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From: Nick
Date: 5/7/2001
Time: 8:45:12 PM
Remote Name: 203.21.126.12
Shaun
The only Fitzpatrick record I found was No 685 Fitzpatrick, W. who enlisted in Swan Hill and was in the 3rd Draft of reinforcements. Is this him? That CD you talk about. Do you know if it has a picture of Alf Chalmers in LH Uniform? I saw a display at Parliament House over 10 years ago which had a photo album with a photo copy of his photo in it and would like to find the original.
And another thing. It's pretty common knowledge that Antill pressed for the charge on the 7th August. M'Cay did the same to the 8th and 6th Btns. when they attacked entrenched Turkish positions on the 8th of May and were beaten back with severe casualties. My question is were Australian officers like the two mentioned and Lt. Col. White (who questioned the orders to attack after the artillery barrage ceased) driven to attack at all costs? Certainly the losses of these engagements and ones like Elliot's decision to support M'Cay at Fromelles in 1916 would indicate a narrow view of the planning and execution. Oh, and my criticism doesn't blame them for what happened (ie if they won they made the right decision), but asks if their assessment of the situation was influenced by their training or lack there-of.
Nick.