Too Eager.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13524, 7 October 1916, Page 5

Too Eager.

AUSTRALIAN SOLDIERS' GREAT

FAUBT.

The Sydney "Bulletin" gives this "bitter cry of an Australian officer after the Pozieres push":— "For Heaven's sahp, teach Billjim when to stop! Hundreds of the finest, bravest fellows in the world are lying out there simply because they reckoned they could do more than they were asked to do and tried to do i*. The plan was to take tw,o trenches and a communication trench, and hold them. 'Me staff had worked out everything to fit in with that. Our fellows took the two trcrtches at a gallop. 'Oh, this is too easy!' they said. 'We can do another.' They rushed the third and occupied it. Then two things happened. The Germans flooded the trench, and our fellows found that they were without supports and must get back. But the Germans had come in behind them. Machine guns and artillery could not help them; they could not do damage to the enemy without killing their own men who were now fighting their way home. The slaughter was horrible, and when it was ever they were too weak and exhausted to hold oven the second line, which, before they could have held easily. This eagerness is magnificent. In' any other sort of warfare it might be invincible. But in this siege war, this conflict of great guns, there must bo the most perfect collaboration. It is a machine warfare. Get them drilled into this. They may be able to do more than they are told. But to do just what they have been told to do is the best they can do. In this business to do more is not to do better. Say it again and again, and write it up in letters a foot long."