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Hokitika Guardian, 11 March 1938, Page 4

There is reported to he much satisfaction among British Army men because an officer lias been appointed to

the command of a division at the ago of 46, an appointment which brings down the age average. Yet it is not without interest to recall, writes a correspondent of the Manchester Guardian, that that was the age at which Wellington closed his military career in the field with the victory of Waterloo. Napoleon, born also in 1769} was at his best probably ten years before Waterloo. In Ireland, when he was just 40, Marlborough revealed the genius which was to astonish Europe, and his powers were fully developed long before the Battle of Blenheim. Marshal Saxe was made a marshal of France at 48 having earned undying fame in the campaigns of many previous years. Frederick the Great was a seasoned commander when he won his great victory at Ilohcnfriedhcrg at 33. Luxemburg was 44 in his memorable campaign in the Netherlands. Tnrenne was a marshal of France at 33. So the list might be continued both backward

and forward. It may be said, no doubt, that men mature quickly in war, bur. surely the function of an army in peace is to prepare for war should war be forced upon it, so that there may be all the more reason tor having young generals in peace time. If so, there is room for still further reduction in the average.