Taught Lessons

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 May 1949, Page 5

Taught Lessons

I persisting with the Passehendaele offensive was that Haig wanted to | “force peace or. the Germans without, i the Americans.” He also quoted Charteris as admitting that Haig never I really believed his offensive would re- ' hove the Gorman U-boat threat. | “The impression of the nightmare of ! horror which this Passehendaele offensive made on the fighting troops and, through them, on the British people, had, as the “Telegraph” has said, “a deplorable effect” upon national policies and a<t it tides between wars,” says Hart “Bui the impression combined with the searching criticism the battle aroused, also produced a good effect upon future military leadership. “Our generals of the next war tool: care to avoid repetitions of Passchendaele, conducting their campaigns with a far better sense of tactical judgment, economy of life, and consideration for their troops. It would he unfortunate if any attempt to whitewash Haig’s memory now that memories have faded, should obscure the lesson from the sight of the next generation of generals.”