TOO EAGER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1627, 21 October 1916, Page 4

TOO EAGER.

AUSTRALIAN SOLDIKKS* GREAT FAULT.

Tlie Sydney Bulletin gives this “bitter cry of an Australian officer after the Pozieres push":— “For Heaven’s sake 1 , leach Biiljim when to stop. Hundreds of the finest, bravest, fellows in the world are lying out there simply because (bey reekoned they could do more tlmn they were asked )o do and tried to do it. The plan was to take two trenches, and a communication, trench, and hold them. The staff had worked out everything to (it in with that. Our fellows look the two trenches at a gallop. ‘Oh, this is too easy,’ they said. ‘A e can do another.’ They rushed the third and occupied it. Then two things happened. .The Germans Hooded the trench, and our fellows found they were without supports and must get hack. But the Germans had come in behind them. Machine guns and artillery could not help them, they could not do damage lo the enemy without killing their own men, who were now light ing I heir way home. The slaughter was horrible, and when it was over they were too weak and exhausted to hold even the second line which, before they could have held easily. This eagerness is magnificent, in any other sort of warfare it might he invincible. But in this scige war, this conflict, of great guns, there must be the most perfect collaboration. It is machine warfare. Get them drilled into this. They may be able to do more than they are told. But to do just what they have been told to do is the best they can do. In this business to do more is not to do better. Say it again and again, and write it up in letters a foot long.”