ADAPTABLE. AUSTRALIANS

Evening Star, Issue 17085, 2 July 1919, Page 6

ADAPTABLE. AUSTRALIANS

GENERAL BROWNE'S OPINION. “As to tho Australian as an artilleryman ia actual warfare, I can only say that ho has maintained and has established himself on a similar footing to that which any other branches have done. Where ho succeeds is that he adapts himself to situations us they arise.” Such is the opinion expressed by Brigadier-general A. J. Bessall Browne, Who returned last month from the front, after having served th roue-bout tire whole -period of me war. Referring to his experiencoa in Fiance. General Browne esAd that the biggest artillery duel was fought at Ypres between June and November, 1917. “ Durum- tho artillery attack end daring tho period mentioned opr casualties in this salient approximated 43 officers and. 1,500 other ranks, our total risrongth bring about 104 officers cud 2,3)0 other ranks,” he said. “ Still another phase was opened in April, 1318, when an Australian corps entrained from the \ icinity of !&e Yjwes salient for Amiens and dieckedi 4he German advance, when the enemy broke through our lino in the direction of Cambrel and Albert. Here again the artillery hud a short period ot open warfare arising out of the operations. One of the finest eulogies of the Australians appeared in the Baris ‘ L-e Figaro ’ on let May, 1918, which was more appreciated at the time because its praise was spontaneous. This journal remarked: ‘ These -Australians of General Birdwood Me amongst the most magnificent soldiers of the Brithrh Armv. They are the famous Anzacs wi,i, fought terrible battles on Gallipoli neariy four years ago. . . . They would v. t and could not htve defended their <,« u villages better than they have hciv u i>..ding curs. Our land has beoomr i " One of the meet treasured iccuds whidi the general brought back is a copy „f General Rawlioson’s telegram-of conr; >lulations to the 53b4 Battery ox the r n Division of Artillery, which shot, down v German aviator Von ■ Richthofen. '] copy was sent to him by Major-general Hobbs. Richthofen, General Browiu stated, was in full chase after ore of our planes, and after whirling round Die valley our plane shot up the side of the hi!; and across the crest, where It turned. Our men let our plane through, and then shot the Bocho down as ho passed the crest c-f the hill at a height of 2Dolt.