VICTORS OF MESSINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12066, 23 July 1917, Page 8

VICTORS OF MESSINES.

"GERMANY IS DOWN AND OUT." BRITAIN'S IMMENSE GUN-POWER. Major-General Monash, of the 3rd Division of tho A-1.P., interviewed in London on the 9th instant, eulogised tho magnificent dash and courago of the Australian troops at Messines, in: carrying out operations in time which upset all calculations. Their efforts we.ro hacked up by the fine work of the staff.

A contributing fartor to their success was the robust health of all ranks. The long winter spells enjoyed by the different brigades had greatly benefited the men. It was difficult, he. said, to form an opinion as to how far German morale was actually declining. The prisoners that came in were mixed lots. Some were degenerate, while others were good soldiers. An airman captured a. university student who showed him a. letter from ids father, stating chat Germany was down and out morally, financially and industrially.

Major-General Monash llius summed up his impressions of Messines :- - ,: The Australians' attack was a paralysing blow which the Germans took lying down. We kicked goals, and they Jailed to score. Behind the British -lrtilirry the invincible munitions are unlimited and of wonderful quality. " I agree with Mr Lloyd George that never before was there an army in tho world equipped with sMch a collection of scientific implements of war. 1 am convinced that we /will win every future battle. The day has passed when our Attacking soldiers arc sent to their doom. Henceforward they will only attack when they are certain of success. The Germans are losiug manpower heavilv. ''The spirit of the Australians is beyond praise. Although all long for home, none want to leave before ihe job is finished. It is impossible to overpraise the junior officers, who have been mainly recruited from the ranks. The basis of the success of the A-I.F. \a such promotions. The policy of disregarding everything except merit has justified'itself up to the hilt. All sections of the force are entitled to share, the honour of the victory at Messin-s." lMajor-General Monash stated that the co-operation of the staff and all ranks at Messines was reminiscent ot the evacuation of Gallipoli. Tho. vigour and the spirit of the men were partially attributable to the excellent rationing, the officers being systematically taught tho science of dieting. As illustrating the sportsmanship and camaraderie of rival flyers, a. captured pilot handed General Monash a, letter addressed to his commander. When informed that, it was impossible no deliver it ho replied smilingly, "Please hand it to tho British airmen. It will be all right." General .Monash agreed, and the. letter reached its destination by aerial post. Generals nowadays are not. troubled by the shortage of gunpowder: the only question is how most wisely to utilise it. It is a common experience tor an artillery commander to report, that his batter'v is idle and inquire if there is any litr'lo job that wauts doing. If he. is told to smash a. section of trenches he replies, " I low many shells shall I give rt —a, hundred or a couple of_ thousand*!"' It is impossible to realise the relict in comparison with the former policv of husbanding ammunition. British airmen are now wonderful, travelling and. climbing amazingly, of the enemy are clever. Recently the General saw an heroic combat sit a great height. A British squadron, seeing a comrade in difficulties, flew up immediately. The German realised that he was outnumbered, so In- dropped towards the earth, lo.OGOft, in a terrible spinning nose dive. The British, thinking that ho was finished, flew off. The onlookers awaited the crash of the machine, but were staggered to see the German flatten out near the ground and whizz homewards.

A remarkable feature with the Australians is tho inexhaustible supply of skilled labour. It does not matter what is wanted, artisans are obtainable. The basin of the Australians' success, considers General Monadi, is the magnificent system of State education, the products of which are woll-infor inert, intelligent nnd self-reliant, men, fitted to servo or command. It is notable that, civilian soldiers have often succeeded where exports failed.