I think both nations had very special kinds of soldiers "if Australian attitudes were shaped by perceptions of American bravery and potential, American attitudes were similarly shaped by Australian efficiency and aggression" they both had a lot to offer ..... that wasn't always appreciated by the British !! They appeared "brash " and confident and the British were running out of steam and didn't have the same "get up and go " !! Truth be told they all had been fortunate to have served with and received the co-operation of the each other ! Annie
Considering that on the 3rd July 1918 Rawlinson had to step in after a statement by Monash saying that "No Australian would ever fight beside an American again" after Pershing on the 3rd July also, ordered a halt to the use of US troops for Hamel, feeling that it was a violation of his accepted principle of not using American troops to fill out decimated Allied forces. Andy
Hi Andy, Just to be clear. Did Monash make the statement as a result of Pershing withdrawing US support?
In the 1960s I lived next door to a former digger from the 1st Bn AIF, and I remember him telling me that the Australians didn't mind the Americans, and even envied them the quality of their uniforms. However, the Australians reserved the right to criticise the British Army and, more particularly, its leadership to themselves - although Canadians and New Zealanders [plus Newfoundlanders and South Africans?] could be allowed to do so as well. If, in an estaminet, an American dared to voice an opinion critical of the British and, therefore, the Empire, then it was a signal for a punch up. Gareth
Spidge, On the 2nd July he had a meeting with Hughes which did not go down well by all accounts. "If Monash was not challenged enough by this, he had another hurdle to clear before the stretch was in sight. Having faced the acidity of Hughes, on the next day he received a hard lesson in the rigid command structure of the American Expeditionary Force. Pershing, on the 3rd July, received a report from Reid on the proposed use of American troops. He immediately ordered a halt to the proceedings, feeling that it was a violation of his accepted principle of not using American troops to fill out decimated Allied forces." This led to Monash making that statement, so yes it would appear so. Andy
