YANKS IN WAR.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3379, 7 January 1920, Page 5

YANKS IN WAR.

'MONASH’S FRANK CRITICISM. “NEGLECT UPSET TACTICAL PLANS.” ‘ LONDON, Dec, 25. Frank criticism of the imperfect cooperation of the 27th and 30th American Divisions with ‘the Australians at the Battle of Bellecourt appears in the sixth instalment -of General Monasll’s book in the Sunday Times. ‘ The Americans were specially coached under General Maclagian, of the A.1.F., before the battle, and largely benefited, by this instruction, but neglecied the vital necessity «of mopping up.

Their proce-dure during‘ the advance was otherwise successful, but this neglect upset the tactical plans, and repeatedly handicapped the Australians. On one occasion it resulted in the Germans surrounding the Americans on all -‘ sides, -and capturing 1200. General Monash qualifies his critic-‘ ism by a warm tribute to the Yankee’s bravery, eagerness, and splendid comradeship. “For their shortcomings they paid heavily in sacrifices, but nevertheless they contributed quite definitely to the success of the opera’-" tions,” concludes the general.” BRITISH OFFICER PROTESTS. LONDON, Dec. 25. Several protests have -been raised ‘against general Monaslf’s criticisms of British troops. A Captain R. Martin, adjutant of the 2nd Battalion of the 10th London Regiment, in 9. letter to the Sunday Times, Ito-day takes up the eudgels on behalf l of the troops flanking the Australians’ left in August, 1918, declaring that General Monash is “;very unfortunate in his quite untrue statements.” Regarding the capture of Chipillyj Spur, Captain Martin claims that a. company -of his battalion captured the township and spur, quotingthe London , Gazette of February 1, in which the] complany’s 0.C., Captain Benber, was] awarded the D. 5.0., ‘adding that an‘ American company supported the battalion, but at the American eolonel’s’ }request a British officer commanded. 1 “It was bad enough.” continues I Captain Marfln, “having the British Press during the war joining the eternal chorus of praise of the colonial] troops, but it is still worse where anl eminent Australian general, who hasn’t troubled to verify his data, -makes 1111- I true stafenients and false charges about our divisions, “We all know that the‘ Australians and the Americans won the war, but] surely credit should be given for any : minvor successes WOll by the British] troops.” 3 I