Sir,—I feel I should step in between Mr Bowman and Professor Boyce, if only to declare a ‘no contest’ (HI Winter 1994). As I said in my book on the 16th (Irish) Division (Ireland’s unknown soldiers), the formation’s infantry (as distinct from its supporting arms) was always largely Catholic Irish. Bowman should not cite my book selectively to imply that I ever said anything different. The letter from Tennant that Boyce quotes refers to transfers within the 16th Division, not between the 16th and 36th (Ulster) Divisions as the professor seems to think. The 16th’s commander explained that the men involved (including those in his Inniskilling battalions) were nearly all Catholics. Tennant’s misunderstanding has simply been compounded by Boyce’s. The question of the ‘nationality’ of the Irish units in the First World War has been answered, definitively, by Nicholas Perry in the May 1994 issue of War & Society. He uses facts and figures, not wild generalisations.
I discussed the widespread ‘racial’ generalisations made about Catholic Irish troops during the First World War in the November 1991 issue of Irish Historical Studies. Mr Bowman might like to read it; Professor Boyce clearly has.
T. DENMAN
3 Worcester Gardens,
Grandison Road,
London SW11 6LR.
Sir,—Having served in the Australian navy for over twenty years I feel qualified to question the manner in which the academic fraternity seem to religiously quote from senior staff officers and assume historical truth. As far as Australia’s involvement in the First World War is concerned the history is far more accurately presented by C.E.W. Bean, official historian, who was actually there and for decades worked to present the history. Another was Keith Murdoch (father of Rupert), a war correspondent who became sickened by the wanton slaughter of his countrymen and incensed by the inept and insincere behaviour of the British high command, who hid behind the censorship of stories from the front. When he returned Murdock presented to the Australian people and government the truth of the debacle. Bean and Murdoch were not restricted by the need to protect military careers nor by the need to be sycophants.
More recently we had the charades of General McArthur in the Pacific theatre in the Second World War. His publicity team fed back to the American press stories of the general at the head of his troops in some of the fiercest battles. In reality he was often hundreds of miles from the action. My point is that I’m sure there were many ‘historical recordings’ of McArthur dodging bullets because the accuracy of his publicity team was believed.
Being of the age to have been able to discuss this issue with veterans of the First World War, including relatives, I am indeed convinced that you are less likely to be conned if you steer clear oft he red tab mob. Blackadder had them well covered.
LEON HUGH O’DONNELL
‘Donegal’,
RMB 1562 Shepherd’s Drive,
New Norfolk 7140,
Tasmania,
Australia.