THE FOREIGN LEGION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18417, 1 December 1921, Page 7

THE FOREIGN LEGION

SPANISH OFFICERS’ BRUTALITY. AN AUSTRALIAN’S STORY. PrMi Aipooiation—By Telegraph-—Copyright. s LONDON, November 29. Mr Ernest Brandon-Cremer, formerly of Melbourne, was the only Australian who served in the Spanish Foreign Legion. Interviewed, he said that he served in the Eighth Australian. Light Horse in Egypt, Palestine, and Mesopotamia. He was wounded and took his discharge in England, medically unfit, at the end of 1917. Nevertheless, he succeeded in entering the British Garrison Artillery, but he did not see further active service. When he was discharged in February, 1919, he learned that he had sacrificed his right to repatriation. He found employment as a kinema operator, tnis lasting for 15 months. He then went to Africa for a year on similar work. On returning to England in 1921 he found trade dead. He traversed England afoot seeking work. Meanwhile, his wife (an (English woman) died. He had drawn and spent his Australian gratuity, and he was now down and out. When the chance offered to enlist in the Spanish Legion he was- one of the first to join. He walked from London to Southampton to join up. Transport troubles began at Ceuta, where the legionaries were immediately surrounded by guards. He never enjoyed an hour’s freedom afterwards. Two days later the legionaries were shipped back to Spain. They presented a fine martial appearance when they paraded at Malaga, where they were enthusiastically received by the populace. After two days they reshippccl to Mellila. Thev were supplied with indifferent Mausers of Spanish manufacture. and with blood-stained equipment which had been take from the dead. He got through three months’ guerrilla warfare unhurt. It was all rifle fighting against the Moors, who had the advantage pf hill positions, a fact which accounted for the heavy Spanish losses. Mr Brandon-Cremer took part in 11 battles. The. Moors were good shots, but they would not'face the bayonet charges, which.the Spanish invariably left to the legionaries to carry out. The Spanish officers and non-commis-sioned officers throughout inflicted physical punishment for the slightest errors, which were mostly due to the British net understanding the language. One noncommissioned officer struck him in the face with his rifle, smashing his false teeth. He suffered from dysentery throughout the campaign, but was forced to carry on. The British had to try to explain everything to the harshest ncn-commis-sioned officers and officers by means of signs. Mr Brandon-Cremer is new penniless and workless.—A% and N.Z. Cable.