PIERCE SOLDIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 April 1941, Page 6

PIERCE SOLDIERS

AUSTRALIAN TROOPS FORGIVEN. EXPLOITS IN AFRICA. Because of Bardia all—or nearly' all —is forgiven, stated a commentator in a South African paper following the capture of Bardia by Australian troops. Scattered along African coasts are some hosts of hostelries to whom the word "Australian,” until today, brought instant bipod pressure. Just because a few gay spirits wrecked their furniture, threw them into the bay, upturned their motor cars or threatened to fire their premises, they were aggrieved. Today as they read of the same devil-may-care troops leading the charge into Bardia. they are saying one to another (though not entirely wholeheartedly): "Perhaps after all it was a boyish prank."

Maybe the Australian soldier is not as black as he is painted. Perhaps it is a case of so much being blamed on so many because of so few. the so few being the hooligans (there are some in every land) who turn jolly romps into wrecking raids. Eut if Australians have the reputation of being hard-boiled, resentful of discipline and destructive they are also known as men who don't shirk a fight—street, free-for-all. or stand-up. Tomorrow “Aussies” may be tossing Cairo minarets, bazaar salesmen and shieks into the Nile, but today the Empire is thinking of them as Herbert. E. Palmer thought of them when he wrote the lines: As I was walking down Oxford Street, Ten fierce soldiers I chanced to meet: They wore big slouch hats and khaki sashes. And talked like angry guns: in flashes. Well, I would have given all I had To have gone with the bunch of them, good or bad: To have heard the wickedest say. “Old fellow!" And staunched his wound where the black guns bellow. I'd have thought it a merry' thing to die. With such stalwart comrades standing by. Oh! All the Germans in Berlin town Couldn't put those ten Australians down.