TALES OF THE WAR

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1930, Page 7

TALES OF THE WAR

WHY 1* ASS CHEN DAEL E WAS FOUGHT. CANADIAN G ENEL? A TVS STORY. VANCOUVER, November 27. The year 1929 closes after having produced more lurid tales of war tluin any year since the Kaiser ran amok. Hard on tho heels of “.Journey's End” came the German war story of Re-, marque, in which, strange as it may seem, the American publisher expunged two indelicate chapters which appear in the British version. Another English war book, far more “raw” than Sheriff’s is now in circulation. Armistice Day of 1919 was chosen as an occasion for lurid revelations in public speeches. Lieutenant-General Sir Arehiballd McDonnell presented a new and extraordinary version of the Battle of Passchenuaele that will interest Australians and New Zealanders, especially those/ from the Commonwealth and the Dominion who fought at Polygon Wood and Gravenstafel, and handed on their operations to the Canadian Corps.

General McDonnell admitted it was not until two years after the battle that he learned the reason why it was fought. “It was fought because 290,L00 French soldiers had throwm down their arms,” he declared. They were ready to quit. It was necessary that another German attack on the French lines be prevented for the balance of the year. And the only way to do this was to go after the thing the enemy prized the most. So the attacks on Zeebrugge and Passchendaole wore planned.”

A CORPS CONFERENCE. Recapitulating the events which led up to the engagement the General said: “After we had taken Hill 69, it was planned that we should go to Cambrai to assist Byng, and I have always wondered vvliat would have happened if the Canadian storm troops had been throw'll in there. A corps conference was being held. From where I was sitting I saw Haig’s car drive up outside. “The conference was adjourned for toil minutes. Currie went out, and lie and Haig walked back and forth. Haig seemed to be putting a proposition to Currie, and Currie kept shaking his head. “They came in. Haig said; “It is necessary that the Canadians take Passchendaele. Some day I will tell you why I have just been putting this i.\p to Currie, and he says “no,” and only consented when I agreed that the Canadians should be covered by an artillery barrage satisfactory to him.” ENGLAND AND FRANCE. “Lloyd George arrived and said to the French Government: “ ‘Franco is a sovereign . nation, with the right to choose her line of action, but, no matter w’hat France does, England lights on to the last man, and when the last cartridge has been fired England will win.’ “Franco will not let England light alone, but the French are in no position to light now',’ was Clemenceatrs dictum. ‘lf the Germans attack they will go through us like a hot knife through butter. You must prevent another German attack on the French lines for the balance of the year.’

“Haig did not tell us why. His memory is enhanced a hundredfold in the minds of all soldiers wdio looked up to him and revered him as a leader, from the fact that lie alone of all the military leaders in the Great War, held his peace till he answered the call for the Grand Parade.”