OFFICERS TO SHOOT THEIR MEN.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 10174, 13 September 1915, Page 7

OFFICERS TO SHOOT THEIR MEN.

TURKISH QRDEK. FIGHT TILL LAST MAN KILLED. FREMANTLE. SKPT. 15. In a despatch in the English press, Sir lan Hamilton quotes the following from Turkish divisional orders found on the battlefield: Thorc is nothing that causes us more eorrow,, increase the courage of the enemy, and encourages him tO> attack inore freeiy, causing us great losses, "than the losing of these trenches. Henceforth commanders who surrender their trenches—from whatever side the attack may come—before the lust man is killed will be punished in the same way as if they had run away. Especially will the commanders of units told off to guard a certain front be punished if, instead of thinking about their work, supporting their unit, and giving information to a higher command, they only take action after a regrettable incident has taken, place. I hope that this will not occur again. | I give notice that if it docs I shall carry out punishment. I do not desire to seo a blot made on the ccurage of our men by those who escape from the trenches to avoid the rifle and machine-gun fire of the enemy. Henceforth. I shall hold responsible all officers who do not shoot with their revolvers all privates who try to escape from the trenches on any pretext. Commander of the Eleventh Division. I RIFAAT. COLONEL. I To the copy from which this extract was taken, the follow frig note is appended to the commander of the First, Battalion: The contents will bo communicated to the officers, and I promise to carry out orderstill the last drop of our blood has been shed. Sign and return. (Signed). HASSAN. Commander 127 th Regiment. Then follow tho isignaturcs of company commanders.