2110-2-15-8

14th Corps Troops S.C. B.E.F.

18 - 4 - 16

Dear Mr Buchan

Again I have to thank you for a volume of your wonderful history. This time I have no criticism whatever to make, save only that I doubt whether the German High Command was as embarrassed about the defence of the West during the late autumn as you would make it appear. I fancy that they looked with great confidence to that dispersal of our forces in the Aegean which was so nearly fatal and which you so ruthlessly and justly discuss. I fancy that they expected far more men to be entangled in the couloir from Salonika to Serbia than were so immobilised in the event. In fact, in my belief, we were only saved from a colossal disaster by the rapidity of the Bulgarian triumph and not by any wisdom of our own. The adventure was made patently impossible. Had the advance of

the Bulgarians been slowed down to one of simulated difficulty, I am convinced that we should have walked into the trap thus baited.

Every word you write on this great struggle evokes my enthusiastic admiration. Few, I am afraid, value your history as highly as it should be valued though all read and all benefit, for few can realise as I do the enormous difficulty of getting to know all the factors so soon after the event and the very rare and special quality of mind needed to see the war steadily and whole ere yet the passage of time has afforded a perspective. It is, I am convinced, a classic achievement - and like all classics will be the despair of the would-be imitator. More than this - to us now - no man has rendered such service with his pen as you have, for without you England would still have gone blindly following the will o' the wisps of ignorant optimism into inextricable defeat. To you, more than to any other, England owes it that she has at least the opportunity of understanding the task on which she is engaged. Daily, thanks to you, more and more do understand it, and with understanding there will perhaps come decision and an end of the bunglers and the traitors.

I am looking forward to your visit.

Yrs ever

F.P. Britten Austin