Kiwi says Australian soldiers of World War I were bludgers and thieves'

Kiwi says Australian soldiers of World War I were bludgers and thieves'

Anzac spirit has taken a hit after the observations that a Kiwi journalist Australian WWI soldiers were bludgers and thieves.

The comments by journalist Jock Anderson, were made during a panel discussion on Radio New Zealand a new book by former Australian army officer and the Department of Veterans Affairs historian Graham Wilson .

Bully beef and nonsense, Wilson questions the myths surrounding Australia’s all volunteer forces who fought in WWI and WWII -. including the legend of the Bushmen of Australia, which has become a natural warrior on the battlefield

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Anderson said it was absolutely a myth.

“The Australian soldiers were reluctant most of the time, and were essentially bludgers, some of which – excellent black merchants, garbage collectors, poachers and thieves,” said

.

“From time to time, have actually been very good soldiers, but there was no way they can hold a candle in my opinion, for the Kiwis.”

companion speaker Josie McNaught said he was tired of hearing the petition was the Australian national identity forged in the battlefields of World War I, which was described as “a ridiculous cliche” that was “based very little. ”

Queensland back and Services League Executive Director Chisa McHugh, a former Royal Australian Air Force navigator, Anderson said the comments were offensive.

However, “The Australians have thick skin,” and do not think anyone would do harm to the opinions of a man, Mr. McHugh said Paul Henry on Breakfast Network Ten program on Monday.

When Henry said he had a suggestion that the official war historian Charles Bean of Australia “which essentially consists of wires,” said Mr. McHugh bean historical stories have stood the test of time an d remains to be seen if the book Wilson would.

“The athlete made his observations and his co-host made those comments, and they need to support that claim, rather than at the bottom have a go at people like me” McHugh said.

“I served with the New Zealanders. I thought it was brilliant and thought they were great.”

AAP