Passchendaele As British Valour Epic

Wanganui Chronicle, 29 April 1949, Page 5

Passchendaele As British Valour Epic

LONDON, April 27—The Dally Telegraph," discussing editorially the recent controversy in its correspondence columns following the publication of the official British war historian's account of the Battle of Passchendaele, says that the controversy illustrates the difficulties in which historians, even when close to an event, always find themselves. The generation which grew up between the two world wars, says the "Telegraph,” knew very well the high reasons and motives animating General Haig's conduct of the battle. Yet. the fact, remains that between the wars Passchendaele was made a synonym for nightmare horror by the British people and had a definite and deplorable effect upon national policy and attitude. “About a battle which lasted so long and whose scene in its small compass contained many variations in conditions, nobody should be dogmatic,” says the "Telegraph.” "Almost everything that could be •aid about it would be controversial save one thing. No battle has ever shown in clearer light, the valour and devotion of the British and Dominion armies. Whether history reckons it as victory or defeat, it would have broken most armies. It did not break them.’ '—Special Correspondent.