GENERAL ALLENBY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12067, 24 July 1917, Page 2

GENERAL ALLENBY.

A FAMOUS CAVALRY LEADER, At the very outset General Allenby was appointed to command the Cavalry Division of tho original Expeditionary Force. It was a kicky appointment for the Allies', since it is acknowledged now on all hands that to tho masterly manner in which he covered the retreat from Mons must be attributed in great measure our escape from disaster. Onco he was nearly caught. Some thousands of our cavalry, practically his whole command, were in danger of beii\g surrounded and cut to pieces by the Germans, who were pressing him in ever-increasing numbers as darkness settled over the land. The road by which he should have retired was choked by masses of transport, guns, motorcars and munition waggons. SAVED THE SITUATION. So Allenby boldly quitted tho highroad altogether, and led his troops across country by a wide sweeping movement, eventually bringing them to a safe position on the flank of the ,i.ain British Army. As an instance of superb horsemanship, coupled with good leadership, this wild night ride by a whole cavalry division across an unknown country is probably uniquo in the annals of warfare. Rom in 1861. the man who is now hammering the Huns was. educated at HaileybUry, entered the Tnniskilling Dragoons, and was ordered almost immediately to .South Africa, where his regiment remained for no fewer than fourteen rears.

After the Boer war was over General Allenby was appointed to the command of the Tth Royal Irish Lancers, a post he held until 1005. His unique gifts as a. cavalry leader and organiser wera then fully recognised., and he was appointed to the command of the -ith Cavalry Brigade. This he held for five years, and it, is but the. simple tr'uth to snv that tho methods he inaugurated in this bra neb of our Service, during peace manoeuvres on Salisbury Plain, made our cavalry the best in the, world. HE DISLIKES FUSS. For public opinion he is said to care very little while his dislike of fuss and show in relation to military affairs was made clear by an incident which occurred during the South African war. At the entrv of the British into Barberton, after desperately hard fighting under French, the. General of Brigade wished Allenby's division, which had greatly distinguished itself, to lead the triumphal procession into tho town. But, though first in every attack. Allenby demurred when it came to a parade of victory. "' ?Jy men and horses are fatigued," he pleaded, and he rode quietly in on the. following morning, when there was hardly any, body about.