contact with the realities of war, in the ever-memorable Battle of the Landing, the New Zealand troops mado it abundantly clear that they were worthy descendants of fighting forbears. But the .reputation with which they have emerged from the war is something greater and broader than that of valiant fighters. To say, as General Birdwood did, that in the whole Army there was not any better organised or more efficient division than the New Zealanders is to say much more than that our men acquitted themselves as brave and gallant soldiers. It is to recognise that our troops and their leaders have gained a mastery of tho art of war that is wonderful when account is faken of their initial handicap and limitations. From the outset, the New Zealandcrs fought in competition, friendly and otherwise, with the best troops of great countries in which not only exhaustive military preparation but intensive study of the art of war were established by custom and enforced by long unbroken tradition. That in such competition our soldiers gained a foremost place amongst the fighting formations of the day proves them to be not more remarkably endowed with valour than with ability to submit to and nrofit by the organisation and discipline which are vital factors in war. Many brilliant exploits stand to the credit of the New Zealand Division, and its officers and men have never been lacking in bold initiative, but valour and enterprise alone would not have gained the reputation it has earned. In no small degree that reputation rests j upon an unfailing exhibition of the ' steady discipline which marks the

seasoned soldier and the seasoned corps, and makes valour effective and gives initiative its real value, The New Zealand Division has a proud record for its conduct and achievements in battle. It has as good reason to bo proud of its record where its conduct behind the lines is concerned. It adds to the pride and satisfaction with which the record of our division is regarded that in its culminating achievements it was commanded by a New Zealander. Sir Andrew Russell has the name of an able and gifted commander, solicitous as all such commanders arc of the welfare of those serving under him. The, best tes/timony to_ his ability and qualities appears in the noble record of his division, for it is certain that no division could establish such a record unless it had a worthy commander.