EX-SOLDIERS ANGRY.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20279, 23 August 1937, Page 7

EX-SOLDIERS ANGRY.

ALLEGATIONS BY GENERAL. ATTACKS ON MEN’S COURAGE. AN OFFICIAL INQUIRY DEMANDED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, August 22. The Sunday Graphic states that former officers and soldiers are demanding an official inquiry into Briga-dier-General F. P. Crozier’s attacks on the British Army in his book: “The Men I Killed.” They insist that he should substantiate or withdraw his suggestion that men were kept in the front line in the Great War owing to fear of their colonel's revolver. The Graphio adds that General Crozier's attack on the courage of Rritish soldiers, Welshmen and the Irish Rifles, has aroused the indignation of the British Legion, the Exservicemen’s Welfare Society and exservicemen generally. Possibly the most effective reply to General Crozler Is made by Beverly Baxter, who quotes the following words of a son of a dead soldier: 11 My father gave his life not beoauee he feared the colonel’s revolver, but for the sake of myself, then a baby, and hla womenfolk at home.” A rifleman Is quoted who pungently remarks: “ I served for six months with a battalion nine-tenths of whom were under the age of 19. I never saw one of them turn back or any sign of cowardice. Nor did I see a brass hat nearer than base headquarters. The battalion was led by subalterns who, more often than not, died in the first second."