ANZACS IN FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 May 1916, Page 5

ANZACS IN FRANCE.

ANXIETY TO GET THERE. . LAND WITHOUT MISHAP. COOD ADVICE FROM GENERAL BIRDWOOD. By Cable.—Press Association—Copyright Received May 9. 9.10 p.m. London, May 8. Nearly half of the Australians and most of the New Zealandors who are on the West front have seen fighting at Anzne or in Western Egypt. Their losses at Gallipoli were so heavy that in order to make up the full quota destined for Northern France, with adequate reserves, it was necessary to draw largely upon recent drafts from the Commonwealth and the Dominion. LIGHT HORSE GO AS INFANTRY. When the expedition was being arranged much anxiety was felt, some of the regiments fearing that they would not go. Many men belonging to the Light Horse disowned their regiments, hoping to he drafted into the troops for France, as they did not want to stay behind. Nine hundred of the Light Horse volunteered for the infantry in a siugle day. The last Australians left, carrying the Ansae headquarters-staff, Generals Birdwood and White. THE VOYAGE. The voyage was practically without incident. Directly the men embarked they were supplied with lifebelts, whieli they wore all day. Boat drill was part of the routine and every man was allotted to his station. The navigation ifficers had several anxious hours, but tlie men were unaware of the proximity of deadly submarines. Several false alarms were sounded to test the efficiency and safety' of the arrangements, and the troops were required to stand by the boats, but the whole body was transferred without a single mishap. There were a few eases of sickness on the last day of the trip. GENERAL BIRDWOOD'S ADDRESS. A SPIRITED APPEAL. At a meeting arranged on a troopship, General Birdwood addressed 3500 men, and a printed copy has been distributed to every member of the force, together with the text of Lord Kitchener's message to the Expeditionary Force, in August, 1914. Received May 10, 10 p.m. Londbon, May 9. THE NEED FOR DISCIPLINE. General Birdwood urged the Anzacs to live up to their ideal, and then proceeded:— "You have made for yourselves a national reputation as good fighters, which has earned the esteem of the comrades alongside whom you will soon be fighting. You have two important qualities, the fighting spirit and training, but a third quality is discipline. This is essential to success, and is the greatest of the three. Without it, the best fighting troops in the world' would fail to achieve success. You will be faced with temptations in France, because you will probably be billeted in densely-populated villages. Drink will, I fear, be obtainable in the villages, which are mostly full of women and children, whose fathers, husbands, and brothers are fighting for their country against our common enemy. * WARNING AGAINST DRINK. "I have not the slightest doubt that you will respect the women, because you well know how repugnant the idea of an offence against defenceless women is to tvery Australian and New Zealander. Against drink, I wish particularly to warn you. I implore you to take hold of yourselves, and, in every case, for every man to absolutely make up his mind to determine for himself that he won't give way thereto, remembering that the honor of Australia or New Zealand is in his keeping. "You know I am referring to a very small proportion. The great majority of you don't want such warning, and I earnestly beg them to do all in their power to look after their comrades hot having the same strength of mind. Remember, a few black sheep can give a bad name to the whole flock. "SEE TO THIS, BOYS." 'Let us make up our minds that the Australian and New Zealand forces are going to prove themselves second to none in discipline, as already they have done where sheer hard fighting was concerned. See to this, boys. You know you are capable of it, and if you do it, you will return to Australia and New Zealand after peace and victory, with an unsullied reputation which will go down for all times in your homes."

OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. COMFORTS FOR THE MEN. Wellington, Yesterday. His Excellency the Governor received a telegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies this morning, giving authority to announce that Australian and New Zealand troops have arrived in France, and have taken over portion of the British front. As it will be necessary to forward for the men in the firing line comforts provided 'by the women of New Zealand, through her Excellency's organisation, and for Red Cross goods to reach whatever destination may be necessary under ■the altered conditions, the Governor is taking steps to obtain the requisite information, which will he made public as soon as possible, though some little time is bound to elapse owing to the difficulties of arranging for transit, and ascertaining the quantities which will be required.