M.F. REPUTATION

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 57, 5 September 1944, Page 6

M.F. REPUTATION

ALLEGATIONS REFUTED Jtec. 1 p.m.- : SYDNEY, Sept. 5. ; Any belief - that the Australian divisions back from the Middle East were lacking in discipline was erroneous, declared General Mac Arthur. Al-tho-Ksn he knew nothing of the conduct of the Australian troops in the Middle East, he: knew everything with regard to their conduct since their return to' Australia. He was commenting on an allegation that A.I.F. soldiers in Syria had sold their rifles to finance farewell parties. This allegation, made by Lawrence Badcock, editor of the American magazine has ; aroused a storm of protest. General Mac Arthur added: "Australians are magnificent soldiers, not; only in the field but in conduct and deportment m the back areas. There are no finfer disciplined troops in 'the world. A grave; injustice would be done if any general inference should be drawn irom possible minor individual instances that .they are in any degree lacking^ in that high tone of selfrespect, which so characterises and dignifies the Australian soldier" The suggestion that soldiers had spld their rifles in Syria •*? described by the\ Minister for the Army (Mr. Forde) as "fantastic." The t^l^^ brouSht back from the Middle East by the war veterans of the A;I.F. was instrumental in driving the Japanese back over the Owen Stanley Range, said the Minister. Officers who commanded Australian units in Syria have, also denied the allegation.