In 1915 a clergyman from Tasmania the Rev Frank Bethune enlisted in the Army - he could have chosen the rank of major and become a Padre but instead chose to be a commissioned officer (2nd Lieutenant) in an infantry unit. By March 1918 he was a Lieutenant with the 3rd Machine Gun Company and at that time the German army was using new tactics (including the use of "storm troopers") and had re-captured much ground. Bethune's section was tasked with the defence of an area of the Ypres Salient known as Buff Bank - while his whole section volunteered he chose 6 men to defend the position alongside himself. Meanwhile the nearby Australian and British troops were moved back to prepare for counter attacks leaving the 7 men dangerously exposed to attack.
On 13th March 1918 Bethune wrote his orders to his section as follows:
Special Orders to No 1 Section 13/3/18
(1) This position will be held, and the Section will remain here until relieved.
(2) The enemy cannot be allowed to interfere with this programme.
(3) If the Section cannot remain here alive, it will remain here dead, but in any
case it will remain here.
(4) Should any man through shell-shock or other cause attempt to
surrender, he will remain here dead.
(5) Should all guns be blown out, the Section will use Mills grenades and
other novelties.
(6) Finally, the position, as stated will be held.
F.P. Bethune Lt
O/c No 1 Section.3
Despite continuous artillery barrages of high explosive, shrapnel and gas
shells and attack after attack by German storm troopers they held the position for 18 days. Bethune was awarded the Military Cross and his orders were circulated widely as ‘an admirable model of all
that a set of standing trench orders should be’
Many years later at the 1999 rugby world cup final, Millenium Stadium in Cardiff and the Wallabies are about to take to the field to play France - the coach, Rod MacQueen, gathers his team together - doesn't talk tactics but reminds them of a visit they had made to an Australian WW1 war grave cemetery in France and the row upon row of crosses for fallen Australian Diggers - and then he told them the above story - with the finishing note "And guys, they held that position" As soon as he finished the team took to the pitch without another word being uttered.
How do you reckon they went? Do you think the hairs stood up on the backs of their necks as they stood and sung "Australia Fair"?
The use of inspirational stories in team motivation is very, very powerful and should not be underestimated.
(BTW they won 35-12 against a strong French team that were favourites after beating the tournament favourites the All Blacks in the semis)
