V. GENERAL BIRDWOOD RELINQUISHES COMMAND OF A. & N. Z. ARMY CORPS
SPECIAL ARMY CORPS ORDERS.
Australian and New Zealand Army Corps,
December 1, 1915.
Boys,—I cannot tell you how really sorry I am to be leaving “Anzac,” as I have to do on shifting over to Army Headquarters.
I have not, however, any intention of saying “Good-bye” to anyone, for I trust it is by no means “Good-bye,” as I still hope and intend to see as much of all my old friends in the Army Corps as I possibly can do.
Nor am I going to express my thanks to officers and men, even if I could find words to do so. I feel it would only be presumption on my part, for it is for the British Empire to do that; and I well know it will do so.
My one wish is to be able to finish this war alongside of all my old comrades of “Anzac”; having begun it together close on a year ago now in Egypt, I sincerely trust that many of us may be spared to see it through together, when the time comes to make an end of our German enemies, though that day may be yet far distant.
W. R. Birdwood, Lieutenant-General,
Commanding Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
VI. THE EVACUATION OF ANZAC
SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY