ARMY'S FAULTS

Evening Star, Issue 25619, 20 October 1945, Page 8

ARMY'S FAULTS

SOME IRKSOME TRIFLES VIEWS OF EX-SOLDIERS To the criticisms of "silly things"' in the Army, made by Major-general H. E. Barrowclough, former commander of the Third Division, have been added those of other men who have returned from overseas service, says the 'New Zealand Herald.' The general, when addressing an U.S.A. gathering, gave as examples undue restriction of the liberty of, men off duty, the practice of saluting where it is unnecessary, and the folding of blankets to exact measurements. : One returned man mentioned the case of a colonelwho insisted that, before a man went on leave, his boots must be polished underneath, between, the sole and heel. The men were ordered to wear Army boots and gaiters on leave, shoes not ■ being permitted. These were cases where General Barrowclough, himself, intervenedand stated that, so long as a man was neat and tidy, he could .wear shoes on leave, and the polishing underneath was abolished as ridiculous. _ _ : - " There . were officers who insistedon equipment being hung on the hut walls in patterns," said another exsoldier. "No personal gear was permitted in the huts, as it - would spoil the symmetry. I had a portable gramophone, and . had to remove it. General Barrowclough laid it down that, if a hut was kept clean and neat, there was no need for these petty restrictions and rales." PERSONAL GEAR IN HUTS. "The Army magnifies scores .of things—mere trifles—into an imports ance beyond all the bounds of common sense,"' remarked still another exserviceman. A lot of the things which irritated most were so trifling that it was now difficulty to remember them. He referred to an officer who insisted ■on mounting a ceremonial guard at a camp where a superior officer later ordered that one man with 6idearms was' sufficient. One irksome rule, according to u former officer, was that relating to comr raunications between the men and superior officers. A man wishing to communicate with the superior officer must first approach his platoon- sergeant, who referred the matter a step higher, and so on until the request at last reached its. destination. It was considered that the procedure could be simplified, enabling more direct approach. OTHER IRRITATIONS RECALLED. Among irritating, and even -ridicu> lous, incidents mentioned by a former member of one unit was a. parade of mature men, all formerly good citizens* who were addressed by; a non-commis-sioned officer, a mere youth of-18, on ' Correct .Behaviour When on Leave.' The placing of men with much previous military training among raw recruits for elementary drill has also been strongly resented. It js considered that the Army recruiting system could be improved, so that men with experience of certain work could be placed where their talents could be utilised to the best advantage. The swinging of arms shoulder high on the march was characterised by one man as an absurdity. : He also asked why it' should be necessary to have brass buttons on greatcoats and brass badges. " Every body knows now that shining - brass "ckfitiat : be 'worn "By a soldier on active service,"f he added. "These may seem to be very 1 small and insignificant matters," commented another returned man,-, "but their effect is cumulative. They annoy--the men and tend to upset, rather than improve, discipline. I admit the heed for instilling discipline, but, with; New Zealanders at least, the best discipline is that obtained by treating the men as if they had some degree-of intelligence." :' : . " '.' v •-• •.!"