A PROUD RECORD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1910, 3 December 1918, Page 4

A PROUD RECORD.

AUSTRALASIANS IN THE WAR General Rosenthal, pf the .Axis tralian Army, addressed oversea: and American journalists in Lon don a few weeks ago, reviewing tin Australian military operations dur ing the war. Although the Austra lian military force, he said, was on!; created for defence, it had sinci learned that Australia’s defend could be fought on a foreign held He thoroughly appreciated the co operation which existed between tin British and Australian forces in tin Somme battles. He related how i German order had been found whicl stated; “These Australians, who liv in the bush, come crawling on thei stomachs, and take our men. Thn sort of thing has got to stop." General Rosenthal gave instance; of Australians doing things tha were irregular and unorthodox, bu nevertheless caught the Boche 01 the hop. The Americans were much akin b the Australians in their initiative while the New Zealanders were easi ly the best troops on the West front Our troops got through ditlicult po sitions better than the English, dm to the fact that nearly all could rid and shoot. Every'man was in th officer's conlidence. He knew wha had to he done, so that if the ofli cars were knocked out, non-coms, o privates knew what to do. The speaker paid a tribute to tb cordial relations existing belweei the French and An-tralian soldiers a feeling which was greatly enhanc ed by the Amiens incident. Th French, rightly or wrongly, believe* that the Australians saved Amiens the Bishop of which was planning U have the deed commemorated in tin Cathedral. An Australian memoria was also being eroded by Australi an subscriptions a) Poronne, whiel the French undertook to look after General Rosenthal eulogised tin splendid work of the Australia! Comforts Fund and the Y.M.C.A Both organisations were always 01 hand within a quarter of a mile o the bring line. Australians on leavi greatly appreciated the English am Scottish hospitality. The Australians were Ihe on!; force which unfortunately had m death penally. Therefore they hai am unenviable record of desertions although he did not attribute I lies* to any desire to shirk the lighting.