5 MARCH 1954, Page 7

Ventre a Terre General `Mike' West, who commanded the Commonwealth

Division in Korea, recalls with pleasure some words he once heard a Canadian officer use. The Canadians were on the extreme flank of the Division's front; on their right an allied unit belonging to another division was holding positions on top of a hill. One night there was a flap, and this unit carried out an unauthorised withdrawal. Next morning General West visited the Canadians and asked whether the withdrawal had been carried out in good order. " Good order ! " said the officer to whom he had addressed himself, " They came down that hill so damned fast their cigar-butts looked like tracer bullets."