p.

3.

qualities or some of them. But, out here, my
criticisms are directed against officers - & on a
rough average for every officer you have 35 - 40 other
ranks, therefore the officers should have these
qualities in a greater or lesser degree. But, in fact,
all that they have is the advantage of a better
education & upbringing, & those they put to very
poor use. Take my second in command. Belreus
gets the job, simply because he comes from a good
family & went to Wellington & Woolwich & he was
worse than useless. Then Barrett gets it because
he is in the Regular Army & his father is a
Lieut Col & M.C. & D.S.O. - & he is nearly as
bad. Then Jim Headley could have had it from
my recommendation - but he has not the guts
or willingness to pull his weight in the war, to
agree to carry out my demands: for hard work
& efficiency & being hard with the men. And
then Salaman gets it, & though by no means
perfect, is by far the pick of the bunch - he
is a very ordinary chap & has rotted in the Army
for the last six years - but he has some character
& idea of doing his best to help & win the war.
And here & there & everywhere I go, I find officers
commanding Units, & more important people too,
who allow people under them to be lazy, waste
time & energy & money - pass it on to the