Thursday 10 September 2015

Dereliction of Duty and Cowardice



Friday 10th September 1915: Our perception that a major offensive is near at hand is strengthened by the following “secret and urgent” order issued by the General Officer Commanding 7th Division.

“There have been a certain number of cases during the last few months of officers who have failed to do their duty in the face of the enemy. In reporting these cases, Officers Commanding units have almost invariably asked or recommended that the officers may be sent home on medical grounds as suffering from nervous breakdown”.

“It must be clearly understood that failure to carry out their duty, whether by officers or men, can only be excused on medical grounds when there is a physical incapacity. It has been noticed, however, that many officers have been excused who apparently could walk, run and eat well”.

“Under such conditions any failure to control their nerves amounts to cowardice, pure and simple. This fact must be recognised by all Commanding Officers and Medical Officers. The General Officer Commanding directs that, in future, any officers who fail in their duty from incapacity to control their nerves, unless accompanied by physical disability, are invariably to be brought to trial for cowardice”.

“In some cases Officers have been sent home on medical grounds who, if they had been Privates, would most probably have suffered the death penalty”.

“Such a state of things cannot be allowed to continue, and is most detrimental to discipline and to the standard of leadership and honour among officers”.

“The contents of this memorandum are to be communicated as "SECRET" to all Brigadiers and Commanding Officers”.

Source: X550/3/wd

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