GROWING EVIDENCE OF LOWERED GERMAN MORALE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16971, 3 October 1918, Page 6

GROWING EVIDENCE OF LOWERED GERMAN MORALE.

ORDERS COMPLAIN OF BREAKDOWN OF DISCIPLINE. , UNNECESSARY RETIREMENTS AND LOSS OF. GROUND* Australian and N.Z. (EeVeived 7.85 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 1. • Mr. Philip Gibbs writes;; English and Canadian troops captured army orders completely bearing out what has recently been said about the deterioration of the German morale,.and the partial breakdown of their discipline. One of these, issued before Friday's battle, . states that the Hindenburg line is to be their winter position, and not a foot must be lost. • Another says: The morale and discipline of our men have plainly decreased owing, firstly, to the system of elastic defence leading men to believe that ground is of no value, and, secondly, to the laok of control and example among the officers, and also to lack of personality . .-■•■ among the men, shown by unnecessary retirements, the conduct of ;';.'' < ; . men on leave, and riots such as those at Cambrai, in which the officers' r - ' joined;