THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER.

Southland Times, Issue 17816, 21 August 1916, Page 4

THE RUSSIAN SOLDIER.

Apparently there was an impression in some-quarters that the Russian soldier as au individual fighting man was inferior to the German soldier. So far as we know that impression was not shared here, where the reputation of the -Russian soldier has always been high. He is held in high respect for his fearlessness and dash, hut more especially for bis extraordinary powers of endurance, his imperturbability, and his unquenchable spirit. When the Russians were in full retreat at this time last year it was widely recognised that they were beaten not because they were inferior to the Germans man to man, but because they could make no answer at all to the enemy's artillery. They were completely and hopelessly outweighted in guns, and for no oilier reason than the lack of artillery they were blasted out of one position after another ny high explosives. But the courage of the Russian soldier throughout this unexampled ordeal was something to marvel at. As Mr Uoyd George put it in a memorable tribute after each furious bombardment “legions of dauntless men arose from the shattered earth” and with unbroken courage doggedly met the enemy’s advance. Still the impression that the Russian soldier was inferior to the German seems to have prevailed, perhaps not among the Allies but among the neutrals, for we find Mr Stanley Washburn in a despatch describing the Russians’ brilliant defence of the Kovel salient saying this: Possibly the world will now begin to realise that the supposed superiority of the Germans over the Russians is to a great extent a question of material, not of soldiers. The Germans must now I earn that it was an entirely different question fighting the Russians when they had no arms or munitions from meeting them now that they are well equipped. Probably also the German formations, even their crack corps, have a far lower capacity In a driving movement than ever before, wtrile there is little question that the human material of the Russians to-day is equal to their first line, plus the asset of officers and generals who have had two years’ experience of warfare. It is too early to draw definite conclusions, but it is possible that the Germans' superiority is passing from them entirely, and that another month may possibly see them definitely conducting defensive war. Mr Washburn’s despatch was written on Ist July. Since then the enemy has been almost entirely on the defensive, and where he has attacked, as on the Stokhod sector, he has failed to makp. the least impression upon the Russian defence. To the intense gratification of the Allies the Russian soldier is now fighting under conditions which give him a fair chance, and any comparison, that may be made between him and his Austrian or German antagonist is certainly not unfavourable. The Russian has proved himself a first-class* fighting man.