BRITAIN AT WAR

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1939, Page 5

BRITAIN AT WAR

BRIGADIER'S IMPRESSIONS

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, December 6

Impressions of Britain’s war activities, which he described as a triumph of organisation and skill, were given b.? Brigadier P. M. McFarlane, C.8.E., Australian Staff Corp-:, who is returning from furlough in England poinding his retirement. Brigadier McFarlane was commandant of the Western Australian Forces until he reached the age of retirement in May. When war was declared, the Military Board of Australia, at his request placed his services at the disposal of the War Office; but a war appointment could not be found for him with the British forces. He hopes to return to England next year and take up an appointment. Brigadier McFarlane, who has had about 40 years' military service, including two years in the Boer War. said that commands in Britain have all been given to younger senior officers, few of whom are over the age of 45 years. They have been very carefully selected from the regular forces and are alert and extremely efficient. Although on furlough, Brigadier McFarlane was in close touch with the mobilisation activities of the British forces, which he stated were a marvel of organisation. The training of the new British soldiers was being carried out very thoroughly by highlytrained experts, all of whom weire young, alert, and fit. There was no confusion or waste of manpower which obtained in 1914.

“It is considered that Herr Hitler has the largest and .most superb fighting force in the world,” said Brigadier McFarlane. “Its training and morale is no better than the armies of the Allies; but it is thought to be' superior in two highly important things—mechanisation and skill in using it. Skill is especially important for the use of sub-machine-guns, and other modern war weapons. It is not like the firing of an ordinary army rifle. j “To put untrained British youngsters up against the Nazis with modern weapons would be suicidal,” he continued. “Therefore, training must be complete and thorough before drafts are sent to the front. _ Everything in Britain seems to be highly organised, and the enormous force resulting from this will presently overwhelm the enemy. The opinion of some high authorities is that the duration of the war will be much shorter than was at first expected, and it goes without saying that we shall be victorious."