HEAVY MORTALITY AMONG OFFICERS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1357, 6 February 1915, Page 4

HEAVY MORTALITY AMONG OFFICERS.

The pioportion of British officers killed in actiou is frightful. With the Germans it is greater still. It is reported that of those who a little more than four months ago gaily crossed the Belgian frontier on their way to Paris, 70 per cent, are killed or missing. This seems incredible. But it must be remembered that all the foes of the German officers are not in front of them. As they with indisputable gallantry lead their men into action there are behind ibrtu scores, perhaps hundreds, whom by their callous brutality, they have converted into deadly enemies. When a man has been subjected to the harshest disciplinary treatment, va i d by private use of the cane, or even o ? the revolver, he might had r difficult to resist the temptation of settling old scores. It would be interesting and instructive to karn how many of the German officers fallen in the field have been shot in the back. It is true that during the war a habit has been acquired by them of advancing revolver in hand behind their troops, ready to shoot any man who shows disinclination to proceed. But though this practice may limit opportunity, it does not absolutely destroy it. The different relationship between the British officer and his men as compared with that in the German array, is indicated in a passage from a letter written by Ainslie Gore, a young officer whose short but splendid career is told by his comrade, Major Gambier Parry. Talking about the rank and file, be said : “Fail to win these fellows’ hearts, and they will fail you, and fail themselves through you—don’t forget that. Win their hearts and their confidence at the same time ; and they will follow you to —well, blazes ! The real remedy, I think, is to be a gentleman at all times, and there is no surer judge of a gentleman, especially if he is country-bred, than Tommy the gentleman, himself.”