ANZACS’ PROUD RECORD.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17774, 10 October 1927, Page 9

ANZACS’ PROUD RECORD.

Official Tributes Recalled. GRIM EXPERIENCES ON GALLIPOLI By Cabla—Pres* Association —copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, October 7. In connection ■with the Anzac complaints, the ‘Times” prints the following from the British Official History, which has not yet been published: In a telegram to Lord Kitchener, describing the inspection of the Anzac Corps, Sir lan Hamilton remarked that they were very toe troops. The wording of tile telegram was m the usual laconic style, but in'point of fact no praise could well have been higher, or, as events were soon to- prove, more richly deserved.

The prowess of Australian and New Zealand troops in the Great War won everlasting fame, but it was at Gallipoli, above the beach bearing their name, that their iirst laurels were gained. It was there that they set up a standard of bravery, tenacity and resource, which furnished an example to all who followed them. From the viewpoint of general physique these two divisions were the fiow.er of Australian and New Zealand man'll cod. All who saw them in the early days of the campaign agree that they were probably as fine a body of men as ever stood to arms. ASTONISHMENT IN ENGLAND. AUSTRALIAN OUTBURST REGARDED AS ABSURD. Bv Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian xuul N.Z. Cnblo Association. (Received October 9, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 8. The extraordinary outburst from Australia has frankly puzzled the press, which to-day jmblishes under Lhe heading “War History Sensation,” flic interviews cabled from Australia. Wherever, however, the trouble has arisen it is clear the official and newspaper opinion in England dismisses it as utterly absurd. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent, who is in closest touch abb official quarters, says: “It is most dill'icult to understand how the statements which are quite wrongly attributed to the official historian, have been disseminated. It is hoped that inquiries will throw a light on the source, for such explosions of indignation are none the'Jess harmful, even though groundless in that any mention of lhe straggling official draft, hardly geos so far as Captain Bean himself, and it proceeds to quote a passage from Captain Bean, and concludes: ‘ln any case,' tho Australians established such an unassailable record during the four years of war, that they, feast of any, should wish to pretend that moral exhaustion and a percentage of stragglers were unknown on the battlefield, even among the Australians.’ ”

OFFICIAL REJOINDER FROM LONDON.

STATEMENT BY DIRECTOR OF WAR HISTORIES. By C»bl«—Proas Association—Copyright, Australian and N.Z. Cahla Association. (Received October 9, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 3. Though it was soon discovered that the stories from Australia of the official belittlement of the Australians at Gallipoli were the merest mare’s nest, high officials are keen to disclose that the official history in nowise failed to appreciate the Anzaes’ prowess. The director of the Historical Section of the Military Branch of the Committee of Imperial Defence who was responsible for the publication, says the alleged extracts, such as “the Australians were a disorganised rabble,” have not the slightest resemblance to anything in the official history. It is incomprehensible how such extraordinary misconception could arise, and it should bo scotched immediately. The History of Gallipoli was written by Brigadier-General C. F. Aspinal, a member of General Sir lan Hamilton’s Staff, and Chief of the General Staff at the evacuation of the Dardanelles. The copy of the first draft was sent to Australia for the senior participating officer to see if there was anything objectionable or disagreeable. Ho had Captain Bean’s letter expressing satisfaction with tho draft, and calling it fine, frank, and clear. Captain Bean added: “Any amendments of mine would be too small to be worthy of notice.” The Director continued: “As a matter of fact, the British narrative is far more laudatory of tho Australians than the Australian narrative.”

SIR lAN HAMILTON’S STATEMENT. SOME GALLIPOLI SIDELIGHTS. B r Cable—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cabla Association. (Received October 9, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, October 7. Sir lan Hamilton, in a statement to the Australian Press Association, said: “My opinion of the Australian troops stands open to all in the official cable despatches. General Monash knows it well. I have no second thoughts. The ‘Melbourne Herald’ is quoted as having started the rumours. I would like to point out that an Australian civil journalist was once given my permission to visit the Dardanelles. After a remarkably brief stay, lie went to London and there under Lord Northcliffe’s direction, he wrote a letter for submission to Mr Lloyd George and tho Prime Ministers of England and Australia, in which occurred such phrases as the following: Sedition is talked around every tin of bully beef on the Peninsula, and after the first day at Suvla, an order had to bo issued to officers to shoot without mercy, any soldier lagging behind or loitering.” Sir l'an Hamilton concluded: “Let mo leave it at that. The Australians may be trusted to put two and two together.”