ANZACS AT GALLIPOLI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19762, 8 October 1927, Page 11

ANZACS AT GALLIPOLI.

"AN INFAMOUS LIBLL." BRITISH OFFICIAL HISTORY. ATTACK ON THEIR DISCIPLINE STORM OF PROTEST AROUSED. By Telegraph—Pre '39 Association—Copyright. (Received October 7, 10.55 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Oct. T. Serious allegations against the conductof the Australian and New Zealand soldiers at Gallipoli have aroused, a storm of indignation throughout Australia, Thejproof copy of the British official history of the Gallipoli operations, which has been received by the Government in Canberra, states the Australian troops who landed at Anzac were herded together on the beach and allowed* otner men to storm the heights. It was stated the Anzans were ill-treated and badly led. Mr. W M Hughes, speaking in Canberra, said the man who wrote the statement was guilty of an infamous libel on the courage of soldiers whose deeds wonld live forever. General Sir John Monash, who commanded the Australians at GaUipoli and in France, interviewed in Melbourne, said: "There were no other people at Anzac Beach to do the fighting but the Australians and New Zealanders. They were the only troops there for weeks, so it was impossible that others fought for them while the]' were hnddled on the beach. There is no question that the landing was a magnificent and unparelled feat ot arms." Sir John Monash added: "If there are going to be any comparisons drawn between the Dominion and English troops on Gallipoli 1 may say the Dominion generals were unfortunately compelled to form a very poor opinion of the British troops, with the exception of the Twentyninth Division at Cape Helles, which was a magnificent formation of veteran regiments of the British Army. 1 refer particularly to the British troops which attempted to land at Suvla on August 6, 1916, and to such troops as territorials. "None of these were comparable in efficiency, disciplane or leadership with the Australians and New Zealanders. 1 have the best reasons for knowing these facts, as I had many of these . British 'units under my command at various times." The Federal Prime Minister, MrBruce, stated he had not yet seen the manuscript, but he would make inquiries as to its nature. He said it was deplorable that after 13 years argument should arise as to what the Australians . did on landing at Anzac. The Returned Sailors' and Soldiers' Imperial League announced that the statements were libellous, and they would immediately cable to Earl Haig asking bim to have the grossly untrue statements eliminated from the official history. '