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You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: The British Campaign in France and Flanders--January to July 1918</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Arthur Conan Doyle</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: April 09, 2021 [eBook #65046]</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'>Character set encoding: UTF-8</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Produced by: Al Haines</div> - -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS--JANUARY TO JULY 1918 ***</div> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-front-t"></a> -<a href="images/img-front.jpg"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-front-t.jpg" alt="THE BRITISH FRONT IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS" /> -</a> -<br /> -THE BRITISH FRONT IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS -</p> - -<h1> -<br /><br /> - THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN<br /> -<br /> - IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS<br /> -<br /> - JANUARY TO JULY<br /> -<br /> - 1918<br /> -</h1> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3b"> - BY<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t2"> - ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE<br /> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - AUTHOR OF<br /> - 'THE GREAT BOER WAR,' ETC.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> - HODDER AND STOUGHTON<br /> - LONDON NEW YORK TORONTO<br /> - MCMXIX<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S<br /> - HISTORY OF THE WAR<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - Uniform with this Volume.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE<br /> - AND FLANDERS<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL. I—1914<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE BREAKING OF THE PEACE.<br /> - THE OPENING OF THE WAR.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF MONS.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF LE CATEAU.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE MARNE.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE AISNE.<br /> - THE LA BASSÉE-ARMENTIÈRES OPERATIONS.<br /> - THE FIRST BATTLE OF YPRES.<br /> - A RETROSPECT AND GENERAL SUMMARY.<br /> - THE WINTER LULL OF 1914.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL II.—1915<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE OPENING MONTHS OF 1915.<br /> - NEUVE CHAPELLE AND HILL 60.<br /> - THE SECOND BATTLE OF YPRES.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF RICHEBOURG-FESTUBERT.<br /> - THE TRENCHES OF HOOGE.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF LOOS.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL III.—1916<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - JANUARY TO JULY 1916.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME.<br /> - THE GAINING OF THE THIEPVAL RIDGE.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF THE ANCRE.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> - VOL IV.—1917<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - THE BATTLE OF ARRAS.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF MESSINES.<br /> - THE THIRD BATTLE OF YPRES.<br /> - THE BATTLE OF CAMBRAI.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - With Maps, Plans, and Diagrams<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - HODDER AND STOUGHTON<br /> - LONDON, NEW YORK, AND TORONTO<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pv"></a>v}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> -PREFACE -</p> - -<p> -This fifth volume deals with one of the most -tremendous episodes in history, when the vigour of -the German attack and the desperate resistance of the -British both on the Somme and in Flanders, held an -awestruck world in suspense. A million men released -from the Russian front, rolled across Europe and, -swelling that great tide which was already banked up -before the British breakwater, it washed over all -the front line barriers and threatened at one time to -sweep down to the sea. The account of how the -British Army, upon which incomparably the greater -pressure fell, rose to the occasion and first slowed and -then held the terrific flood is one of the most -wonderful of military epics. At the same time every -credit must be given to the loyalty of the French -commanders who, while guarding their own extended -lines, endeavoured to spare all possible help to their -hard-pressed Allies. This volume carries the story of -the German attack to its close. The next and final -one will describe the enormous counter-attack of the -Allies leading up to their final victory. -</p> - -<p> -The Chronicler has been faced by many obstacles -in endeavouring to preserve both accuracy and -historical proportion while writing contemporary -history. He would gratefully acknowledge that his -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pvi"></a>vi}</span> -critics in the press have shown a kindly indulgence, -which arises, no doubt, from an appreciation of these -difficulties. There has, however, been one conspicuous -exception to which he would desire to call attention, -since a large question of literary etiquette is involved. -From the beginning a series of unflattering and -anonymous articles have appeared in <i>The Times</i> -Literary Supplement, commenting adversely upon each -volume in turn, and picking out the pettiest details -for animadversion. Upon enquiry, these articles—in -whole or part—are admitted to have been written by -the Hon. J. W. Fortescue, who is himself the official -historian of the War. On being remonstrated with, -this gentleman could not be brought to see that it is -not fitting that he should make anonymous attacks, -however <i>bonâ fide</i>, upon a brother author who is -working upon the same subject and is therefore in the -involuntary position of being a humble rival. -</p> - -<p> -Having stated the facts they may be left to the -judgment of the public. -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> - CROWBOROUGH,<br /> - <i>May</i> 1, 1919.<br /> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pvii"></a>vii}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> -CONTENTS -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap01">CHAPTER I</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -EVENTS UPON THE BRITISH FRONT UP TO MARCH 21, 1918 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The prospects of the Allies—Great dangers from the Russian -collapse—State of the British line—Huge German -preparations—Eve of the -Great Offensive -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap02">CHAPTER II</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -Attack on the Seventeenth and Sixth Corps -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Disposal of the Third Army—Attack upon the Third Division—Upon -the Thirty-fourth Division—Upon the Fifty-ninth Division—Terrible -losses—Loss of Henin Hill—Arrival of Thirty-first Division—Hard -fighting of the Fortieth Division—The East Yorkshires at -Ervillers—The 15th West Yorks at Moyenneville—Recapture of -Ayette—Grand resistance of Third, Fifteenth, and Fourth -Divisions before Arras—Final German check in the north -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap03">CHAPTER III</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -Attack on the Fourth and Fifth Corps -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Attack on Sixth and Fifty-first Divisions—Engagement of the -Twenty-fifth and Forty-first Divisions—Attack on Forty-seventh, -Sixty-third, Second, and Nineteenth Divisions—The German -torrent—Serious situation—Arrival of Sixty-second Division—Fighting -before Albert—Gallant defence by Twelfth Division—Arrival of the -New Zealanders, of the Australians, of the Thirty-fifth -Division—Equilibrium -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pviii"></a>viii}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap04">CHAPTER IV</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -Attack on the Fifth Army. March 21 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The Fifth Army front—The story of a Redoubt—Attack upon Congreve's -Seventh Corps—Upon Watts' Nineteenth Corps—Upon Maxse's -Eighteenth Corps—Upon Butler's Third Corps—Terrific -pressure—Beginning of the Retreat—Losses of Guns -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap05">CHAPTER V</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -Retreat of the Seventh and Nineteenth Corps -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Problems before General Gough—His masterful action—Arrival of -Thirty-ninth, Twentieth, and Fiftieth Divisions—Retreat of Tudor's -Ninth Scottish Division—Destruction of the South Africans—Defence -of the Somme—Arrival of the Eighth Division—Desperate -fighting—The Carey line—Death of General Feetham—"Immer fest -daran"—Advance, Australia—Great achievement of General Watts -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap06">CHAPTER VI</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -The Retreat of the Eighteenth Corps -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Retreat of the Sixty-first Division—The Gloucesters at Beauvais—Fall -of Ham—Retreat of the Thirtieth and Thirty-sixth Divisions—Great -privations of the men—Fine feat at Le Quesnoy—Summary -of the experience of Maxse's Corps -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap07">CHAPTER VII</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -The Retreat of the Third Corps -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Movement across the Crozat Canal—Fight of the 173rd -Brigade—Forcing of the Canal Line—Arrival of the -French—Fight of Frières -Wood—Splendid work of the Cavalry—Loss of Noyon—Final -equilibrium—General retrospect of the Battle -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap08">CHAPTER VIII</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE SOMME FRONT FROM APRIL 1 ONWARDS -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The last waves of the storm—The Twelfth Division at Albert—The -Forty-seventh Division at Aveluy Wood—The Australians in the -south—Capture of Villers-Bretonneux by the Germans—Recapture -by Australians and Eighth Division—Fierce fighting—The first -turn of the tide -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pix"></a>ix}</span></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap09">CHAPTER IX</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE BATTLE OF THE LYS -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -April 9-12 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The Flanders front—Great German onslaught—Disaster of the -Portuguese—Splendid stand at Givenchy of the Fifty-fifth -Division—Hard fight of the Fortieth Division—Loss of the Lys—Desperate -resistance of the Fiftieth Division—Thirty-fourth Division is drawn -into the Battle—Attack in the north upon the Ninth, Nineteenth, -and Twenty-fifth Divisions—British retreat—General survey of the -situation -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap10">CHAPTER X</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE BATTLE OF THE LYS -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -April 13 to May 8 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -Desperate situation—Sir Douglas Haig's "Win or Die" message—Epic -of the 4th Guards Brigade at Hazebrouck—Arrival of First Australian -Division—Splendid services of Thirty-third Division—Loss of -Armentières, Bailleul, and Neuve Eglise—The First Division at -Givenchy—Fall of Kemmel—Battle of Ridge Wood—Great loss of -ground—Equilibrium -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -<a href="#chap11">CHAPTER XI</a> -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE BATTLES OF THE CHEMIN DES DAMES AND OF THE ARDRES -</p> - -<p class="t3"> -May 27 to June 2 -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -The rest cure of the Aisne—Attack upon the Fiftieth Division—Upon -the Twenty-first—Fifth Battery R.F.A.—Glorious -Devons—Adventure of General Rees—Retreat across the Aisne—Over the -Vesle—Arrival of Nineteenth Division—Desperate fighting—Success -of 4th Shropshires—General Pellé's tribute—General prospect of the -Allies midway through 1918 -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap12">INDEX</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="Pxi"></a>xi}</span> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> -MAPS AND PLANS -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-112-t"> -British Battle Line, March 21</a> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-200-t"> -Position at the Close of the Great Retreat, March 30</a> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-217"> -Rough Sketch of the General Position of Troops at the Battle -of Villers-Bretonneux, April 24-25</a> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-267"> -Rough Sketch of Guards' Position, April 13</a> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-296"> -Defence of Givenchy by the First Division, April 18</a> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-300-t"> -Position of the Line in Flanders, April 9</a> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-330-t"> -British Line on Chemin des Dames</a> -</p> - -<p class="contents"> -<a href="#img-end-t"> -Map to illustrate the British Campaign in France and -Flanders</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P1"></a>1}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER I -<br /><br /> -EVENTS UPON THE BRITISH FRONT UP TO MARCH 21, 1918 -</h3> - -<p class="intro"> -The prospects of the Allies—Great dangers from the Russian -collapse—State of the British line—Huge German preparations—Eve of -the Great Offensive. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Events upon the British Front to March 21 -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The New Year of 1918, the fourth of the world -war, opened with chequered prospects for the Allies. -Upon all subsidiary fields of action the developments -were good. In Palestine, General Allenby, the victor -of Arras, had shown himself to be a fine soldier upon -the larger scale, and had fought his way up the old -highway of history which leads from Egypt by Gaza -to Jerusalem. Homely crusaders in tattered khaki -stood where once Godfrey de Bouillon and his chivalry -had worshipped before the shrine of religion, and -the cavalry of Australia, the yeomen of the Shires, -and the infantry of London won once more the -ground which Richard of the Lion Heart with his -knights and bowmen had contested in the long ago. -Surely in all the strange permutations and -combinations of the world war there could be none more -striking than that! By April the British force -covered all the northern approaches to the city and -extended its right wing to the Jordan, where -our Arab allies in the land of Moab were pushing -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P2"></a>2}</span> -the Turks back along the line of the Damascus -railway. -</p> - -<p> -On another road of world conquest, that from -British Bagdad to Nineveh, the British and Indian columns -were also both active and victorious. The knightly -Maude had perished from cholera contracted by his -own courtesy in drinking a proffered cup of village -water. His successor, General Marshall, formerly his -Chief of Staff, and as such conversant with his aims -and his methods, carried on both one and the other, -moving his men north until the spectator who compared -their numbers with the immensity of the spaces -around them, was appalled at the apparent loneliness -of their position. By May his raiding cavalry were -not far from the Turkish supply depot of Mosul, -where the barren mounds, extending over leagues of -desert, proclaim both the greatness and the ruin of -Nineveh. Salonica continued in its usual condition -of uneasy and malarial somnolence, but gratifying -reports came of the belated rally of the Greeks, who, -acting with the French, won a smart little victory -against their Bulgarian enemies upon May 31. -German East Africa had at last been cleared of -German forces, but General Lettow Vorbeck, to -whom we cannot deny remarkable fortitude and -leadership, wandered with his piebald commands in -the depths of the forests and marshes of Mozambique, -still evading his inevitable capture, and master only -of the ground on which he camped. -</p> - -<p> -But these distant campaigns had only a remote -and indirect effect upon the war in Europe. Here -the late winter and the early spring of 1918 saw the -balance tilted against the British and their comrades -in the West, through causes over which they had no -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P3"></a>3}</span> -control. Russia had completely broken down. In -her case, with a rapidity which made it difficult to -realise the situation, autocracy had changed to -liberty, liberty to license, and license to chaos. The -absolute dissolution of all fighting power was partly -due to national folly and partly to deliberate treachery. -The leaders of the extreme party had arrived from -Switzerland with a free pass granted by the German -authorities. Instantly they set to work to subvert -the comparatively sane government with which the -name of Kerensky is chiefly associated. Lenin and -his associates seized the reins of power and guided -their mad team up to and over the precipice. It -was clear to any observer that such a frenzy of -insanity must have its reaction, and great pity was -felt for those more honourable Russians who were -compelled to look on at the degradation of their -country. The new super-democracy began its career -by repudiating its debts of honour, and by betraying -all the other democracies of the world. Such -conditions could not last; but meanwhile the Germans -overran the country at their pleasure, practically -annexed both Finland and the Ukraine, and helped -themselves to harvests, warships, or anything else -they might desire. Chivalrous little Roumania, with -the foe in front and the traitor in the rear, was -compelled to make such hard terms as she might—surely -one of the most bitter tragedies of history. -</p> - -<p> -As a result of this huge defection the whole force -of Germany and of Austria, together with a good deal -of captured Russian artillery, was available for the -Western war, and from November to March an -endless succession of troop trains were bearing the -divisions which had extended from the Baltic to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P4"></a>4}</span> -the southern frontiers of Russia, in order to -thicken the formidable array already marshalled -across France. A great Austrian army assembled on -the line of the Piave, where the Italians had formed -their new front, while a second force in the mountains -upon their flank seemed to hang suspended like an -avalanche, ready at any instant to crash down into -the valleys. In spite of this imminent danger the -situation was so threatening in France that half of -the British and French force in Italy had to be -recalled, while the gallant Italians actually sent some -divisions of their own best troops to aid the Allies in -the more vital theatre of war. It was not only the -vast concentration of infantry which formed the -immediate menace, but it was the addition to the -German gun power, in which the Austrians greatly -assisted. The enemy was acting also upon internal -lines and with excellent radiating communications, -so that by assembling large bodies in certain central -points he could hurl them against any portion of -a long arc of the Allied line and depend upon -several days of battle before the reinforcements -could intervene. This, as it proved, was a very -great advantage. He had also used his Russian -experiences to initiate and improve a new form of -attack by which he was confident, with a confidence -which proved to be well justified, that he could -certainly make a deep impression upon the Allied -line, and turn the war, for a time, at least, into one -of open movement. Such was the very favourable -position of the German army at the opening of the -tremendous campaign of 1918, which was enhanced -by the fact that they had reduced to slavery the -population in their rear, and had thus gained a very -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P5"></a>5}</span> -solid present advantage at the cost of a universal -hatred and execration of which no man now living -will see the end. In the hope of being a nation of -victors they took steps which will brand them as a -nation of monsters so long as history is read—a -nation with modern minds but with worse than -mediaeval souls. -</p> - -<p> -The Allies were not without their consolations, -though they lay rather in the future than in the -present. Their veteran armies, though somewhat -outnumbered, had done so well in the offensive of -the year before that they had good reason to believe -that, acting upon the defensive, they would either -hold the German onslaught, or at worst inflict such -losses that they would gradually bring them to an -equilibrium. Neither France nor Britain had called -upon its last reserves to the same extent as Germany, -and behind both was the mighty power of America. -Up to date the American forces landed in France had -not been sufficiently trained or numerous to influence -the course of events, but from the spring onwards -there was a steady flow, and hardly a day elapsed -without one or more transports laden with troops -arriving in the British or French ports. The men -were of splendid spirit and physique, and the mere -sight of them revived the weary souls of those who -had fought the hard fight so long. It was the knowledge -of these reinforcements and the constant drafts -from Britain which stiffened men's courage and -steeled their breasts in the desperate days to come. -</p> - -<p> -Turning our eyes now from the general prospect -and concentrating our attention upon the dispositions -of the British army, it may be said that the -ranks had been filled once more after the very -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P6"></a>6}</span> -expensive fighting of the autumn. Divisions were, -however, weaker than before for, following the -German model, one battalion had been taken out of -each brigade, so that in future a division consisted -of nine ordinary units and one pioneer. Of the six -divisions lent to Italy three had been brought back -in view of the German menace. The line still ran -from Houthulst Forest and Passchendaele in the -north along the familiar curve by La Bassée and -Lens to the east of Vimy Ridge, and thence along the -first Hindenburg Line, with the one six-mile breach -in front of Cambrai. The Third Army, under Sir -Julian Byng, covered the ground between Arras and -Cambrai, whilst the Fifth, under Sir Hubert Gough, -carried it south from that point. His junction with -the French was an indeterminate one and was twice -moved to the south, the second move on February 15 -carrying his right wing across the Oise as far south -as Barisis, eight miles beyond La Fère. There is -no doubt that in lengthening his line to this extent -Sir Douglas Haig took on more ground than his -troops could be reasonably expected to hold, and -that General Gough was given a hard task. It was -done, as was shown in a subsequent debate, against -the better judgment of the British at the urgent -behest of M. Clemenceau. We must remember, however, -that our Allies had frequently taken risks in -order to help us, and that it was for us to reciprocate -even though it might occasionally, as in this instance, -lead to trouble. There was a tendency at the time -for soldiers and politicians to put the blame upon -each other, whereas all were equally the victims of -the real cause, which was the crushing burden -placed upon us by the defection of our Ally. It is -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P7"></a>7}</span> -easy to be wise after the event, but it was impossible -to tell with any certainty where the impending blow -might fall, and M. Clemenceau was very naturally -anxious about the French line in Champagne, which -was strengthened by this extension of the British flank. -There is in truth no need for mutual reproach, as every -one acted for the best under the almost intolerable -circumstances imposed by the new conditions. -</p> - -<p> -Before referring in detail to the tremendous storm -which was visibly banking up in the East, and which -broke upon March 21 along the British lines from -the Scarpe to the Oise, some allusion should be made -to one or two sharp German attacks in the extreme -north, by which the enemy endeavoured to draw the -attention of the Allies away from the district in which -their first real attack was planned. In the first of -these, delivered upon March 8 to the south of -Houthulst Forest, in the area formerly occupied by the -Second Army, the German stormers, attacking on a -mile of front, gained a footing in the advanced trenches -over a space of 500 yards, but were driven out again -and past their own front line by a spirited -counter-attack. The losses of the Thirty-sixth Reserve -Division, who carried out the operation, were -considerable, and their gains were nil. The second -attack was made upon the same evening in the -neighbourhood of Polderhoek Château, to the south -of the Ypres front. Here again some trench elements -were secured in the first rush, but were entirely -regained by the 10th K.R.R. and 13th Fusiliers of -the 111th Brigade, who restored the line. Neither -attempt was serious, but they were operations on a -considerably larger scale than any others during the -winter. These attacks were delivered upon the front -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P8"></a>8}</span> -of Jacob's Second Corps, which belonged to Rawlinson's -Fourth Army, but within a few days Plumer -had returned from Italy, and he, with the Second -Army, took over this sector once again. -</p> - -<p> -We must now turn to the long stretch from -Monchy in the north to La Fère in the south, a front -of fifty miles, upon which the great German blow -was about to fall. It is said that after a tour of the -whole line General Ludendorff determined upon this -as being the most favourable region for a grand -attack. Granting that for general motives of policy -the assault should be on the British rather than on -the French army, it is clear that he could have come -to no other decision since Flanders at that time of -year might have been a morass, and the rest of the -line was to a large extent upon commanding ground. -On the other hand the desolate country which had -been already occupied and abandoned by the Germans -was in front of their new advance, and it was likely -that this would act as a shock-absorber and take the -momentum off a victorious advance before it could -reach any point of vital strategic importance. The -German Staff seems, however, to have placed great -confidence upon their secrecy, their numbers, and -their new methods. Their ambitious plan was to -break right through to Amiens, to seize the line of -the Somme so as to divide the Allied armies, and then -to throw their weight to right or to left as might -seem best, the one movement threatening the Channel -ports and the other Paris. Their actual success, -though it was considerable, fell so far short of their -real intentions that disappointment rather than -triumph must have been their prevailing emotion. -Looking first upon their side of the line one can -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P9"></a>9}</span> -appreciate in a general way the efficient methods -which they took to ensure success. The troops had -been exercised in the back areas during the whole -winter in the new arts of attack, which will be more -fully indicated when the battle opens. They were -then assembled at various railway junctions, such -as Valenciennes, Maubeuge, Wassigny, and Vervins, -sufficiently far from the front to escape direct -observation. Then for seven nights in successive marches -the troops were brought forward, finally reaching the -front lines on the night before the attack, while the -guns, the mine-throwers, and the munition dumps -had already been prepared. The whole affair was -upon a gigantic scale, for sixty divisions, or half a -million of infantry, were thrown into the battle -upon the first day, with half as many in immediate -reserve. Secrecy was preserved by every possible -precaution, though the British aeroplanes, casting -down their flare lights upon crowded roads, gave few -hopes that it could be sustained. Three of the most -famous generals in the German service were in -immediate charge of the operations. General Otto -von Below, the victor of the Italian disaster, with -the Seventeenth Army in the north; General von -Marwitz, who had distinguished himself at Cambrai, -with the Second Army in the centre; and General von -Hutier, the conqueror of Riga and the inventor of the -new tactics, with the Eighteenth Army in the south. -It was to the last, which was under the nominal -command of the Crown Prince, that the chief attack -was allotted. Forty divisions, with large reserves, -were placed under his command for an assault upon -General Gough's lines between Cambrai and the Oise, -while twenty divisions, with corresponding reserves, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P10"></a>10}</span> -were thrown against the British Third Army, especially -that section of it opposite Croisilles and Bullecourt. -Never in the history of the world had a -more formidable force been concentrated upon a -fixed and limited objective. The greatest possible -expectations were founded upon the battle, which -had already been named the "Kaiser Schlacht," -while the day chosen had been called Michael's day, -or the day of Germany's revenge. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now turn from the German preparations -and examine that British position upon which the -attack was about to fall. It was divided into two -sections, a point north of Gauche Wood upon the -Cambrai front being roughly the point of division -between the Third and the Fifth Armies. These -armies were of equal strength, each having twelve -divisions of infantry in the line or in immediate -support. These divisions with their respective -positions and varying experiences will presently be -enumerated. For the moment it may be stated that -the Third Army consisted of four corps, the Seventeenth -(Fergusson) in the Arras-Monchy sector, the -Sixth (Haldane) carrying the line past Bullecourt, -the Fourth (Harper) continuing it to near the Cambrai -district, and the Fifth (Fanshawe) covering that -important point where the gap in the Hindenburg -Line seemed to make an attack particularly likely. -The Fifth Army in turn consisted of the Seventh -Corps (Congreve) in the southern part of the Cambrai -district, the Nineteenth Corps (Watts) from south of -Ronssoy to Maissemy, the Eighteenth Corps (Maxse) -in front of St. Quentin, and the Third Corps (Butler) -covering the great frontage of 30,000 yards from -Urvillers, across the Oise, down to Barisis, eight miles -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P11"></a>11}</span> -south of La Fère. This long curve of fifty miles -was strongly fortified throughout its whole length, -but the position was stronger in the north where the -British had been in their lines for a year or more. -In the southern sector the new ground which had -been taken over was by no means so strongly organised -as its defenders desired, either in the portion formerly -held by the British or in the French sector, where -only two lines existed. In the north a system of -successive lines had been adopted, called respectively -the forward line, the corps line, and the army line. -In the south there was less depth to the defence, but -every possible effort was made to improve it, the work -proceeding night and day, and the soldiers being tied -to it to an extent which gave little time for military -exercises. In this work the cavalry and special -entrenching battalions gave valuable help. As a -result, by the third week of March the south was as -well prepared as the number of men available would -allow. There were not enough to man continuous -lines of trenches over so great a front. A system was -adopted, therefore, by which there was an advanced -zone, consisting of a thin line of infantry supported -by numerous small redoubts, each of which contained -several machine-guns and a company of infantry. -These were to take off the edge of the assault, and it -was hoped, as half a mile separated the two armies, -and the fields of fire were good, that before reaching -the position at all the enemy would suffer severely. -A thousand yards behind the advance zone was the -true battle zone, where the main body of the infantry -lay behind barbed wire with the support of isolated -forts. Beyond these again was a third zone, 2000 -yards farther to the rear, but this had not yet been -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P12"></a>12}</span> -completed. Behind the whole position in the southern -part of the line was the great bend of the River Somme, -which was also being organised as a reserve line, but -was very incomplete. It should be emphasised that -these deficiencies were in no way due to the British -command, which was so assiduous in its preparations -that it rather raised the ridicule of certain -unimaginative people upon the spot who cannot see a -danger until it actually materialises in front of them. -The fact that General Gough had been a cavalry -general, and that his actions in the war had been -aggressive rather than defensive, gave a false -impression at the time in certain quarters. It is certain -that nothing was neglected in the way of defence -which skill could devise or industry carry out. -</p> - -<p> -The general situation then upon the night of -March 20, when the German preparations were -complete, was that along the whole front the Germans -were crouching for their spring, and that their first -line consisted of sixty divisions, or more than half a -million infantry, against the twenty-four divisions, -or about 200,000 infantry, who awaited them. The -odds were greatly increased by the fact that the -Germans held some thirty divisions in immediate -reserve, whereas the British reserves, especially in -the south of the line, were few and distant. The -German concentration of gun power was more than -twice that of the British. The published account of -a German officer claims it as fourfold, but this is -probably an over-statement. In describing the results -of this great attack we shall deal first with the -sequence of events in the sector of the Third Army -in the north, and then turn to those connected with -the Fifth Army in the south. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P13"></a>13}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER II -<br /><br /> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -Attack upon the Seventeenth and Sixth Corps -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Disposal of the Third Army—Attack upon the Third Division—Upon -the Thirty-fourth Division—Upon the Fifty-ninth Division—Terrible -losses—Loss of Henin Hill—Arrival of Thirty-first -Division—Hard fighting of the Fortieth Division—The East -Yorkshires at Ervillers—The 15th West Yorks at -Moyenneville—Recapture of Ayette—Grand resistance -of Third, Fifteenth, and -Fourth Divisions before Arras—Final German check in the north. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Third Army. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Taking the account of this great action upon March 21 -from the north, we shall begin with Sir Julian Byng's -Third Army. The left of this force joined the -Thirteenth Corps, which formed the flank of the -First Army, to the north of Fampoux, while the -extreme right touched the left of the Seventh Corps, -the northern unit of the Fifth Army to the east of -Metz-en-Couture opposite to Cambrai. -</p> - -<p> -The Seventeenth Corps consisted of the Fifteenth -and Fourth Divisions with the Guards Division in -reserve. They extended as far south as the Sensée -River, and were not seriously engaged upon March 21, -though exposed to heavy shelling. We may for the -time leave them out of the narrative. It was -immediately to the south of them, upon the Sixth Corps -commanded by General Haldane, that the storm -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P14"></a>14}</span> -burst in its full fury. Nothing can exaggerate -the concentrated weight of the blow which fell -upon this and the next portion of the line. The -divisions from the north were the old fighting -Third upon the Sensée section, the Thirty-fourth to -the south of it, and the Fifty-ninth North Midland -Territorials on the right. The Fortieth Division was -in close support. These were the devoted units who -upon that terrible day had to bear the heavy end of -the load in the northern half of the line. Let us turn -first to the arduous experiences of the Third Division. -</p> - -<p> -This veteran division, still commanded by General -Deverell, had all three brigades in the line, the 76th -upon the left, the 8th in the centre, and the 9th upon -the right, the battalions in the advanced line being -the 2nd Suffolks, 2nd Royal Scots, and 1st Northumberland -Fusiliers. The front covered was 8000 yards -from Croisilles to the Arras-Cambrai Road in the -north, both inclusive. This front had been -strengthened by every device which experience could -suggest, and was organised, as already explained -upon three lines, which may be called the front, -support, and reserve lines. Its backing of artillery -was formidable, its moral high, and it offered a solid -barrier to any enemy, however numerous. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The preliminary bombardment here as elsewhere -broke out shortly after five in the morning, and -contained a large proportion of gas-shells which -searched the rear lines and battery positions as well -as the front defences. So far as the 76th Brigade -in the north was concerned no serious infantry attack -followed, and save for some sporadic advances which -were easily shot to pieces, there was no organised -attempt upon their sector. The same applies, though -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P15"></a>15}</span> -in a less degree, to the central unit, the 8th Brigade. -Here there were continual blasts of heavy fire during -the day which decimated but were unable to shake -the Royal Scots in the front trenches. Several times -the enemy infantry made what was rather a menace -than an attack, but on each occasion it dissolved -into nothing. It is clear that nothing serious was -intended and that these demonstrations were to hold -the troops to their ground. On the right, however, -in front of the 9th Brigade, the attempts were far -more deadly and earnest. The first of these lasted -from 7.30 till 10, and gained a footing in the front -trenches, but failed before a determined attack by -bombing parties of the Northumberland Fusiliers. -In the afternoon the intermittent shelling became -very severe, the trench mortar fire upon the front -lines being so heavy as to knock them to pieces and -stop all lateral communication. It was a -nerve-shattering ordeal to the garrisons of these posts, -crouching hour after hour in the midst of these -terrible explosions. The bravest man on earth may -find his spirit wilt under such conditions. Finally, -about half-past three, there came a forward surge of -grey infantry from Fontaine Wood which reached -and occupied the front line, or the irregular hummocks -where the front line had been. Every effort to extend -this advantage was crushed almost before it could -get started. There was complete stability here, but -it was known that things were not altogether well -with the Thirty-fourth Division upon the right, and -masses of German infantry were seen moving down -the Cherisy valley in that direction, a fair mark -for the heavy guns. The 4th Royal Fusiliers were -brought forward to reinforce their old comrades of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P16"></a>16}</span> -Northumberland, and the line on the right was thrown -back to get touch with the 11th Suffolks of the -101st Brigade. In this support position they were -solidly linked with the units to right and left, so that -the close of the day found the whole of this portion -of the front absolutely intact, save for the loss of the -obliterated front line. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now turn to the fortunes of the next -unit upon the right, the Thirty-fourth Division, a -composite hard fighting body composed of Northumbrians, -Scots, and East Anglian troops. General -Nicholson, commanding this division, had learned from -a prisoner that the coming German attack would -begin at Bullecourt and then turn to the north. -Such incidents make one doubtful of the wisdom of -that policy of "teaching men to take an intelligent -interest in the operations" which is so often -advocated. In this case flank defences were arranged -and all due preparation was made. -</p> - -<p> -The blow fell even as had been foretold, but the -portion of the line which was crushed in was on the -front of the Fifty-ninth Division, to the right of the -Thirty-fourth. The result was, however, that after -the capture of Bullecourt, which occurred about ten, -the German stormers began to work round the right -rear of the 102nd Brigade, the nearest unit of the -Thirty-fourth Division. The flanking line of defence -was manned by the 22nd Northumberland Fusiliers -and strengthened by many Lewis guns, so that it -took heavy toll from the masses of German infantry -who were moving across. This flanking line was -thickened by the 25th Northumberland Fusiliers and -by the 1st East Lancashires. The heavy blow had -forced back the Fifty-ninth Division, and by one -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P17"></a>17}</span> -o'clock Ecoust also was in the hands of the enemy, -bringing them considerably to the rear of the -Thirty-fourth. Up to 4.30 in the afternoon the Germans -were attacking the 102nd Brigade from the flank, -but up to that hour they had not succeeded in shifting -the solid Tynesiders who held the improvised line. -Nevertheless the heavy and constant shelling reduced -the strength of the defenders, who in many cases were -quite cut off, and had to hold their positions with -bombs and rifles as best they could. Farther south -the Germans, passing Noreuil in their western advance, -had turned in considerable numbers to the north, -well to the rear of the flanking line, so that the British -in reserve found themselves facing south-west, but -fought on none the less, the 22nd, 23rd, and 25th -Northumberland Fusiliers in a mixed line holding -firmly to their ground at the imminent risk of being -cut off, while the 160th Brigade R.F.A. were firing -at ranges of 800 yards. As the German flood rolled -on it engulfed these guns, but the gunners withdrew -the blocks and retired slowly, fighting in line with -the infantry. This movement in turn affected the -British garrisons of the more forward trenches, who -in any case were very severely pressed by the German -bombers, so that there was a general retirement -towards the north in the direction of Croisilles. -Outside this village the remains of the 101st and -102nd Brigades formed a line, and with the aid of -the 10th Lincolns and 9th Northumberland Fusiliers -of the 103rd Brigade held the enemy off from occupying -it. The Fortieth Division was, as will be shown, -coming up to fill the gap, and thus, although the -Thirty-fourth had been curled backwards as if a -huge steel plough had driven a furrow to the south -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P18"></a>18}</span> -of them, there was still no absolute fracture of the -line. Towards evening patrols of the enemy had -succeeded in filtering through into the village of -Croisilles, but General Haldane had already seen that -his corps front needed reorganisation in view of -what had occurred to the south. Orders were given, -therefore, to the 15th Royal Scots, who were still -holding on near Croisilles, to abandon the village and -take up new positions to the west of it. With the -help of the 119th Brigade of the Fortieth Division -these changes were made, and a line built up in front -of Henin Hill for the next day's battle. The general -result, therefore, of the day's fighting was, so far as -the Thirty-fourth Division was concerned, that the -left flank was still in touch with the Third Division -in the northern support line, but that the right and -centre had to hinge back upon it on account -of the break through to the south of them, -and had been compelled to uncover Croisilles and -abandon it to the enemy. The casualties had been -high, especially in the 102nd Brigade upon the -defensive flank. Of these, about 1200 out of a total -trench strength of 1800 were lost, some being cut -off but the greater number injured by the bombardment. -Three companies of the 25th Northumberland -Fusiliers were engulfed in the German tide and -submerged, as were the field-guns already mentioned, -which were fought by their crews until the very last -instant. The 11th Suffolks upon the left flank of -the 101st Brigade held absolutely fast all day, and -by their fire gave great help to the Third Division -to their north. -</p> - -<p> -The next unit upon the line was the Fifty-ninth -North Midland Division (Romer) which had a front -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P19"></a>19}</span> -of over 5000 yards. They covered the important -villages of Bullecourt, Ecoust, and Noreuil, the former -being in the very front line. The 178th Brigade -of Sherwood foresters were upon the right and -the 176th of Staffords upon the left, with the -177th of Lincolns and Leicesters in reserve. In -the southern section of this position was the long -shallow slope of the Noreuil valley, the nearer half -of which came within the Fifty-ninth area, while the -farther was held by the Sixth Division. It was -speedily apparent by the intensity of the bombardment -and by the rumoured concentration of the -infantry that this was the centre of danger. About -ten o'clock a demonstration was made against the -2/6 Sherwood Foresters upon the left, but the real -attack came later when on the right centre a heavy -mass of the enemy surged through the outpost line -and established itself within the support line. At -about the same hour the German infantry struck in -great force up the channel of the Noreuil valley, -and having pushed their way as far as the western -edge of Noreuil turned to the north-west, working -along a hollow road between Noreuil and Longatte. -Two companies of the 2/5 Sherwoods, together with -the 470th Field Company R.E., were caught between -the pincers of this double German attack, and were -entirely destroyed on the Noreuil-Ecoust Road, only -one officer and six sappers making their way safe -to Vraucourt. The 2/5 Lincolns of the supporting -brigade, moving up to the support of their comrades, -were themselves involved in the tragedy and three -companies were practically annihilated. This rapid -German advance, with the heavy British losses, had all -taken place by 11 A.M., and created the situation which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P20"></a>20}</span> -reacted so unfavourably upon the Thirty-fourth in -the north. The Germans having got so far forward -in the south were able to assail the flank of the 176th -Brigade in the north, which threw out a defensive -line as far as Ecoust and defended itself strongly. -Their position, however, was an almost impossible -one, and when later in the day the enemy took Ecoust -and swung round to their rear these battalions, -already much reduced, were overwhelmed by the -attack, the survivors joining up with the Thirty-fourth -Division in their retreat. The machine-guns, -so long as they were in action, caused heavy casualties -to the enemy, but the latter were swarming on all -sides, and eventually the guns had either to withdraw -or were captured. -</p> - -<p> -With the two front brigades destroyed and the -whole position occupied, the Germans may well have -thought that a long advance was within their power, -but in this they were soon undeceived. The support -brigade, the 177th, still barred their way, and it had -been strengthened by Headquarters staffs, bands, -transport men and others, and very especially by the -pioneer battalion, the 6/7 Scots Fusiliers. These -men occupied the third defence line, and from the -Hog's Back on which it was sited, they defied every -effort of the Germans to get forward from Ecoust. -This position was well covered by artillery and -supported by machine-guns. So strong was the -defence that the enemy were beaten back three times, -and on the last occasion, late in the afternoon, fairly -took to their heels. Shortly afterwards the 120th -Brigade from the Fortieth Division came into support, -and the situation was saved for the day. How -terrific had been the strain upon the Fifty-ninth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P21"></a>21}</span> -Division may be reckoned from the fact that their -losses were close upon 5000 out of a ten-battalion -unit. It is true that they had been driven by vastly -superior numbers out of their two front lines with -the attendant villages, but evening found them still -defiant, and, for the time, victorious, with their right -still linked up with the Sixth Division and their left -with the Thirty-fourth. There could not have been -a finer recovery under more arduous circumstances. -It was the last of the Fifty-ninth Division, however, -for many a day to come, for the Fortieth (Ponsonby) -taking charge in this sector, gathered to itself the -fifteen field-guns still left of the artillery and the only -remaining brigade. It was as well, for they would -need every gun and every rifle in the dark days to -come. Four German divisions, the 111th, 221st, -6th Bavarian, and 2nd Guards Reserve, had been -engaged in the attack. Even admitting that some -of these divisions were concerned also with the attack -upon the Thirty-fourth Division, the latter had the -234th and some smaller units in front of it, so -that it is within the mark to say that five -German had attacked two British divisions, and -by the aid of a vastly superior light and heavy -artillery equipment had pushed them back to -their reserve line, but had failed to break them. -It was not a fight of which either nation need be -ashamed. -</p> - -<p> -This completes a superficial view of the experiences -of the Sixth Corps upon March 21. In order to get -the full picture one should understand that the Sixth -Division upon the right had also been driven from -their sector, including several important villages. -For the sake of continuity of narrative it will be best -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P22"></a>22}</span> -to merely indicate this fact for the moment, and to -continue to follow the fortunes of Haldane's Corps -during the fateful days which followed, casting a -glance also to the north where the Seventeenth Corps -was gradually involved in the fight. We shall bear -in mind, then, the long slanting front from the old -positions on the left to Henin Hill and the Hog's -Back upon the right, and we shall return to the Third -Division at the northern end of the line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The night had been quiet along the whole corps -front, which seemed to imply some exhaustion of the -attack. In the morning this lull still continued in the -region of the Third Division, which had up to now -been just outside the track of the storm. During -the morning and afternoon of March 22 no serious -attack was made upon this point, but in the evening -the enemy, having made a lodgment upon Henin -Hill in the south-west, was able to make a powerful -onslaught from the flank which met with very little -success. Its first onrush pushed back the 20th -K.R.R., pioneer battalion of the division, in the trench -called Hind Avenue, but the ground was regained -by the 13th King's Liverpool, while the 4th Royal -Fusiliers loosened the German grip of another small -corner of trench. Up to nightfall the attempts -continued, alternating with bombardments, but no -progress was made, the 9th Brigade beating down -every new advance. -</p> - -<p> -About ten o'clock at night orders reached the -division that as the Seventeenth Corps were falling -back for strategic reasons to the west of Monchy on -the north, while the Thirty-fourth were also retreating -upon the south, the Third Division must retire in -conformity with them. It was no easy task under -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P23"></a>23}</span> -a heavy shell fall and with an elated enemy in close -contact. It was of importance that the telephoned -orders should not be tapped, and it is suggestive of -the world-wide services of the British soldier that -they were sent over the wires in Arabic and Hindustani. -Before morning the weary troops had been -quickly withdrawn without confusion or mishap, and -all were safely aligned in their new positions. Their -defence of their battle-ground had been a splendid -one, and though they had no huge mass attack to -contend with, such as had dashed the line of the -Fifty-ninth to pieces, still they had constant severe -pressure and had withstood it completely. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We left the Thirty-fourth Division upon the -evening of March 21 still holding its reserve lines, -with its three brigades in line, the 103rd on the right -in touch with the Fortieth Division, and the 101st -on the left where the Third Division joined it. A -spirited little body, the J Special Company R.E., had -joined the fighting line of the Thirty-fourth, and did -good work with it. About 8 A.M. upon March 22nd -the enemy attacked the 102nd Brigade in the Croisilles -sector, but two attempts had no result, though the -general British line was now 500 yards west of the -village. About ten o'clock a misfortune occurred, for -a heavy column of the enemy, moving up through -a dense mist, broke through the 101st Brigade and -carried the greater part of Henin Hill, a most important -strategic point. The possession of the hill was, -however, contested most strongly by the Fortieth Division -machine-gun company and by the 11th Suffolks, -who by their valiant resistance prevented the enemy -from gaining the whole crest, though they could not -stop them from extending north and south, which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P24"></a>24}</span> -turned the line of the troops at the flanks and caused -them to fall back. The troops to the south, the -15th and 16th Royal Scots, withdrew slowly to a -new position west of Boyelles; the remains of the -102nd Brigade (it was but 500 strong at the beginning -of the action) fell back upon the supports; while the -valiant men of Suffolk, aided by Colonel Roberts' -machine-guns, still fought stoutly upon the top of -the incline, though entirely isolated upon the right -flank. Finally the shattered remains of this staunch -battalion withdrew towards the north-west, their -slow retreat being covered by Lieutenant Woods, who -met his death in the venture, and by a handful of -machine-gunners. -</p> - -<p> -The chief evil result from the capture of Henin -Hill was in the south, where it enabled the enemy by -a joint frontal and flank attack at the junction of the -Thirty-fourth and Fortieth Divisions, to push back -the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers and 13th Yorkshire, -and to get possession of the village of St. Leger. -The 103rd Brigade moved back to Judas' Farm to -the west of St. Leger, while the 119th Brigade -prolonged the line to the south. A few machine-guns, -with their feed blocks removed, were lost on Henin -Hill, but otherwise no booty was obtained by the -enemy. On the evening of the 22nd the infantry of -the Thirty-first Division was rushed to the front, -and the Thirty-fourth Division after their two days -of desperate and honourable battle, were drawn back -for a rest. During March 22 the 103rd Brigade held -on to St. Leger and St. Leger Wood, and so blocked -the valley of the Sensée. -</p> - -<p> -To the south of the Thirty-fourth Division the -Fifty-ninth Division had now been entirely replaced -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P25"></a>25}</span> -by the Fortieth, save for the 177th Brigade, the -artillery, and machine-guns, some of which rendered -splendid service during the day. There was little -fighting in the morning of March 22, but about mid-day -it was found that some hundreds of Germans -with a profusion of machine-guns ("many bullets -but few men" was the key-note of the new advanced -tactics) were close to the divisional front in the -region of St. Leger Wood. These were driven back, -and fourteen of their guns taken, after some confused -but vigorous fighting, in which Lieutenant Beal -captured four guns himself before meeting a glorious -death. Several times the enemy pushed strong -patrols between the Sixth and Fortieth Divisions in -the Vaux-Vraumont sector, but these were always -expelled or digested. Shortly after mid-day, however, -a very strong attack broke upon this line, pushing -back the left of the Sixth Division and causing heavy -losses to the Highlanders of the 120th Brigade upon -the right of the Fortieth Division. The 14th Argyll -and Sutherlands, with the 10/11 Highland Light -Infantry, were the units concerned, and they restored -their line, which had been bent backwards. Finding, -however, that they had lost touch with the Sixth -Division to the south, they fell back until communication -was restored. All day groups of German machine-gunners -could be seen rushing forward, their crouching -figures darting from cover to cover, while all day also -the guns of the division observed and shattered the -various nests which were constructed. Major Nesham -distinguished himself in this work. Towards evening -of the 22nd it was known that Vraumont to the south -was in German possession, and orders were given to -withdraw to the new general line which this change -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P26"></a>26}</span> -and the capture of Henin Hill must entail. In the -new position the Fortieth was still in close touch -with the Sixth in the neighbourhood of Beugnâtre, -the general line of the withdrawal being in a -south-westerly direction. The losses had been heavy during -the day, and included Colonel Eardley-Wilmot of the -12th Suffolks. -</p> - -<p> -The line of the Seventeenth and of the Sixth Corps, -upon the morning of March 23, stretched from the -south of Fampoux, west of Heninel and of St. Leger -down to Mory. The Seventeenth Corps had not yet -been seriously attacked. We shall continue with the -record of the Sixth Corps, which now consisted of -the Third Division in the north, part of the Guards -Division, which had formed up to their right, the -Thirty-first Division north of Mory, and the Fortieth -Division to the west of Mory, with outposts in the -village. We shall again trace the events from the -northern flank. No serious movement occurred during -the day in front of the Third Division or of the Guards, -but there was a report of concentrations of infantry -and other signs which indicated that the storms of -the south would soon spread upwards in that direction. -The Thirty-first Division, the well-tried Yorkshire -unit, still retained two of its old brigades, but had -an additional 4th Brigade of Guards, cut from the -old Guards Division by the new system of smaller -units. General Bridgford had taken over command -just before the battle and would be the first to admit -that the splendid efficiency of his troops was due to -General Wanless O'Gowan, who had been associated -with them so long. They carried a high reputation -into this great battle and an even higher one out of -it. On the morning of March 23 the division faced -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P27"></a>27}</span> -the Germans to the north of Mory Copse, having -the 4th Guards Brigade upon the right and the -93rd Brigade upon the left. Two German divisions -which had already been engaged, the 111th and -the 2nd Guards Reserve, tried to break this fresh -line and were each in turn broken themselves, as -were the German batteries which pushed to the -front and found themselves under the double fire -of the Thirty-first and Thirty-fourth divisional -artillery. Prisoners taken in this repulse gave the -information that the Germans were already a full day -behind their scheduled programme in this quarter. -All attacks upon the Thirty-first met with the same -fate during the day, but the enemy, as will be shown, -had got a grip of Mory for a time, and pushed -back the Fortieth in the south. Instead of a -retirement the 92nd Brigade was brought from reserve and -placed upon the exposed flank, while the Guards and -Yorkshiremen still stood firm. In the evening the -general line extended from north of Ervillers, where -the 92nd Brigade was on watch, to the region of -Hamelincourt, where the 93rd had their line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The heaviest work of the day had fallen upon the -Fortieth Division, which had dug itself in west of -Mory and of Mory Copse, with strong posts in the -village itself. The enemy attacked in the morning -of March 23 in great force and got complete possession -of Mory. A splendid counter-attack, however, by -the 13th East Surreys and 21st Middlesex at 2.30 -P.M. regained the village. A deep cutting ran up to Mory -from Vraucourt in the south-east, and along this the -Germans sent their reinforcements, but the artillery -of the British got the range of it and caused heavy -losses. The village was held all day, under the local -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P28"></a>28}</span> -direction of Colonel Warden of the Surreys, and was -violently attacked by the enemy after dark, with the -result that desultory hand-to-hand fighting went on -among the houses during the whole night. At one -time the British had won to the eastern edge, and -then again they were forced back to the centre. -When one remembers that these men had been -fighting for three days, with little food and less sleep, -it was indeed a fine performance. One small post -of the 18th Welsh under Sergeant O'Sullivan was -isolated for nearly two days and yet cut its way out, -the gallant Irishman receiving a well-deserved honour. -The morning of March 24 found little change along -the line of the corps. If the Germans were already -a day behind they showed no signs of making up -their time. The 40th Machine-gun Battalion had -done particularly fine work during the day. As an -example of the gallantry which animated this unit -it may be recorded that two of the guns having been -rushed by the Germans near Ervillers, Lance-Corporal -Cross volunteered to recover them single-handed, -which ne did in such fashion that seven German -prisoners appeared carrying them and marching at -the point of his revolver, an exploit for which he was -decorated. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -March 24 was marked by considerable activity -in the Mory district, but no strong attack developed -to the north of it. On the front of the Thirty-first -and Fortieth Divisions, however, the battle raged -with great intensity. The enemy had full possession -of Mory by 9 A.M., and was attacking the depleted -battalions opposed to them along the whole divisional -front so that they were compelled to fall slowly back, -by the late afternoon held a line about half a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P29"></a>29}</span> -mile east of the Arras-Bapaume Road. The situation -to the south had been such that the Fourth Corps -had to arrange to withdraw to the west of Bapaume, -so that in any case the Sixth Corps would have been -compelled to throw back its right flank. The Sixth -Division on the immediate right had been relieved -by the Forty-first, but touch had been lost and a gap -formed, the enemy pushing on to Favreuil. The -Forty-second Division was on the march up, however, -in order to relieve the Fortieth, and two brigades of -this formed a defensive line covering Gomiecourt. -</p> - -<p> -These events had their reaction upon the Thirty-first -Division to the north. When the enemy were -seen in Mory at 9 A.M. they were upon the flank of -the 4th Guards Brigade, which at the same time -could see heavy columns massing to the east of -St. Leger. The Guards at once dug in a new support -switch line towards Ervillers and so kept touch with -the Fortieth in its new position. The 93rd upon -the left was in the meanwhile heavily attacked in -front, the enemy coming on again and again with -a powerful support from trench mortars. These -attacks were all beaten back by the stout Yorkshire -infantry, but nothing could prevent the enemy -from working round in the south and occupying -Behagnies and Sapignies. The British artillery was -particularly masterful in this section, and no direct -progress could be made by the Germans. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the late afternoon of the 24th the Germans -made a new and violent attack upon the exhausted -Fortieth Division and upon the 4th Guards Brigade -on the right of the Thirty-first. In this attack the -enemy succeeded in forcing their way into Ervillers, -while the Fortieth reformed upon the west of it, so -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P30"></a>30}</span> -as to cover Hamelincourt and Moyenneville. The -situation in the morning of March 25 was exceedingly -critical for the two advanced brigades of the -Thirty-first, the Guards and the 93rd, who had not budged -from their position. The enemy were now to the -right rear, and if they advanced farther northwards -there was imminent danger that the defenders would -be cut off. As usual the best defence of a dashing -commander is an attack, so the reserve brigade, the -92nd, was ordered to advance upon Ervillers, which -had already been consolidated by the 91st German -Infantry Regiment. The 10th East Yorkshires led -the attack and seized the village once again, but the -situation was still critical, for the enemy were round -the south-west, so that they enveloped the whole right -wing of the division, which was stretched to cracking -point with every man in the line. Touch had for the -moment been lost with the troops on the right. As -the Germans poured past the right wing of the Thirty-first -they presented a menace for the future, but a -most tempting mark for the present, and ten machine-guns -were kept in continuous action for three hours -upon ideal targets ranging from 300 to 1500 yards. -The enemy losses upon this occasion were undoubtedly -very heavy, but with fine persistency they kept upon -their way, as one-idea'd and undeviating as a swarm -of ants in a tropical forest. A thick trail of their -dead marked their westward road. -</p> - -<p> -There had been comparative quiet at the north -of the line so that the narrative may still concern -itself with the situation which centred round the -Thirty-first Division. The relief of the Fortieth upon -the right was now long overdue, and the men had -been worked to the bone, but the fact that Solly-Flood's -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P31"></a>31}</span> -Forty-second Division had been deflected to -the south withheld their succours. The Forty-first -(Lawford), however, was gradually coming into action -and thickening their shredded lines. Sapignies in -the extreme south of the corps area had been taken -by the Germans, but was recaptured in the morning -of March 25 by parts of the 120th Brigade working -with the 127th Brigade of the Forty-first Division. -Strong German reinforcements came up, however, and -the British line was pushed back in this quarter to -the north-west until it crossed the high ground east -of Gomiecourt. This southern sector was handed -over before noon from the Sixth Corps to the Fourth, -and in the evening the remains of the Fortieth -Division were finally drawn out, having finished a -splendid spell of service. The strain upon General -Ponsonby, and upon his three Brigadiers, Crozier, -Campbell, and Forbes, had been enormous, but under -the most extreme pressure their units had always -maintained the line. Part of the 126th Brigade of -the Forty-second Division was now on the immediate -right of the Thirty-first Division, the 10th -Manchesters connecting up with the 11th East Yorks -and doing great work in covering that flank. -</p> - -<p> -It has already been recorded how the 92nd Brigade, -all of East Yorkshire, had beaten the 91st Prussian -Regiment out of the village of Ervillers. A second -regiment of the 2nd Guards Reserve Division, the -77th, essayed the adventure of turning the Yorkshiremen -out, but met with a bloody repulse. "It was -a sight to see," says one who was present. "We -were only a battalion, probably 800 strong, while -he had massed artillery and many thousands of -infantry. They came over to us in columns, and they -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P32"></a>32}</span> -kept coming. They swarmed towards us, but they -made no progress, and we could not shoot fast enough. -For three and a half hours they came, and for three -and a half hours we knocked them out. They were -falling like ripe corn before the reaper. As fast as -they fell others took their places, but they could not -move the East Yorks." The 2nd Guards Reserve -were worn out by this experience, and it must be -admitted that their service in the battle had been -long and arduous. They were relieved by the 16th -Bavarians and the 239th Division, so that there -was no surcease in the endless pressure. -</p> - -<p> -At 1.15 the 93rd West Yorkshires upon the left of -the line were attacked, but could no more be shifted -than their brother Tykes in the south. The German -stormers never reached the line, partly owing to the -excellent barrage and partly to the steady rifle-fire. -After a long interval of following false gods, such -as bombs and rifle grenades, the British soldier was -reasserting himself once more as the best average -shot of all the forces engaged, though it must be -admitted that the specialised German snipers with -their weapons of precision were of a high excellence. -All day the division stood its ground and hit back -hard at every attack, but by evening the salient had -become so extreme that it was necessary to readjust -the line. They fell back, therefore, the 92nd covering -the operation, and took up the line from Moyenneville -to Ablainzeville, where they faced round on the -morning of March 26, the 92nd on the right of the -line, the 93rd upon the left, and the 4th Guards in -reserve. On their north lay the division of Guards, -on their south the Forty-second Division. -</p> - -<p> -It was on this morning that an incident occurred -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P33"></a>33}</span> -leading to the loss of a village, but also to a singular -instance of military virtue. It is the episode of -Moyenneville and of the 15th West Yorkshire -Battalion. It appears that an officer in a state of -concussion from the explosion of a shell, sent an -order to the left of the line that they should retire. -The Guards and other observers were surprised -to see two British battalions walking back with -sloped arms under no pressure from the enemy. -By some chance the mistaken order did not reach -the 15th West Yorkshires, who remained isolated in -their position, and Colonel Twiss refused to follow -the brigade until a positive command should arrive. -In their loneliness they extended each flank in search -of a friend, and finally stretched their left into -Moyenneville village, which they found already -strongly occupied by the Germans. To many minds -this would have appeared to be an excellent excuse -for retirement, but its effect upon the Yorkshire -temperament was that they instantly attacked the -village and drove the intruders out. One considerable -body of Germans was driven down into a hollow and -pelted with bullets until the survivors raised the -white flag. Very large numbers of German wounded -lay in and around the village, but it was not possible -to send them to the rear. The enemy attacked -Moyenneville again, but the battalion covered the -western exits and denied all egress. For the whole -of that day, the whole night, and up to the afternoon -of March 27, this heroic body of infantry held their -ground, though shot at from every side and nearly -surrounded. Not one yard backwards would they -budge without a definite written order. Not only -did they hold their own front but their machine-guns -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P34"></a>34}</span> -played upon nine successive waves of Germans -advancing from Courcelles to Ayette, and sorely -hampered their movements to the south. They -covered 2000 yards for thirty-six hours and relieved -the front of the Thirty-first Division from pressure -during that time. When at last the survivors made -their way back only four officers and forty men -represented that gallant battalion. Colonel Twiss -was among the missing. "This battalion," says the -official record, "by its brave action relieved the -pressure on our front throughout the whole day and -gave the division time to establish its position near -Ayette." It was as well that this pressure should -have been taken off, for both upon the 26th and the -27th the ammunition question had become serious, -and disaster might have followed a more extended -action. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -If we continue to follow the fortunes of the Thirty-first -Division, so as to bring them to their natural -term, we find it now covering the line from Ayette -in the south to Ablainzeville. The enemy were -driving up on the right of the division between -Courcelles and Ablainzeville, a space which was -covered by the 92nd Brigade, who were fighting as -brilliantly as ever. Touch had been lost with the -Forty-second upon March 27. The East Yorkshires -lost their outpost line four times this morning and -four times they cleared it with the bayonet. Colonel -Rickman, the senior officer on the spot, fought for -every inch of ground as he retired before the -ever-increasing pressure. Finally the 92nd, worn to rags, -were ordered to reform behind the 4th Guards Brigade -at Ayette, but so high was their spirit that when -during the night there was word that the Guards -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P35"></a>35}</span> -were themselves hard pressed they eagerly sent help -forward to them, while the Guards, with equal chivalry -of spirit, strictly limited the number who should -come. About six in the evening the Guards threw -out a line to the south and joined up with the 10th -Manchesters of the Forty-second Division to the -west of Ablainzeville, so that the line was once more -complete. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -March 28 found the battle still raging in front of -the division, which had now been engaged for four -days without a break and had beaten off the attacks -of five separate German divisions. Two attacks were -made, the one upon the 93rd Brigade, the other upon -the Guards. Each attack got into the line and each -was pitchforked out again. So broken was the -enemy that they were seen retiring in crowds towards -the north-east under a canopy of shrapnel. The -British barrage was particularly good that day, and -many assaulting units were beaten into pieces by it. -The division was terribly worn, and the men could -hardly stand for exhaustion, and yet it was a glad -thought that the last glimpse which their weary and -bloodshot eyes had of their enemy was his broken -hordes as they streamed away from the front which -they had failed to break. So thin were the ranks -that the pioneer battalion, the 12th Yorkshire Light -Infantry, was brought up to form the line. The -Guards had taken their position somewhat to the -west of Ayette, and some of the enemy from the -south filtered into the village, but they were shortly -afterwards put out again by Shute's Thirty-second -Division, which had come up for the relief. There -was no attack upon the 29th, and upon the 30th the -Thirty-first was able to withdraw, having established -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P36"></a>36}</span> -a record which may have been equalled but cannot -have been surpassed by any division in this great -battle. Five German divisions, the 111th, 2nd -Guards Reserve, 239th and 16th Bavarians, and 1st -Guards Reserve, had been wholly or partially engaged -with the Thirty-first. Both sides had lost heavily -and were exhausted. It was here, near Ervillers, -that a German war correspondent has described how -he saw the long line of German and British wounded -lying upon either side of the main road. -</p> - -<p> -It has been stated that the Thirty-second Division -carried Ayette after this unit had relieved the Thirty-first -Division, and the operation may be treated here -to preserve continuity of narrative. It was of more -than local importance, as it was one of the earliest -indications that the British army was still full of -fight and that in spite of every disadvantage it -meant to hit back at every opportunity. On taking -over his section of the front, General Shute found -before him the village of Ayette, which was strongly -held, but was on the forward slope of a hill so that it -could obtain little help from the German guns. He -at once determined to attack. The 15th Highland -Light Infantry of the 14th Brigade were directed -upon the village on the night of April 2, while the -96th Brigade continued the attack to the south. -The result was a very heartening little success. -Three companies of the Highlanders, numbering -under 300 in all, carried the village, though it was -held by a German battalion. On the right, the -16th Lancashire Fusiliers made the attack, and in -spite of one check, which was set right by the personal -intervention of General Girdwood of the 96th Brigade, -the objectives were reached. The two attacks were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P37"></a>37}</span> -skilfully connected up by the 5/6th Royal Scots, while -a party of sappers of the 206th Field Company under -Lieutenant Cronin followed on the heels of the -infantry and quickly consolidated. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Whilst these stirring events had been in progress -in the south, the north of the line had slowly drawn -back in order to preserve conformity. The Seventeenth -Corps, as already stated, were to the west of -Monchy, and the left of the Sixth Corps was on the -line of Henin, where the Third Division occupied a -strong defensive position. This was strongly attacked -upon the forenoon of March 24; especially on the -8th Brigade front, which was the right of the line, the -Germans swarming up from the south-east of Henin -and trying hard to work up the Henin-Neuville -Vitasse Road. This attack fell particularly upon the -1st Scots Fusiliers, and it was completely repulsed -with heavy losses, though it was facilitated by the -sunken roads which converged upon Henin. The -Germans in their retirement had to pass along a slope -where once again they lost heavily. -</p> - -<p> -Shortly after noon the left of the Third Division -was also attacked, and the enemy obtained a -temporary footing between the 1st Gordons and 8th -Royal Lancasters of the 76th Brigade. From this -he was very soon ejected, and though many bombing -attacks were pushed with great resolution they had -no results. March 25 was quiet upon the front of -the Third Division, though the right of the Guards -Division to the south near Boyelles was subjected to -one heavy unsuccessful attack. That evening both -the Guards and the Third Division had to make some -retraction of their line in order to conform to the -situation already described in the south, but March 26 -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P38"></a>38}</span> -passed without an attack, the soldiers listening with -anxious impatience to the roar of battle on their -right, unable to see the fight, and yet keenly conscious -that their own lives might depend upon its results. -The 27th was also a day of anxious expectancy, -culminating upon the 28th in a very severe battle, -which was the greater test coming after so long a -period of strain. All three brigades were in the line, -the 8th upon the right, 9th in the centre, and 76th -in the north. Still farther to the north was the -44th Highland Brigade of Reed's Fifteenth Division -upon which the storm first burst. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth and Seventeenth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -This brigade at 6.45 was assailed by a bombardment -of so severe a character that its trenches were -completely destroyed. The German infantry pushed -home behind this shattering fire and drove back the -front line of the Highlanders. This enabled them -to get behind the left flank of the 2nd Suffolks and -nearly surround them, while at the same time they -pierced the front of the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers -on their right. The front line of the 8th Royal -Lancasters had also been penetrated, and the British -infantry were pushed back and split up into various -small squads of men, intermingled in the north with -Highlanders of the 44th Brigade, and all fighting -desperately with the enemy swarming thickly upon -them. By 9.45 the whole front was in German -hands. Enemy field-guns were lining Wancourt -Ridge, and as the shattered formations tried to form -a new line they were heavily shelled by them. The -loss in officers and men was very heavy, Colonel -James of the Royal Lancasters being among the dead. -The withdrawal was made to the reserve line, which -the 44th Brigade had already occupied in the north. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P39"></a>39}</span> -This included the village of Neuville Vitasse which -became untenable from shell-fire, and into the northern -portion of which the enemy was able to push, but in -the main the reserve system was occupied, the movement -being covered by some of the 1st Gordons. -At this point an equilibrium was attained and the -enemy held after as desperate a conflict as any -troops could be called upon to endure. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the right of the 76th Brigade the 9th Brigade -had also been fighting very hard, and been compelled -to yield some ground before the overpowering weight -of the attack, especially that of the preliminary -trench-mortar fire. The first enemy advance in the -morning was completely beaten off with great loss. -A second attack had driven in the 8th Brigade on -the right, which enabled the Germans to get behind the -two companies of the 13th King's Liverpool who were -in the front line. These men fought to the end and -were last seen standing on the parapet without a -thought of surrender. At the same time a company -of the Northumberland Fusiliers on their left shared -their fate, save for one officer and twelve men -who survived. The front line of the 8th Brigade -had now ceased to exist, but the reserve line still -held. An attack upon the 7th Shropshires who, with -the remains of the other battalions, held on to it, -was successfully shattered, even the battalion -headquarters being brought into the desperate battle, -while the guns on each side fought as hard as the -infantry, barrage and attack succeeding each other -with mechanical accuracy, and being answered by -an equally efficient barrage and defence, for the -British guns were extraordinarily well handled that -day. About mid-day the enemy got a lodgment -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P40"></a>40}</span> -on the right of the reserve line, but the Fusiliers, -whose Colonel, Moulton Barrett, had been hit, and -the 13th King's still fought furiously for what was -left, and retained their ground until dusk, when they -were drawn back into the reserve line in order to -conform with the 76th Brigade. -</p> - -<p> -The 8th Brigade upon the extreme right of the -division had also endured heavy losses in men and -some loss in ground. The front line was held by -companies of the 1st Scots Fusiliers and of the 7th -Shropshires. The enemy, after an unsuccessful -attempt, got into the trenches of the latter and -bombed their way along them, clearing that section -of the front. It was bomb against rifle in the tortuous -ditches, and the bomb proved the more handy weapon. -The Scots Fusiliers, who were the next to be assailed, -made shift with rifle-grenades, but these also ran -short, and they were forced back, so that the survivors -of the two front companies were driven across the -Arras-Bapaume Road. Finally, as in the case of -the other brigades, the reserve line was successfully -maintained until evening. -</p> - -<p> -No soldiers could have fought with greater bravery -and skill than did the Third Division on March 28. -They were assailed by at least three German divisions -and by a crushing artillery, but they disputed every -inch of ground, and finally fought their formidable -adversary to such a complete standstill that he could -not, with several hours of daylight at his disposal, -and disorganised ranks before him, continue his -attacks. It is true that he secured Henin and -Neuville Vitasse, but he paid a rich price in blood. -So broken were the enemy that the British wounded -came back through their ranks without let or -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P41"></a>41}</span> -hindrance. A strong counter would have swept them -out of the ground that they had gained, but neither -the Third nor the Fifteenth, which had endured an -equal attack upon the left, was in a condition to -advance, while the Guards had been already withdrawn -in accordance with the situation on their right. -The blow which the Germans had received was -shown even more clearly by their failure to attack -upon the next day. On March 30 the Third Division -was relieved by the Second Canadians. Their record -was a great one, and their losses, 139 officers and 3500 -men, were a measure of their services. In nine days, -before a vastly superior force, they had only gone -back 7000 yards, most of which was strategic -withdrawal. Well might General Byng say, "By their -conduct they have established a standard of endurance -and determination that will be a model for all time." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventeenth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -This desperate German attack on March 28 to -the north of the British line had spread right across -the face of the Fifteenth Scottish Division through -the line of Orange Hill and on to Telegraph Hill, -finally involving the Fourth Division on the other -side of the Scarpe, and the right-hand unit of the -Thirteenth Corps on their left, so that Horne's -First Army was now drawn into the fray, which -reached as far north as Oppy and Gavrelle. Along -the whole of this long front there was constant fighting, -which in the case of the Fifteenth Division was as -desperate as that of the Third. All three brigades -were in the line, each of them having two battalions -in front and one in reserve. Never has the grand -tough Scottish fibre been more rudely tested than -on this terrible day of battle, and never has it stood -the strain more splendidly. General Reed's men -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P42"></a>42}</span> -undoubtedly saved Arras and held up at least six -German divisions which broke themselves on that -rugged and impenetrable line, formed in the first -instance by the 7th Camerons upon the right, the -13th Royal Scots in the centre, the 9th Black Watch -and 7/8 Scots Borderers on the left. As already -told, the shattering bombardment destroyed a large -part of the right front, burying the garrison amid the -ruins of their trenches, near their junction with the -Third Division. Some fifty Camerons, under Colonel -MacLeod, fought most desperately round their -headquarters, and then fell back slowly upon the 8/10 -Gordons, who were holding the Neuville Vitasse -trench behind them. This was about 6 A.M. By -7.40 the whole front line, shot to pieces and with -their right flank gone, readjusted their line to -correspond, winding up near the Feuchy Road. There -was no rest nor respite, however, for the whole German -plan of campaign depended upon their getting Arras, -so they poured forward their waves of attack regardless -of losses. It was a really desperate battle in -which the Scots, lying in little groups among the -shell-holes and ditches, mowed the Germans down -as they swarmed up to them, but were themselves -occasionally cut off and overpowered as the stormers -found the gaps and poured through them. The -pressure was very great on the front of the Black -Watch, north of the Cambrai Road, and there General -Reed determined upon a counter-attack, for which -he could only spare a single company of the 10th -Scottish Rifles. In spite of the small numbers it was -carried out with such dash, under the personal lead of -Colonel Stanley Clarke, that the front was cleared for -a time, and the Germans thrown back east of Feuchy. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P43"></a>43}</span> -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventeenth Corps. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the Germans had made some advance -to the north of the Scarpe, and the 7/8 Scots Borderers -on the left wing had to fall back to preserve the line. -At 11 A.M. the enemy were raging in the centre of -the line, and the 6th Camerons, north of the Cambrai -Road, were forced backwards, the enemy piercing -their front. Up to 1.45 the weight of the attack was -mostly in the north, and ended by all three brigades -moving back, with the enemy still striving with the -utmost fury and ever fresh relays of men to burst -the line. At 3 P.M. the German stormers had won -the Bois des Bœufs, but were driven out again by -the 9th Black Watch and by the 11th Argylls, who -had lost their C.O., Colonel Mitchell. The division -was worn to a shadow, and yet the moment that -the German attack seemed to ease both they and the -Fourth Division on their north advanced their front. -In this single bloody day the Fifteenth Division lost -94 officers and 2223 men, but there can be no doubt -that their action, with that of the Third Division and -the Fourth on either side of them, was the main -determining factor in the whole of this vast battle. -General Reed (a V.C. of Colenso) with his Brigadiers, -Hilliard, Allgood, and Lumsden, might well be proud -of the way they held the pass. -</p> - -<p> -North of the Scarpe all three brigades of the -Fourth Division were exposed to a furious attack, -and lost the village of Rœux, which was defended -literally to the death by the 2nd Seaforths of the -10th Brigade, but the 1st Hants in the front line -of the 11th Brigade and the 2nd Essex of the 12th -stood like iron, and in a long day's fighting the enemy -was never able to make any serious lodgment in -the position, though the rushes of his bombing parties -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P44"></a>44}</span> -were said by experienced British officers to have -been extraordinarily determined and clever. Very -little ground was gained by the Germans, and of -this a section upon the left flank near Gavrelle was -regained by a sudden counter-attack of the Fourth -Division. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth and Seventeenth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Of the attack to the north of the Third Army in -the Bailleul and Oppy district, it should be noted -that it fell upon the Fifty-sixth London Territorial -Division, who for once had the pleasant experience -of being at the right end of the machine-gun. They -took every advantage of their opportunity, and there -are few places where the Germans have endured -heavier losses with no gains to show in return. The -Westminsters and L.R.B.'s of the 169th Brigade -were particularly heavily engaged, and a party of -the former distinguished themselves by a most -desperate defence of an outlying post, named Towy -Post, near Gavrelle, which they held long after it -was passed by the enemy, but eventually fought their -way to safety. The attack lasted from seven in the -morning till six at night, and the Londoners had full -vengeance for their comrades of July 1916 or August -1917, who had died before the German wire even -as the Germans died that day. -</p> - -<p> -It was a successful day for the British arms, so -successful that it marked the practical limit of the -German advance in that quarter, which was the vital -section, covering the town of Arras. There is no -doubt that the attempt was a very serious one, -strongly urged by six divisions of picked infantry -in front and four in support, with a very powerful -concentration of artillery, which was expected to -smash a way through the three divisions chiefly -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P45"></a>45}</span> -attacked. The onslaught was whole-hearted and -skilful, but so was the defence. The German losses -were exceedingly high, and save for a strip of -worthless ground there was really nothing to show for -them. It was the final check to the German advance -in this quarter of the field, so that the chronicler -may well bring his record to a pause while he returns -to the first day of the battle and endeavours to trace -the fortunes of the Fourth and Fifth Corps, who -formed the right half of the Third Army. We have -fixed the northern sector of the battle-field from -Bailleul in the north right across the Scarpe and down -to the Cojeul in its position, from which it was destined -to make no change for many months to come. It -was the first solidification of the lines, for to the -south all was still fluid and confused. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Sixth and Seventeenth Corps. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -A word should be said before one finally passes -from this portion of the great epic, as to the truly -wonderful work of the Army Medical Corps. In spite -of the constant fire the surgeons and bearers were -continually in the front line and conveying the wounded -to the rear. Many thousands were saved from the -tortures of a German prison camp by the devotion -which kept them within the British lines. It may -be invidious to mention examples where the same -spirit of self-sacrifice animated all, but one might -take as typical the case of the Fortieth Division, -some details of which are available. Colonel -M'Cullagh and his men conveyed to the rear during -five days, always under heavy fire, 2400 cases of -their own or other divisions, the whole of the casualties -of the Fortieth being 2800. M'Carter, a British, and -Berney, an American surgeon, both had dressing-posts -right up to the battle-line, the latter being -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P46"></a>46}</span> -himself wounded twice. Wannan, a stretcher-bearer, -carried thirty cases in one day, and ended by -conveying a wounded friend several miles upon his -shoulders. Private M'Intosh, attacked by a German -while binding an injured man, killed the cowardly -fellow with his own bayonet, and then completed his -task. It is hard to work detail into so vast a picture, -but such deeds were infinitely multiplied along that -great line of battle. Nor can one omit mention of -the untiring work of the artillery, which was in action -often for several days and nights on end. Occasionally -in some soldier's letter one gets a glimpse of the spirit -of the gunners such as no formal account can convey: -"Our battery fired two days and nights without -ceasing until spotted by the German observers. -They then kept up a terrible fire until the British -guns were silenced in succession. One officer was -left standing when I was wounded. He shook my -hand as they carried me away. I went leaving him -with about seven men and two guns, still carrying -on as if nothing had happened. This is only one -battery among hundreds which showed as great -pluck and tenacity as we did." -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P47"></a>47}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER III -<br /><br /> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -Attack on the Fourth and Fifth Corps -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Attack on Sixth and Fifty-first Divisions—Engagement of the -Twenty-fifth and Forty-first Divisions—Attack on Forty-seventh, -Sixty-third, Second, and Nineteenth Divisions—The German -torrent—Serious situation—Arrival of Sixty-second Division—Fighting -before Albert—Gallant defence by Twelfth Division—Arrival of -the New Zealanders, of the Australians, of the Thirty-fifth -Division—Equilibrium. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -To the immediate south of the Sixth Corps the front -line upon March 21 was held by Harper's Fourth -Corps, which consisted of the Sixth Division (Harden) -opposite to Lagnicourt with the Fifty-first Highland -Division to the right of them, which famous unit -was now under the command of General Carter-Campbell, -whose name has been recorded in a previous -volume as the only officer left standing in his battalion -after the action of Neuve Chapelle. To the south -of the Fourth Corps was the Fifth Corps (Fanshawe) -with the Seventeenth Division (Robertson) on the -left, the Sixty-third (Lawrie) in the centre, and the -Forty-seventh (Gorringe) on the right covering the -whole Cambrai salient from Flesquières in the north -to the point near Gouzeaucourt Wood where the -Third Army met the left flank of the Fifth. The line -took a considerable bend at this point, marking the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P48"></a>48}</span> -ground gained at the battle of Cambrai, and it was -part of the German scheme to break through to the -north and south, so that without attacking the Fifth -Corps they would either cause it to fall back or else -isolate and capture it. Had their advance been such -as they had hoped for, they would certainly have -placed it in great peril. Even as it was, it was -necessary to withdraw the line, but without undue -haste or confusion. Great pressure was laid upon the -Fifth Corps in later stages of the battle, but beyond -a considerable shell-fall and demonstration there was -no actual attack upon March 21. It was by holding -certain sections of the line in this fashion that the -Germans were able to pile up the odds at those places -which were actually attacked. -</p> - -<p> -It will be possible to describe the sequence of -events with considerably less detail in this and other -sectors of the line, since the general conditions of -attack and defence may be taken as similar to that -already described. Here also the bombardment -began with its full shattering force of high explosive, -blue cross invisible gas, mustard gas, phosgene, and -every other diabolical device which the German -chemist has learned to produce and the British to -neutralise. In the case of the British infantry, many -of them had to wear their gas masks for eight hours -on end, and the gunners were in even worse plight; -but these appliances, which will no doubt find a place -in the museums of our children, were of a surprising -efficiency, and hampered the experienced soldier far -less than would have been thought. -</p> - -<p> -The infantry advance was at 9.45, the Germans -swarming in under the cover of Nature's smoke -barrage, for here, as in several other parts of the line, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P49"></a>49}</span> -a thick morning mist greatly helped the attack and -screened the stormers until they were actually up -to the wire, which had usually been shattered in -advance by the trench-mortars. The line from -Flesquières to Dernicourt in the region of the Fifty-first -Division was less seriously attacked, and remained -inviolate, but the northern stretch from -Dernicourt to Lagnicourt was struck with terrific -impact, and gave before the blow to very much the -same extent as the divisions to the immediate north. -The 71st Brigade in the Lagnicourt sector was especially -hard hit, and was very violently assailed by a -strong force of Germans, which included the 1st -Prussian Guard. This famous regiment was at one -time all round the 9th Norfolks, who succeeded at -last in fighting themselves clear, though their Colonel, -Prior, and the great majority of the officers and men -in the battalion were killed or wounded. Even these -wounded, however, were safely carried off, thanks to -the devotion of Captain Failes and a handful of brave -men. In this desperate struggle the whole brigade -was decimated. The 16th and 18th Brigades had -also suffered severely, but the division, in spite of -its losses, was splendidly solid, and fell back slowly -upon the support of the 75th Brigade of the Twenty-fifth -Division, which had hastened up to the danger -point. By evening, the Germans, advancing in great -numbers and with fine resolution, had occupied -the four villages of Doignies, Boursies, Louverval, -and Lagnicourt, their total penetration from Boursies -in the south to Ecoust in the north, a stretch of seven -miles, averaging about 3000 yards. This advance -had completely turned the left wing of the Fifty-first, -which was compelled to fall back in consequence, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P50"></a>50}</span> -after stopping several attacks from across the Canal -du Nord. All three brigades of the Fifty-first -Division were in line, and of the three the left and -centre had been seriously engaged, the enemy entering -the front line of both before mid-day, and finally -reaching the second system between Louverval and -Lagnicourt, so that the defence lay along the -Beaumetz-Morchies line. The Nineteenth Division was -in general support in this quarter, and the 57th -Brigade became practically the right of the Fifty-first -Division. About 7 P.M. in the evening two battalions -of it, the 8th Gloucesters and 10th Worcesters of the -57th Brigade, tried to turn the tide of fight by a -counter-attack, with the aid of tanks, against the -village of Doignies. This attack was successful in -retaking half the village, but in the course of the -night it was found necessary to withdraw before the -increasing pressure of the enemy, who brought many -machine-guns into the village. During the night it was -arranged that the Fifth Corps should fall back from -its dangerous position in the Cambrai salient, and by -eleven next day the divisions which composed it were -ranged from Highland Ridge, through Havrincourt -and Hermies, in touch with the Fourth Corps in the -north and with the left of the Fifth Army in the south. -Whilst this very heavy attack had been made -upon the Fourth Corps, Bainbridge's Twenty-fifth -Division had been in close support of the two divisions -in the front line. While the 75th Brigade, as already -stated, was pushed up under very heavy fire to -strengthen the Sixth Division in their desperate -resistance, the 74th was allotted to the -Fifty-first Division, which was in less serious need -of help during the day. Griffin's 7th Brigade -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P51"></a>51}</span> -remained in reserve in front of Morchies, where upon -the following morning its presence was invaluable -as a solid unshaken nucleus of resistance. Eight -German divisions were identified that day among -those which attacked the two British divisions in the -front line of the Fourth Corps. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -There was no attack during the night, but the -Germans thickened their advanced line and were all -ready for another strenuous day, while the British, -though hustled and overborne by the tremendous -onslaught which had pushed them back, were still -within their battle positions and as doggedly surly -as British infantry usually are in hours of stress and -trial. Three strong attacks were made in the morning -and early afternoon between Hermies and Beaumetz, -all of which were driven back. There is no method -of gauging the losses of the enemy upon such occasions, -but when one knows that the machine-guns fired -as many as 9000 rounds each, and that a single -Lewis gun discharged 30,000 bullets, one can say -with certainty that they were very heavy. These -attacks fell upon the Highlanders on the right, the -7th Brigade in the centre, and the remains of the -Sixth Division upon the left. Unhappily, a chain of -defence is no stronger than its weakest link, -which finds itself so often at points of juncture. -Upon this occasion the Germans, continually filtering -forward and testing every possible orifice, found a -weakness between the 120th Brigade of the Fortieth -Division in the north and the Sixth in the south. -This weak point was to be mended by the Forty-first -Division, which had been hurried up from Favreuil, -but the time was too short, or the rent was too wide, -so that the Germans pushed rapidly through and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P52"></a>52}</span> -seized the village of Vaulx-Vraumont, separating the -Fourth Corps from the Sixth. It was an anxious -moment, and coupled with the German success at -Henin Hill in the north it might have meant the -isolation of the Sixth Corps; but the necessary -changes were rapidly and steadily effected, so that -before evening the Highlanders of the 120th Brigade -feeling out upon their right and fearing all would be -void, joined hands suddenly with the 15th Hampshires -of the Forty-first Division in the neighbourhood of -Beugnâtre. Before night had fallen upon March 22 -the line had been restored and built up once more, -though some five thousand yards westward of where -it had been in the morning. That evening the Sixth -Division was drawn out, weak and dishevelled, but -still full of fight. With all the hammering and hustling -that it had endured, it had saved its heavy guns -and nearly all its field batteries. The Forty-first -Division took its place, and incorporated for the time -the 7th Brigade, a unit which had endured hard -fortune, for it had held its ground splendidly with -little loss until, after the fashion of modern war, events -upon the other side of the horizon caused it to get the -order to retire, an order which could not be obeyed -without complete exposure and very heavy casualties, -including Colonel Blackall of the 4th South Staffords. -Each day of arduous battle was followed by a no -less arduous night, during which, under heavy fire -and every conceivable difficulty the various divisions -were readjusted so that the morning light should -show no impossible salients, no outlying indefensible -positions, no naked flanks, and no yawning gaps. -How easy are such exercises over a map upon a study -table, and how difficult when conducted by dazed, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P53"></a>53}</span> -over-wrought officers, pushing forward their staggering, -half-conscious men in the darkness of a wilderness -of woods and fields, where the gleam of a single -electric torch may mean disaster to all! And yet, as -every morning dawned, the haggard staff-captain at -the telephone could still report to his anxious chief -that all was well, and his battle-line still intact -between the Hun and his goal. -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of the battle the general disposition -of the Fifth Corps had been that the Seventeenth -Division (Robertson) was in the line on the left, -the Sixty-third Naval Division (Lawrie) in the centre, -and the Forty-seventh Division (Gorringe) on the -right, being the southern unit of the Third Army, -in close liaison with the Ninth Division, the northern -unit of the Fifth Army. Two divisions were in close -reserve, the Second (Pereira) on the right, and the -Nineteenth (Jeffreys) on the left. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Forty-seventh Division was in a particularly -important position, since it was the flank unit and -the liaison between the two armies depended upon it. -It had only come into line the day before the battle, -taking the place of the Second Division, which was -now in immediate support. On March 21 the 140th -Brigade covered the right of the divisional front, -and the 141st the left, the sector being that of La -Vacquerie. In view of the menacing attitude of the -enemy both the 142nd Brigade and the 4th Welsh -Fusiliers Pioneer Battalion were brought nearer to -the front line. So heavy was the gas bombardment -in the morning that the front battalion of the 140th -Brigade, the 17th London, had to evacuate some -advanced trenches and to wear their gas masks for -hours on end. The front line trenches were blown -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P54"></a>54}</span> -to fragments, and so also were many of their garrison. -The following infantry advance, however, though -vigorously conducted, had no great weight, and -seems to have been the work of two battalions carrying -out a subsidiary attack. By a counter-attack of -the 19th London they were driven out once more. -</p> - -<p> -Whilst this partial attack had been made upon -the Forty-seventh Division, similar assaults had been -made upon the Sixty-third in the centre, and upon -the Seventeenth in the northern sector of the Fifth -Corps. None of them made more than petty gains, -but in each case the bombardment was formidable, -chiefly with trench-mortar bombs and with gas. -In the case of the Forty-seventh Division there was -a considerable interval between the front brigades, -because a number both of the 18th and 17th London -had been absolutely destroyed, together with their -trench. There were several other partial attacks -during the day, but the pressure was never extreme, -and the withdrawal to Highland Ridge after dusk -was carried out on account of the general tactical -position. All wounded men were carried back, and -no booty left to the enemy. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the left flank of the Fifth Corps had -been covered by the 58th Brigade of the Nineteenth -Division, the 9th Welsh Fusiliers being heavily -engaged. During March 22, Havrincourt, Herrmies, -and the Beaumetz-Hermies line were held by the -Seventeenth, Nineteenth, and Fifty-first divisions -against repeated German attacks, and in the evening -the Nineteenth was in touch with the Forty-first on -its left and with the Second on its right. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On this night of March 22 the principal change -was this movement backwards of the whole Fifth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P55"></a>55}</span> -Corps. The retirement of the Fifth Corps continued -during the day of March 23, and was caused by the -necessity of conforming with the Seventh Corps to -the south of it which, after valiant exertions, soon -to be described, had lost Nurlu, so placing the enemy -upon the right rear of the divisions in the north. -Fins had also been taken in the same neighbourhood, -The Fifth Corps was now heavily pressed in its retreat, -all five divisions enduring considerable losses and -having the menace of the enemy constantly upon -their right flank. At noon the general line was east -of Equancourt, and this line was held for a time, but -the enemy was still thundering on in the north, his -fresh divisions rolling in like waves from some -inexhaustible sea. At 1.30 they were pushing their -attack most desperately upon the weary fringes of -riflemen and groups of tired machine-gunners, who -formed the front of the Forty-first Division between -Beugny and Lebucquière. In all, this division, -with the Nineteenth and Fifty-first upon their right, -sustained five strong attacks in the afternoon of this -day, most of them from Vaulx-Vraumont. Eventually -Lebucquière was taken, the enemy breaking -their way at this point through the line of the -exhausted Fifty-first Division, who had fought with -splendid resolution. This German success placed the -Nineteenth Division south of Beaumetz and at -Beugny in a very serious position, as the enemy -infantry got behind the 9th Welsh Fusiliers and -6th Wiltshires, who were only saved from total -destruction by the staunch support of the 9th -Welsh at Beugny, who held on desperately until -the remains of the 58th Brigade could get back -to them. These remains when the three battalions -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P56"></a>56}</span> -were reunited were only a few hundred men. -The case of the 57th Brigade, which was fighting -a hard rearguard action all afternoon, was little -better, and both the 8th Gloucesters and 10th -Worcesters were almost overwhelmed by the -swarms of Germans who poured up against their -front and flank. A splendid stand was made by this -brigade north-east of Velu, in which the men of -Gloucester especially distinguished themselves, Captain -Jones of A Company receiving the V.C. for his -heroic resistance. Colonel Hoath of the 10th -Warwicks conducted this arduous retreat, and his own -battalion shares in the honours of a fight which was -tragic in its losses, but essential for its effect upon -the fortunes of the army. Captain Gribble of this -battalion also received the V.C., his D Company -falling to the last man after the best traditions of -the British army. The 5th Brigade of the Second -Division, upon the right of the Nineteenth Division, -shared in the honours of this desperate business, the -2nd Oxford and Bucks being very heavily engaged. -After the prolonged action the final line of the -Nineteenth Division ran west of Bertincourt, the -movement of retreat being to the south-west. So confused -had been the fighting of the last two days that the -Nineteenth Division which had been on the right -of the Fifty-first was now upon their left. Still -keeping a closely-knit line and their faces to the foe, -the Third Army stretched that night from Sailly in -the south to the west of Henin and Monchy. The -Fourth Corps, which had been so badly mauled, -was strengthened that evening by the inclusion -of the Forty-second Division. The towers of -Bapaume in the rear showed how far across the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P57"></a>57}</span> -ravaged and reconquered land the British line had -retreated. -</p> - -<p> -The pressure here described had been upon the -left of the Fifth Corps, but the situation upon its -right flank had also been very awkward. The terrific -weight thrown upon the Ninth Division had, as will -be described, driven them farther westward than -their left-hand companions of the Forty-seventh -Division. The result was a most dangerous gap -which exposed the whole rear of the Third Army. -The 99th Brigade in the Equancourt district -endeavoured after the fall of Fins to fill this front, but -they were not nearly numerous enough for the -purpose. The result was that the Forty-seventh -Division, which moved back on the night of March 22 -from Highland Ridge to the Metz-Dessart Wood line, -had to reach out more and more upon the right in -order to save the situation. In this operation two -battalions, the 4th Welsh Fusiliers Pioneers and the -23rd London, sustained most of the attack and -suffered very heavily upon March 23, while in the -preliminary fighting upon March 22 the 18th London -had many losses. By the morning of March 24, the -Forty-seventh, beating off all attacks and keeping -their position in the unbroken line, had fallen back -to a new position, the 142nd Brigade, which formed -the rearguard, fighting hard in its retreat, and having -to brush aside those groups of Germans who had -slipped in at the rear. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The morning of March 24 found the German -torrent still roaring forward in full spate, though less -formidable than before, since the heavier guns were -far to the rear. Their light artillery, trench-mortars, -and machine-guns were always up with the storming -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P58"></a>58}</span> -columns, and the latter were relieved in a manner -which showed the competence of their higher -command. It was a day of doubt and difficulty for the -British, for the pressure was everywhere severe, and -the line had frayed until it was very thin, while -officers and men had reached the last limits of human -endurance. At 8.30 in the morning the enemy was -pressing hard upon the Seventeenth and Forty-seventh -Divisions in the region of Bus and Le Mesnil, where -they were endeavouring to keep in touch with the -worn remains of the heroic Ninth Division on the -left of the Seventh Corps. Sailly Saillisel was still -clear of the enemy, but the tide was flowing strongly -towards it. The 51st Brigade of the Seventeenth -Division occupied this village and threw out its left -to the Londoners on the north of them. Bertincourt, -which had become a dangerous salient, was evacuated, -and the line now ran east of Haplincourt and -Rocquigny, the three brigades of the Seventeenth -Division occupying this latter village, Barastre, and -Villers-au-Flos. On their north were two brigades -of the Forty-seventh, the remaining brigade being -south of Le Transloy. North of the Forty-seventh -Division the Sixty-third Naval Division and the -Second Division carried the line on to the junction -with the Fourth Corps, where the exhausted -Nineteenth Division lay across the Cambrai Road, with -the even more shattered Fifty-first Division at -Riencourt to the north of them. There was some very -furious fighting in front of Rocquigny about mid-day, -in which the 12th Manchesters of the Seventeenth -Division, and the three battalions (18th, 19th, 20th -London) of the 141st Brigade made a very desperate -resistance. The fighting was continued until the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P59"></a>59}</span> -defenders found themselves in danger of being -surrounded, when they were withdrawn. The 140th -Brigade, under Colonel Dawes, also did great service -that day in holding the Germans from getting behind -the line. The enemy was so far round that there -was the greatest difficulty in clearing the transport, -which was only accomplished by the fine rearguard -work of the 4th Welsh Fusiliers, aided by the 11th -Motor Machine-gun Battery, and 34th Brigade -R.F.A. -</p> - -<p> -It was, however, to the south, where the Third -and Fifth Armies were intermittently joined and -vaguely interlocked, that the danger chiefly lay. -About noon, the enemy, finding the weak spot between -the two armies, had forced his way into Sailly Saillisel -in considerable force, and pushed rapidly north and -west from the village. So rapid was the German -advance upon the right rear of the Fifth Corps that -Rancourt and even Combles were said to have fallen. -In vain the Seventeenth Division overstretched its -wing to the south, trying to link up with the Seventh -Corps. Early in the afternoon Morval and Les -Bœufs had gone, and the troops were back upon the -mud-and-blood areas of 1916. For the moment it -seemed that the British line had gone, and it was -hard to say what limit might be put to this very -serious advance. By midnight the enemy were north -of Bapaume, and had reached Ervillers, while in the -south they had taken Longueval, the key village of -Delville Wood. It was indeed a sad relapse to see -all that the glorious dead had bought with their -hearts' blood reverting so swiftly to the enemy. In -the north, however, as has already been shown in the -story of the Sixth Corps, the enemy's bolt was shot, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P60"></a>60}</span> -and in the south his swift career was soon to be -slowed and held. -</p> - -<p> -In the Favreruil, Sapignies, and Gomiecourt district, -north of Bapaume, the advance was mainly accomplished -through the pressure of fresh German forces -upon the exhausted and attenuated line of the -Forty-first Division, which still struggled bravely, and in -the end successfully, against overwhelming odds. -In the effort to hold a line the divisions which had -been drawn out as too weak for service turned back -once more into the fray like wounded men who totter -forward to strike a feeble blow for their comrades in -distress. The Sixth Division was led in once more, -and sustained fresh and terrible losses. Its left fell -back to Favreuil, exposing the right wing of the -Fortieth Division. The Twenty-fifth Division to the -east of Achiet found itself also once more overtaken -by the battle. By evening the line had been built -up again in this quarter, and the dead-weary British -infantry snatched a few hours of sleep before another -day of battle. The Nineteenth Division, reduced to -2000 rifles, lay from Le Barque to Avesnes, with the -Second upon their right and the Forty-first upon -their left, while the whole of this difficult retreat had -been covered by the weary but indomitable -Highlanders of the Fifty-first. -</p> - -<p> -The really serious situation was to the south of -Bapaume upon the old Somme battle-field, where the -Germans had made sudden and alarming progress. -Their temporary success was due to the fact that the -losses in the British lines had contracted the ranks -until it was impossible to cover the whole space or -to prevent the infiltration of the enemy between the -units. The situation required some complete and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P61"></a>61}</span> -vigorous regrouping and reorganisation if complete -disaster was to be avoided. Up to this point the -British Higher Command had been unable to do much -to help the two hard-pressed armies, save to supply -them with the scanty succours which were immediately -available. Now, however, it interfered with decision -at the vital spot and in the vital moment. To ensure -solidity and unity, Congreve's Seventh Corps, which -had been the northern unit of the Fifth Army, -became from this time onwards the southern unit -of the Third Army, passing under the command of -General Byng. With them went the First, Second, -and Third Cavalry Divisions, which had been doing -really splendid service in the south. Everything -north of the Somme was now Third Army. At the -same time the three fine and fresh Australian Divisions, -the Third, Fourth, and Fifth, were assembling near -Doullens in readiness to strike, while the Twelfth -British Division was also hurried towards the place -of danger. The future was dark and dangerous, but -there were also solid grounds for hope. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of March 25 the line of the Third -Army, which had defined itself more clearly during -the night, ran from Curlu near the Somme, east of -Bazentin, west of Longueval, east of Martinpuich, -through Ligny Thilloy, Sapignies, Ervillers, and -hence as before. The enemy, whose cavalry were -well up and in force, at once began his thrusting -tactics in the southern section of the field, and may -have expected, after his advance of the day before, -to find some signs of weakening resistance. In this -he was disappointed, for both the 47th Londoners -in front of Contalmaison and the Second Division -at Ligny Thilloy beat off several attacks with -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P62"></a>62}</span> -very great loss to the assailants. The units were -much broken and mixed, but the spirit of the -individuals was excellent. The pressure continued, -however, to be very great, and in the afternoon the -line was once more pushed to the westwards. There -was severe fighting between Bapaume and Sapignies, -where mixed and disorganised units still held the -Germans back, but in the late afternoon three distinct -gaps had appeared in the line, one between the -Seventh and Fifth Corps, one in the Fifth Corps -itself in the Pozières area of the Sixty-third Division, -and one between the Fifth and the Fourth -Corps. Fortunately, the resistance had been so -desperate that by the time the Germans had their -opportunity they were always so bedraggled themselves -that they could not take full advantage of it. -The general order of divisions in this area, counting -from the south of Contalmaison, was Seventeenth, -Forty-seventh, Sixty-third, Second, upon the morning -of March 25. -</p> - -<p> -The Seventh Corps, the previous adventures of -which will be described under the heading of the Fifth -Army, had now become the right wing of the Third -Army. It had been strengthened by the advent of -the Thirty-fifth Division, and this unit now covered -from west of Curlu to east of Maricourt, where it -touched the right of the Ninth Division—if the thin -ranks of that gallant band can be dignified by so -imposing a title. The Highlanders covered the front -to Montauban, where they touched the First Cavalry -Division, but beyond that the enemy were pouring -round their flank at Bernafoy and Mametz Woods. -It was under these trying conditions that the Twelfth -Division was ordered up, about noon, to secure the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P63"></a>63}</span> -left of the Seventh Corps and entirely stopped the -dangerous gap. -</p> - -<p> -Another had formed farther north. The Seventeenth -Division, who were on the right of the Fifth -Corps, held from Mametz to Contalmaison. Thence -to Pozières was held by the Forty-seventh. A gap -existed, however, upon their left, between them and -the Sixty-third Division, who were gradually falling -back upon Courcelette. The left of the Naval -Division was also in the air, having lost touch with -the right of the Second Division who were covering -Le Sars. North of them the Nineteenth Division -extended from the west of Grevillers to the south -of Bihucourt. The 57th Brigade in the north, under -the local command of Colonel Sole, fought a fine -rearguard action as the enemy tried to debouch from -Grevillers. Considering how terribly mauled this -brigade had been a few days before, this was a really -splendid performance of these brave Midlanders, and -was repeated by them more than once during the -day. From their left flank to the north stretched -a new division, Braithwaite's Sixty-second, which -had upheld the honour of Yorkshire so gloriously at -Cambrai. Their line ran west of Sapignies and joined -the Forty-second Division at the point where they -touched the Sixth Corps, east of Ervillers. -</p> - -<p> -The front of the Sixty-second stretched from -Bucquoy to Puisieux. The enemy kept working -round the right flank, and the situation there was -very dangerous, for everything to the immediate -south was in a state of flux, shreds and patches of -units endeavouring to cover a considerable stretch -of all-important country. South of Puisieux there -was a gap of four or five miles before one came to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P64"></a>64}</span> -British troops. Into this gap in the very nick of time -came first the 4th Brigade of the Second Australian -Division, and later the New Zealand Division in -driblets, which gradually spanned the vacant space. -It was a very close call for a break through without -opposition. Being disappointed in this the Germans -upon March 26 spent the whole afternoon in fierce -attacks upon the Sixty-second Division, but got -little but hard knocks from Braithwaite's Yorkshiremen. -The 186th Brigade on the right threw back a -flank to Rossignol Wood to cover the weak side. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile the enemy had made a spirited attempt -to push through between the Seventh Corps and the -Fifth. With this design he attacked heavily, bending -back the thin line of the Ninth Division, who were -supported by the Twenty-first Division, numbering -at this period 1500 men. At four in the afternoon -the German stormers got into Maricourt, but they -were thrust out again by the Thirty-fifth Division. -They had better success farther north, where in the -late evening they got round the left flank of the -Forty-seventh Division and occupied Pozières. The -Londoners threw out a defensive line to the north and -awaited events, but the general position between -the Fifth and Fourth Corps was serious, as the -tendency was for the gap to increase, and for the -Fourth Corps to swing north-west while the other -turned to the south-west. The Twelfth Division -was transferred therefore from the Seventh to the -Fifth Corps, and was given a line on the west bank -of the Ancre from Albert to Hamel. This move -proved in the sequel to be a most effective one. In -the evening of this day, March 25, the line from Bray -to Albert exclusive was allotted to the Seventh Corps, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P65"></a>65}</span> -which was directed to leave a covering party as long -as possible on a line from the River Somme to -Montauban, in order to safeguard the retirement of -the Fifth Army. Then came the Twelfth Division -covering Albert, then the remains of the Forty-seventh -and of the Second from Thiepval to Beaumont Hamel, -all moving across the Ancre. It is said that during -the retreat from Moscow an officer having asked -who were the occupants of a certain sledge, was -answered: "The Royal Regiment of Dutch Guards." It -is in a somewhat similar sense that all mentions -of battalions, brigades, and divisions must be taken -at this stage of the battle. The right of the Fourth -Corps was threatened by an irruption of the enemy -at Pys and Irles, who threatened to get by this route -round the flank of the Sixty-second Division, but -found the Twenty-fifth Division still had vitality -enough left to form a defensive flank looking south. -At the same time the Forty-second Division had been -driven back west of Gomiecourt, and was out of -touch with the right of the Sixth Corps. Things -were still serious and the future dark. Where was -the retreat to be stayed? Was it destined to roll -back to Amiens or possibly to Abbeville beyond it? -The sky had clouded, the days were mirk, the hanging -Madonna had fallen from the cathedral of Albert, -the troops were worn to shadows. The twilight of -the gods seemed to have come. -</p> - -<p> -It was at that very moment that the first light -of victory began to dawn. It is true that the old -worn divisions could hardly be said any longer to -exist, but the new forces, the Yorkshiremen of the -Sixty-second in the north, the New Zealanders and -the Twelfth in the centre, and very particularly the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P66"></a>66}</span> -three splendid divisions of Australians in the area -just south of Albert, were the strong buttresses of the -dam which at last held up that raging tide. Never -should our British Imperial troops forget the debt -which they owed to Australia at that supreme hour -of destiny. The very sight of those lithe, rakish -dare-devils with their reckless, aggressive bearing, -or their staider fresh-faced brethren with the red -facings of New Zealand, was good for tired eyes. -There was much still to be done before an equilibrium -should be reached, but the rough outline of the -permanent positions had even now, in those hours -of darkness and danger, been traced across the -German path. There was but one gap on the morning -of March 26, which lay between Auchonvillers and -Hebuterne, and into this the New Zealand Division -and one brigade of the Second Australians were, as -already stated, hurriedly sent, the New Zealanders -supporting and eventually relieving the Second -British Division, while the Australians relieved the -Nineteenth. The line was attacked, but stood firm, -and the New Zealanders actually recaptured Colincamps. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The chief fighting both of this day and of the -next fell upon Scott's Twelfth Division, which lay -before Albert, and was occupying the western side -of the railway line. So vital was the part played -by the Twelfth in this quarter, and so strenuous -their work, that a connected and more detailed -account of it would perhaps not be out of place. -The 37th Brigade was in the north-east of Mesnil -and Aveluy Wood, the 36th in the centre, and -the 35th on the west bank of the Ancre, with -outposts to cover the crossings at Albert and Aveluy. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P67"></a>67}</span> -The men were fresh and eager, but had only their -rifles to trust to, for they had neither wire, bombs, -rifle-grenades, Very lights, or signals, having been -despatched at the shortest notice to the battle-field. -Their orders were to hold their ground at all costs, -and most valiantly they obeyed it. It is only when -one sees a map of the German forces in this part -of the field, with the divisions marked upon it like -flies upon fly-paper, that one understands the odds -against which these men had to contend. Nor was -the efficiency of the enemy less than his numbers. -"The Germans scouted forward in a very clever -manner, making full use of the old chalk trenches," -says an observer. In the north upon the evening -of March 26 the enemy crept up to Mesnil, and after -a long struggle with the 6th Queen's forced their -way into the village. Shortly after midnight, -however, some of the 6th Buffs and 6th West Kents, -together with part of the Anson battalion from the -Sixty-third Division, won back the village once more, -taking twelve machine-guns and a number of prisoners. -The other two brigades had not been attacked upon -the 26th, but a very severe battle awaited them all -upon March 27. It began by a heavy shelling of -Hamel in the morning, by which the garrison was -driven out. The Germans then attacked southwards -down the railway from Hamel, but were held up -by the 6th West Kents. The pressure extended, -however, to the 9th Royal Fusiliers of the 36th -Brigade upon the right of the West Kents, who had -a long, bitter struggle in which they were assisted by -the 247th Field Company of the Royal Engineers -and other elements of the 188th Brigade. This -brigade, being already worn to a shadow, was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P68"></a>68}</span> -withdrawn, while another shadow, the 5th Brigade, took -its place, one of its battalions, the 24th Royal Fusiliers, -fighting stoutly by the side of the West Kents. There -was a time when the pressure was so great that all -touch was lost between the two brigades; but the -line was held during the whole of the day and night -of the 27th and on into the 28th. At eleven o'clock -in the morning of this day a new attack by fresh -troops was made upon the West Kents and the 7th -Sussex, and the men of Kent were at one time driven -back, but with the aid of the 24th Royal Fusiliers -the line was entirely re-established. The whole -episode represented forty-eight hours of continual -close combat until, upon March 29, this front was -relieved by the Second Division. Apart from the -heavy casualties endured by the enemy, this gain of -time was invaluable at a crisis when every day meant -a thickening of the British line of resistance. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The fight upon the right wing of the 36th Brigade -had been equally violent and even more deadly. In -the fight upon March 27, when the Royal West Kents -and 9th Fusiliers were so hard pressed in the north, -their comrades of the 5th Berks and 7th Sussex had -been very heavily engaged in the south. The -Germans, by a most determined advance, drove a -wedge between the Berkshires and the Sussex, and -another between the Sussex and the Fusiliers, but in -each case the isolated bodies of men continued the -desperate fight. The battle raged for a time round -the battalion headquarters of the Sussex, where -Colonel Impey, revolver in hand, turned the tide of -fight like some leader of old. The losses were terrible, -but the line shook itself clear of Germans, and though -they attacked again upon the morning of March 28, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P69"></a>69}</span> -they were again beaten off, and heavily shelled as -they plodded in their sullen retreat up the hillside -to La Boisselle. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, the 35th Brigade had also been fighting -for its life to the south. Albert had fallen to the -Germans, for it was no part of the plan of defence to -hold the town itself, but the exits from it and the -lines on each side of it were jealously guarded. At -7 P.M. on March 26 the Germans were in the town, -but they had practically reached their limit. Parties -had crossed the Ancre, and there were attacked by -the 7th Norfolks, who were supported in a long fight -upon the morning of the 27th by the 9th Essex and -the 5th Northants Pioneer Battalion. The line was -held, partly by the aid given by the 51st Brigade -of the Seventeenth Division, who numbered just 600 -men and were led by Major Cubbon. Whilst the line -was held outside Albert, the Germans in the town -had a very deadly time, being fired at at short -ranges by the 78th and 79th Brigades Royal Field -Artillery. The 7th Suffolks were drawn into the -infantry fight, which became a more and more -desperate affair, involving every man who could be -thrown into it, including two battalions, the 1st -Artists and 10th Bedfords from the 190th Brigade -of the Sixty-third Division. These latter units -suffered very heavily from machine-gun fire before -ever they reached the firing-line. At 8 A.M. upon -March 28 the Germans were still pouring men -through Albert, but were utterly unable to debouch -upon the other side under the murderous fire of the -British. A single company of the 9th Essex fired -15,000 rounds, and the whole slope which faced them -was dotted with the German dead. The town of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P70"></a>70}</span> -Albert formed a covered line of approach, and though -the British guns were still pounding the buildings -and the eastern approaches, the Germans were able -to assemble in it during darkness and to form up -unseen in great numbers for the attack. At ten in -the morning of the 28th another desperate effort -was made to get through and clear a path for all -the hordes waiting behind. The British artillery -smothered one attack, but a second broke over the -7th Norfolks and nearly submerged them. Both -flanks were turned, and in spite of great work done -by Captain Chalmers with his machine-guns the -battalion was nearly surrounded. The losses were -terrible, but the survivors formed up again half a mile -to the west, where they were again attacked in the -evening and again exposed to heavy casualties, -including their commanding officer. Few battalions -have endured more. Late that night the 10th West -Yorkshires of the Seventeenth Division came to their -relief. The whole of the Twelfth Division was now -rested for a time, but they withdrew from their line -in glory, for it is no exaggeration to say that they -had fought the Germans to an absolute standstill. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now return to March 26, a date which -had been darkened by the capture of Albert. Apart -from this success upon the German side, which brought -them into a town which they had not held for years, -the general line in this quarter began to assume the -same outline as in 1916 before the Somme battle, -so that Hebuterne and Auchonvillers north of Albert -were in British hands, while Serre and Puisieux -were once more German. The existence of the old -trenches had helped the weary army to hold this -definite line, and as already shown it had received -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P71"></a>71}</span> -reinforcements which greatly stiffened its resistance. -The dangerous gap which had yawned between the -Fourth and Fifth Corps was now successfully filled. -In the morning of March 27 all was solid once -more in this direction. At eleven on that date, an -inspiriting order was sent along the line that the -retreat was over and that the army must fight out -the issue where it stood. It is the decisive call -which the British soldier loves and never fails to -obey. The line was still very attenuated in parts, -however, and it was fated to swing and sway before -it reached its final stability. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The fighting upon the front of the Sixty-second -Division at Bucquoy upon March 27 was as heavy -as on the front of the Twelfth to the south, and cost -the Germans as much, for the Lewis guns had wonderful -targets upon the endless grey waves which swept -out of the east. The 5th West Ridings, east -of Rossignol Wood, were heavily engaged, the -Germans bombing their way very cleverly up the -old trenches when they could no longer face the -rifle-fire in the open. There were three separate -strong attacks on Bucquoy, which covered the slopes -with dead, but the persistent attempts to get round -the right wing were more dangerous. These fell -chiefly on the 2/4 Yorks Light Infantry between -Rossignol Wood and Hebuterne, driving this battalion -in. A dangerous gap then developed between the -British and the Australians, but a strong counter-attack -of the 5th Yorkshire Light Infantry after dark, -with the Australians and four tanks co-operating, -recovered nearly all the lost ground. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On March 28 there was again a very heavy attack -upon the 186th Brigade. The stormers surged right -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P72"></a>72}</span> -up to the muzzles of the rifles, but never beyond -them. Over 200 dead were found lying in front of -one company. One isolated platoon of the 5th West -Ridings was cut off and was killed to the last man. -Farther to the right there were several determined -attacks upon the 187th Brigade and the 4th -Australian Brigade, the latter being under the orders -of the Sixty-second Division. These also were -repulsed in the open, but the bombing, in which the -Germans had the advantage of a superiority of -bombs, was more difficult to meet, and the 5th -Yorkshire Light Infantry were driven from Rossignol -Wood and the ground which they had so splendidly -captured the night before. -</p> - -<p> -About 11 A.M. on this day the Forty-first -Division had been ordered up to man the east -of Gommecourt. A brigade of this division, the -124th, co-operated with the 8th West Yorkshires and -some of the Australians in a fresh attack upon -Rossignol Wood, which failed at first, but eventually, -after dark, secured the north end of the wood, and -greatly eased the local pressure. On March 29 and -30 the positions were safely held, and the attacks -less dangerous. On the evening of the latter date -the Sixty-second Division was relieved by the -Thirty-seventh. -</p> - -<p> -Whilst these events had occurred upon the front -of the Sixty-second Division, Russell's New Zealanders -were holding the line to the south in their usual -workmanlike fashion. From March 26 they held -up the Germans, whose main attacks, however, were -north and south of them, though March 27 saw -several local advances against the Canterburys and -the Rifles. On March 30 the New Zealanders hit -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P73"></a>73}</span> -back again at La Signy Farm, with good results, -taking 295 prisoners. It was a smart little victory -at a time when the smallest victory was indeed -precious. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Reverting now to the general situation upon -March 27, the weak point was north and south of -the Somme to the south of Albert. Between the -river and Harbonnière the left wing of the Fifth -Army had been broken, as will be told when we come -to consider the operations in that area. The German -advance was pouring down the line of the river with -the same fierce rapidity with which it had recently -thundered forward over the old Somme battle-fields. -Having annihilated the local resistance on the left -bank of the river, where Colonel Horn and 400 -nondescripts did all that they could, they were -pushing on from Cerisy to Corbie. General Watts -of the Nineteenth Corps, whose defence was one -of the outstanding features of the whole operations, -was hard put to it to cover his left wing, -so in loyal co-operation the Third Army north of -the river detached the hard-worked Cavalry Corps, -who were always called upon at moments of supreme -crisis, and who never failed to answer the call. It -was actually engaged to the north of the river -at the time, but disengaged itself in part, though -the enemy was holding Cerisy and Chipilly and had -got a bridge across the river which would enable -them to get to the rear of General Watts' Corps. -The means by which this very dangerous German -move was kept within bounds comes within the -history of the Fifth Army. Suffice it to say that the -cavalry passed over the river and that the Seventh -Corps, north of the river, extended to cover the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P74"></a>74}</span> -wider front, throwing out a defensive flank along -the north bank from Sailly-le-Sec to Aubigny. -</p> - -<p> -Along the whole line to the north the pressure -was great all day upon March 27, but the attacks -upon the Fourth Corps, which were particularly -severe, were repulsed with great loss at Beaumont -Hamel, Bucquoy, north of Puisieux, and at Ablainzeville. -Near Bucquoy the Sixty-second Division in -these two days repelled, as already narrated, eight -separate German attacks. This fighting has to be -fitted in with that recounted in the previous chapter -near Ayette, in connection with the Thirty-first -Division, in order to get a complete view of the -whole German effort and the unbroken British line. -Hamel was the only fresh village to the north of -Albert which was taken by the Germans that day. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fourth and Fifth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -March 28 was remarkable for the very desperate -engagement upon the front of the Sixth and Seventeenth -Corps, which has been already described, and -which marked the limit of the whole German advance -in the northern area. The Fourth Corps farther -south had its own share of the fighting, however, as -already told in connection with the defence of Bucquoy -by the Sixty-second Division. The line was held, -however, and save for a small strip of Rossignol -Wood, no gain at all came to solace the Germans -for very heavy losses. -</p> - -<p> -All through these operations it is worthy of note -that an important part was played by reorganised -bodies of men, so mixed and broken that no name -can be assigned to them. Officers stationed in the -rear collected these stragglers, and led them back -into gaps of the line, where their presence was -sometimes of vital importance. A divisional general, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P75"></a>75}</span> -speaking of these curious and irregular formations, -says: "There was no panic of any kind. The men -of all divisions were quite willing to halt and fight, -but as the difficulty of orders reaching them made -them uncertain as to their correct action, they came -back slowly and in good order. Once they received -some definite orders they fell into line and dug -themselves in at once." At one point 4000 men were -collected in this fashion. -</p> - -<p> -In the Australian area the enemy occupied -Dernancourt, but otherwise the whole line was intact. -It was still necessary, however, to keep a defensive -line thrown back along the north bank of the Somme, -as the situation to the south, especially at Marcelcave, -was very dangerous. Thus, the Seventh Corps -covered this flank from Corbie to Sailly, and then -ran north to Treux on the Albert-Amiens Railway. -The arrival of the cavalry to the south of the river -had spliced the weak section, so that on the morning -of March 29 the British commanders from north to -south had every cause to be easier in their minds. -An inactive day was the best proof of the severity -of the rebuff which the Germans had sustained the -day before, nor were matters improved from their -point of view when upon March 30 they attacked the -Australians near Dernancourt and lost some thousands -of men without a yard of gain, or when the New -Zealanders countered them, with the capture of 250 -prisoners and many machine-guns. -</p> - -<p> -This small chronicle of huge events has now -brought the southern half of the Third Army to the -same date already reached in the previous chapter -by the northern half. The narrative has by no -means reached the limit of the fighting carried on -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P76"></a>76}</span> -by this portion of the line, but equilibrium has roughly -been attained, and if the story be now continued it -leaves too wide a gap for the reader to cross when he -has to return to the history of the Fifth Army upon -the 21st of March. Therefore we shall leave the -Third Army for the time and only return to it when -we have followed the resistance of the Fifth Army -up to the same date. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Third Army. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Before starting upon this new epic, it would be -well to remind the reader of the general bearing of -the events already described, as it is very easy in -attention to detail to lose sight of the larger issues. -The experience of the Third Army then, put in its -briefest form, was that the attack upon March 21 -fell with terrific violence upon the two central corps, -the Sixth and Fourth; that these, after a most valiant -resistance, were forced to retire; that the strategical -situation thus created caused the Seventeenth Corps -in the north and the Fifth Corps in the south to fall -back, and that both of them were then pressed by -the enemy; that for six days the army fell slowly -back, fighting continual rearguard actions against -superior numbers; that this movement involved only -a short retreat in the north, but a longer one in the -south, until in the Albert region it reached its -maximum; that finally the Germans made a determined -effort upon March 28 to break the supple and resilient -line which had always faced them, and that this -attempt, most gallantly urged, involved the Corps -in the north as well as the whole line of the Third -Army. The result of this great battle was a bloody -defeat for the Germans, especially in the northern -sector, where they made hardly any gain of ground -and lost such vast numbers of men that their whole -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P77"></a>77}</span> -enterprise was brought to a complete standstill and -was never again resumed in that quarter. -</p> - -<p> -The losses of the Third Army during that week -of desperate fighting when, in spite of the heroic -efforts of the Medical Corps, the wounded had -frequently to be abandoned, and when it was often -impossible to get the guns away intact, were very -severe. Many divisions which numbered their 9000 -infantry upon March 21 could not put 1500 in the -line upon March 28. These losses were not, however, -so great as they might appear, since the constant -movement of troops, carried on very often in pitch -darkness, made it impossible to keep the men together. -An official estimate taken at the time and subject -to subsequent revision put the loss of guns at 206, -only 23 of which were above the 6-inch calibre. -Forty-three others were destroyed. The casualties in -the Third Army during the period under review -might be placed approximately at 70,000, divided -into 10,000 killed, 25,000 missing, and 35,000 wounded. -The heaviest losses were in the Fifty-ninth Division, -which gave 5765 as its appalling total, but the Sixth -Division was little behind it, and the Forty-second, -Forty-seventh, and Fifty-first were all over 4000. -The Thirty-fifth Division had also a most honourable -record, enduring very heavy losses in which the -numbers of missing were comparatively small. Its -work, however, was chiefly done at a later date than -that which closes this chapter. In the estimate of -losses there has to be included practically the whole -personnel of the devoted battalions who held the -forward line upon the first day of the German attack. -In connection with the large number of stragglers, -who were afterwards gathered together and showed -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P78"></a>78}</span> -by their conduct that they had no want of stomach -for the fight, it is to be remembered that the men -had been accustomed to the narrow routine of trench -operations, that most of them had no idea of open -warfare, and that when they found themselves amidst -swift evolutions over difficult country, carried on -frequently in darkness, it was very natural that they -should lose their units and join the throng who -wandered down the main roads and were eventually -rounded up and formed into formations at the river -crossings or other places where they could be headed -off. Among the casualties were many senior officers, -including General Bailey of the 142nd Brigade. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P79"></a>79}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IV -<br /><br /> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -Attack upon the Fifth Army. March 21. -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -The Fifth Army front—The story of a Redoubt—Attack upon -Congreve's Seventh Corps—Upon Watts' Nineteenth Corps—Upon -Maxse's Eighteenth Corps—Upon Butler's Third Corps—Terrific -pressure—Beginning of the Retreat—Losses of Guns. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fifth Army. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In dealing with the German attack upon the Fifth -Army, the first point which should be emphasised -is, that heavy as the fighting was in the north, still -it was this southern advance which was the main -one. The official account of the disposition of the -German forces brings this fact out very clearly. -From the Sensée River to the Bapaume-Cambrai -Road they are stated to have had nine divisions in -line and eight in close reserve, covering a front of -nine miles. In the eight miles from Cambrai Road -to La Vacquerie they had four divisions. In the -southern area from La Vacquerie down to La Fère -they had twenty-three divisions in the line and -seventeen in reserve, covering a front of over forty -miles. This front was defended by eleven British -divisions, with three divisions of infantry and three -of cavalry in reserve. So far as infantry was -concerned the odds were 40 to 14, while the German -guns numbered about 3500 to 1300 on the British -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P80"></a>80}</span> -line. These odds were serious enough if directed -equally along the whole area, but when thrown in -on special sectors they became more crushing. To -add to the total picture of German strength, it should -be added that twenty-five fresh divisions were -thrown into the fight during the first week, nine upon -the Scarpe front, three between the Ancre and the -Somme, seven between the Somme and Montdidier, -and six between Montdidier and the Oise. Against -these have to be set British reinforcements, and the -influx of French from the south. It was only on -the first five days of battle that the odds were so -overpoweringly with the Germans. -</p> - -<p> -In this chapter we shall endeavour to gain a -superficial view of the general course of events upon -the whole front of the Fifth Army upon the fateful -March 21. We shall then be in a position to -appreciate the situation as it was in the evening and -to understand those decisions on the part of -General Gough and his subordinates which influenced -the subsequent operations. -</p> - -<p> -The front of the Fifth Army extended from its -junction with the Third Army in the neighbourhood -of La Vacquerie to Barisis, a village some miles south -of the Oise, the total frontage being nearly forty -miles. This was occupied by four corps. The -northern was the Seventh, under General Congreve, -a well-known soldier, whose V.C. and shattered arm -proclaimed his past services to the Empire. This -corps covered the southern part of the dangerous -Cambrai salient and extended to the region of -Ronssoy. From this point to Maissemy the line was -held by General Watts with the Nineteenth Corps. -Upon his right, extending as far as north of Essigny, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P81"></a>81}</span> -was General Maxse with the Eighteenth Corps. From -thence to Barisis lay the Third Corps under General -Butler. All four were soldiers of wide experience, -their leader, General Gough, had never failed in any -task to which he had laid his hand, and the troops -in the line comprised some of the flower of the British -army, so that in spite of all disparity of numbers -there was a reasonable hope for success. Arrangements -had been made by which the French or British -could send lateral help to each other; but it must -be admitted that the liaison work proved to be -defective, and that the succours were slower in -arriving, and less equipped for immediate action, -than had been expected. -</p> - -<p> -The fortifications along the front of the Fifth -Army were of various degrees of strength, depending -upon the nature of the ground and upon the time -that it had been in British possession, the north being -stronger than the south. The Oise, which had been -looked upon as an obstacle, and the presence of -which had seemed to justify the extraordinarily -long sector held by the Third Corps, had to some -extent dried up and had ceased to be a real -protection. In the main, the defences consisted of a -forward line, a chain of small redoubts, each with -four machine-guns and all connected by posts; a -battle-line which was strongly wired and lay about -3000 yards behind the forward line; and a rear zone, -the fortifications of which were not complete. If -anything were wanting in the depth of the defences -it has to be remembered that we are speaking of a -vast tract of country, and that to dig a serviceable -trench from London, we will say, to Guildford, -furnishing it with sand-bags and wire, is a mighty -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P82"></a>82}</span> -task. There were no enslaved populations who -could be turned on to such work. For months before -the attack the troops, aided by the cavalry and by -several special entrenching battalions, were digging -incessantly. Indeed, the remark has been made that -their military efficiency was impaired by the constant -navvy work upon which they were employed. There -is no room for criticism upon this point, for everything -possible was done, even in that southern sector -which had only been a few weeks in British -possession. -</p> - -<p> -Before beginning to follow the history of March 21, -it would be well to describe the position and number -of the reserves, as the course of events depended -very much upon this factor. Many experienced -soldiers were of opinion that if they had been -appreciably more numerous, and considerably nearer -the line, the positions could have been made good. -The three infantry divisions in question were the -Thirty-ninth, which was immediately behind the -Seventh Corps, the Twentieth, which was in the -neighbourhood of Ham, and was allotted to the -Eighteenth Corps, and the Fiftieth, which was in -general army reserve, and about seven hours' march -from the line. The First Cavalry Division was in the -rear of the Nineteenth Corps, while the Second Cavalry -Division was on the right behind the Third Corps. -The Third Cavalry Division was in billets upon the -Somme, and it also was sent to the help of the Third -Corps. Besides these troops the nearest supports -were at a distance of at least three days' journey, -and consisted of a single unit, the Eighth Division. -</p> - -<p> -The German preparations for the attack had not -been unobserved and it was fully expected upon the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P83"></a>83}</span> -morning of the battle, but what was not either -expected or desired was the ground mist, which seems -to have been heavier in the southern than in the -northern portion of the line. So dense was it that -during the critical hours when the Germans were -pouring across No Man's Land it was not possible -to see for more than twenty yards, and the whole -scheme of the forward defence, depending as it did -upon machine-guns, placed in depth and sweeping -every approach, was completely neutralised by this -freak of nature, which could not have been anticipated, -for it was the first time such a thing had -occurred for two months. Apart from the machine-guns, -a number of isolated field-guns had been -sown here and there along the front, where they -had lurked in silence for many weeks waiting for -their time to come. These also were rendered useless -by the weather, and had no protection from the -German advance, which overran and submerged -them. -</p> - -<p> -The devastating bombardment broke out along -the line about five o'clock, and shortly after ten it -was known that the German infantry had advanced -and had invaded the whole of the forward zone, -taking a few of the redoubts, but in most cases -simply passing them in the fog, and pushing on to -the main British line. As it is impossible to give -the experiences of each redoubt in detail, the story -of one may be told as being fairly typical of the rest. -This particular one is chosen because some facts are -available, whereas in most of them a deadly silence, -more eloquent than words, covers their fate. The -Enghien redoubt was held by Colonel Wetherall with -a company of the 2/4 Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P84"></a>84}</span> -upon the front of the Sixty-first Division. The -redoubt formed the battalion headquarters, and was -connected to brigade headquarters by a cable buried -eight feet deep. In front were two companies of the -battalion in the outpost line; behind was the fourth -company ready for counter-attack. Early in the -morning heavy trench-mortar fire was raining bombs -upon the redoubt, and the wire was flying in all -directions. At 6 the redoubt was so full of gas -that even the masks could not hold it out, so the -men were ordered below and put up gas blankets to -fend it off. This could be safely done, as when gas -is so thick it is not possible for the stormers to -advance. At 6.15, what with fog and gas and blurred -respirators, it was hardly possible to see anything at -all. At 7.30 the gas cleared and there was a shower -of high explosive shells with shattering effect. At -9.30 the barrage lifted and the garrison rushed up -from their shelters and manned their posts, but the -fog rolled white and thick across their vision. The -cloud banked right up to their wire, while from -behind it came all the noises of the pit. So -nerve-shaking was the effect that some of the outlying -men came creeping into the redoubt for human -company. At 9.40 the whizzing of bullets all around -showed that the infantry was on the move. The -garrison fired back into the mist, whence came vague -shoutings and tramplings. A request was cabled -back for a protective barrage, but the inadequate -reply showed that the British guns had suffered in -the shelling. Suddenly the mist darkened at one -point; it broke into running figures, and a wave of -men rushed forward, scrambled through the broken -wire, and clambered into the redoubt. The Oxfords -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P85"></a>85}</span> -rushed across and bombed them back into the mist -again. There was a pause, during which the attack -was reorganised, and then at 11 o'clock the German -stormers poured suddenly in from three sides at -once. The garrison stood to it stoutly and drove -them out, leaving many bodies on the broken wire. -The fort was now entirely surrounded, and there was -a fresh attack from the rear which added fifty or -sixty more to the German losses. At 11.45 there -was some lifting of the fog, and Colonel Wetherall -endeavoured to get across to the village, 300 yards -behind him, to see if help could be obtained. He -found it deserted. Stealing back to his fort he was -covered suddenly by German rifles, was dragged -away as a prisoner, but finally, late in the evening, -escaped and rejoined the main body of his own -battalion. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Cunningham had -taken over the defence of Enghien redoubt, assisted -by Lieutenant Richards with the machine-guns. -Hour after hour fresh attacks were repelled, but -showers of bombs fell in the confined space, and the -garrison were continually thinned out. Despairing -messages—"What shall we do? What shall we -do?"—were sent back over the cable, but nothing -could be done, for these outliers are the <i>enfants perdus</i> -of the army, marked from the first for destruction. -Finally, at 4.30, the great deep all around them sent -one heavy wave to submerge them, and the cable -was for ever silent. -</p> - -<p> -Such is the typical history of a redoubt. Some -succumbed more readily, some survived until the -afternoon of the next day; but the difference may -sometimes have depended upon the various degrees -of severity of attack, which was by no means the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P86"></a>86}</span> -same upon all sectors. The total effect was the -complete destruction of the eleven gallant battalions -which held the advanced line of the Fifth Army, -and the loss of all material therein. One can but -hope that the enemy paid a full price. Occasionally -a sudden rise of the mist gave the defence a splendid -opening for their machine-guns. On one occasion -such a chance exposed a German officer standing -with a large map in his hand within thirty yards of -the fort, his company awaiting his directions beside -him. Few of them escaped. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventh Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We shall now follow the line of the Fifth Army -from the north. The Seventh Corps upon the left -consisted of the Ninth (Tudor), the Twenty-first -(Campbell), and the Sixteenth (Hull) Divisions in the -order named, and it carried the line down as far as -Ronssoy, where it joined on to Watts' Nineteenth -Corps. The Ninth Division had two brigades in the -line, and all the battalions both of the Twenty-sixth -and of the South Africans were in the forward zone -and exposed to the usual devastating losses. Their -front joined that of the Forty-seventh Division at -Fifteen Ravine in the north, and the Twenty-first -at Chapel Hill in the south. About eleven o'clock -the main advance of the Germans struck up against -this front. There was no action upon the left between -Gauche Wood and the canal, though the bombardment -was exceedingly heavy. On the right in the -neighbourhood of Gauche Wood the fighting was very -severe all day, and the stormers were able to make -little progress, although they attacked again and -again with the utmost resolution. This attack fell -mainly upon the South African Brigade, who held -on with the same firm courage which they had shown -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P87"></a>87}</span> -at Delville Wood, and proved once more that there -are no better soldiers in all the vast army of the -Empire. It was only at this point, however, near -the junction with the Twenty-first Division that the -Ninth Division was attacked, for the German infantry -was crushed by the artillery fire upon the left in front -of Gonnelieu, so that the total losses of the Ninth -upon this murderous day were probably less than -those of other divisions in the Fifth Army. Gauche -Wood was continually attacked, but the Quentin -redoubt to the immediate north of it was left alone -during the whole day. It was the 2nd or Natal -South African regiment which held the extreme -front, and after a very fine resistance they were -driven through the wood, until at 11.30 the Germans -held it all, but the Africans still clung to the system -of Chapel trenches to the immediate west and south -of it. To this they held all day, being much helped -by a local rise in the mist about eleven, which enabled -the guns in Quentin redoubt to see their targets in -the south. Finally, the Germans were compelled to -dig in in Gauche Wood, and give up the attempt to -get farther. No other point was gained upon the -Ninth Divisional front. Meanwhile, the enemy had -pressed their attack with great violence upon the -immediate right, where it fell with special strength upon -the 2nd Lincolns of the Twenty-first Division. At -12 they were well behind the right rear of the -Africans, who were compelled to throw back a flank. -The Lincolns held on splendidly, however, and the -danger was arrested. At 3.30 a new concentration of -the enemy developed in front of Vaucelette Farm, -and was heavily shelled by the British guns. At 5 -o'clock the fight was very desperate upon Chapel -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P88"></a>88}</span> -Hill on the southern limit of the South African area, -where the Lincolns were still holding out but were -being gradually pressed back. The 4th South African -Regiment (South African Scots) was therefore ordered -to counter-attack in this direction, which was done -with great dash, the position upon Chapel Hill being -re-established. Such was the general situation when -at 8.15 orders were issued for the withdrawal of all -units to the rear zone. This was done during the -night, the general line of retirement being towards -Sorel and Heudicourt, while the Scottish Brigade kept -position upon the left. The order to retire came as -a complete surprise, as all was well upon the -immediate front, but the reason given was the -penetration of the line at other points. -</p> - -<p> -Upon the right of the Scots and South Africans -of the Ninth Division the line was held by Campbell's -Twenty-first Division, consisting of the Leicester -Brigade and two brigades of North Country troops, -all of them the veterans of many battles. They -covered the ground from south of Gauche Wood in -the north to Epehy in the south. Two brigades -were in the line, the 62nd in the north and the -110th in the south, and were exposed all day to -a very severe attack which they held up with great -steadiness and resolution. Heudicourt, Peizière, and -Epehy were the scenes of particularly severe fighting. -In the evening these places, and the whole line -through Quentin Ridge and east of Gouzeaucourt, -were still firmly held by the defenders. It may -truly be said that along the whole fifty-mile front of -battle there was no point where the enemy met with -a more unyielding resistance than in the area of the -Twenty-first Division. During the long day three -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P89"></a>89}</span> -German divisions essayed the task of forcing Epehy -and overcoming the defence of Chapel Hill, but as -the night drew in all three lay exhausted in front of -their objectives, and there would certainly have been -no British retirement had it not been for the movements -in the other sections of the line. Only at one -post had the enemy made any lodgment, namely at -Vaucelette Farm, and here he could have been thrown -out by a counter-attack had the general situation -permitted it. The Leicesters and the Northumberland -Fusiliers upheld the fame of their historic -regiments on this day of battle, but two of the -outstanding exploits in the fight lie to the credit of -the Lincolns, who kept an iron grip upon Chapel -Hill, and to the 15th Durhams, who made a dashing -counter-attack which swept back the German advance -when it tried to penetrate between Epehy and Chapel -Hill. The village of Peizière was held by the 7th -Leicesters of the 110th Brigade, who fought as this -brigade has always fought and held the Germans -out. Once with the help of flame-throwers they -gained a lodgment among the houses, but the brave -Midlanders came back to it and threw them out once -more. It was a party of this same Leicester regiment -which held the farm of Vaucelette, and fought it out -to the very last man before they suffered it to pass -from their keeping. -</p> - -<p> -The fighting upon Chapel Hill was particularly -severe, and was the more important as this eminence, -lying almost upon the divisional boundary, enfiladed -the Ninth Division to the north. There was a trench -in front of the hill, called Cavalry Trench, and a farm -behind called Revelon Farm, and the battle swung -and swayed all day, sometimes the British holding -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P90"></a>90}</span> -all the ground, and sometimes being pushed back as -far as the farm. The 1st Lincolns gained great -honour that day, but they could not have held the -hill were it not for the co-operation of the South -Africans, who twice helped to retake it when it had -been temporarily lost. The 11th Royal Scots from -the Ninth Division Reserve Brigade struck in also -with effect when the enemy filtered round the north -edge of the hill and worked to the rear of it. They -had got as far as Genin Copse when the Royal Scots -attacked and hunted them back once more. The -weak point of the Twenty-first Division lay upon -their right where they had to throw out a defensive -flank 3000 yards deep. They had not troops enough -to cover this ground, and it was only the splendid -work of the batteries of the 94th Brigade -R.F.A. which prevented a disaster. -</p> - -<p> -The Sixteenth Irish Division (Hull) lay upon the -right of the Twenty-first Division, carrying the line -to the south of Ronssoy. This division had two -brigades in the line, the 48th to the left and the 49th -to the right, and it appears to have sustained an -attack which was of a peculiarly crushing nature. -It cannot be denied that the wretched parochial -politics which tear Ireland in two, and which are -urged with such Celtic extravagance of language, -cannot have a steadying effect upon national troops, -but none the less every soldier will admit that the -men who carried Guillemont and breasted the slope -of the Messines Ridge have proved themselves to -be capable of rising to the highest exercise of military -virtue. If, therefore, they gave way upon this -occasion while others stood, the reason is to be sought -rather in the extra severity of the attack, which had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P91"></a>91}</span> -the same crushing effect upon other divisions both -in the north and in the south of the line. All these -brigades were desperately engaged during the day, -as was the 116th Brigade of the Thirty-ninth Division -which came to the help of the Irish, while the other -two brigades of this supporting division endeavoured -to strengthen the line of defence in the rear zone -with a switch line from Saulcourt to Tincourt Wood. -On the right the attack was too severe to be -withstood, and not only the advance line but the battle -position also was deeply penetrated, the Germans -pouring in a torrent down the Catelet valley and -occupying Ronssoy and Lempire, by which they -turned the flanks both of the Twenty-first in the -north and of the Sixty-sixth Division in the south. -Especially fierce was the resistance offered by the -48th Brigade in the north, some units of which were -swung round until they found themselves sharing -with the Twenty-first Division in the defence of -Epehy. The 2nd Munsters lived up to their high -reputation during a long day of hard fighting, and -were for the third or fourth time in the war practically -destroyed. Colonel Ireland was hit about 10.30 in -the morning, and one company, which counter-attacked -near Malassise Farm, was annihilated in the -effort; but the survivors of the battalion were -undismayed, and under Major Hartigan they continued -to oppose every effort of the stormers. One -of the features of the battle in this area was the fight -maintained all day by C Company scattered in -little parties over Ridge Reserve and Tetard Wood. -Lieutenant Whelan was the soul of this fine defence, -contesting every bay of his trench, and continuing -to rally and lead his dwindling band until noon of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P92"></a>92}</span> -the next day. A road ran past this position, and it -was all-important for the enemy to move their -artillery down it in order to press the retreat; but -the Irishmen shot down the horse teams as they came -until the passage was blocked with their bodies. -Finally, all the scattered bands rallied near Epehy -village, where, under Captain Chandler, who was -killed in the contest, they fought to the last, until -in the late evening their cartridges gave out, and the -gallant Hartigan, with the headquarter staff of the -battalion, was overwhelmed. Lieutenant Whelan, -meanwhile, held his post near Epehy until noon of -March 22, when he and his men fired their last round -and threw their last bomb before surrender. The -defence of Malassise Farm by Lieutenant Kidd and -his men was also a glorious bit of fighting to the -last man and the last cartridge. -</p> - -<p> -The general situation upon the front of the Seventh -Corps on the night of March 21 was that the Sixteenth -Division, reinforced by the 116th Brigade, held the -main battle positions, save on the extreme right, as -far north as St. Emilie. Thence the line followed -approximately the railway round and east of Epehy, -in the region of the Twenty-first Division. East of -Chapel Hill and Chapel Crossing it entered the holding -of the Ninth Division, and passed west of Gauche -Wood, through Quentin redoubt and so to the -original line. Behind this indented position the 118th -and 117th Brigades with the Sappers and Pioneers -of the Thirty-ninth Division were hard at work upon -the switch line, which should form a cover for retreat -or a basis for reorganisation. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Upon the right of the Seventh Corps lay Watts' -Nineteenth Corps, which had two divisions in the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P93"></a>93}</span> -line, the Sixty-sixth Lancashire Territorial Division -(Malcolm) in the north, and the Twenty-fourth -Division (Daly) in the south. They covered a front -from south of Ronssoy to south of Maissemy. The -Lancashire Division, the same which behaved so -splendidly in the mud battle of Broodseinde, had all -three brigades in the front, covering 4000 yards, and -were exposed all day to a most terrific assault. From -the north they were in the order 197th, 199th, 198th. -To the south of them an even more strenuous attack -was launched upon the Twenty-fourth Division, which -had two brigades in the line. These were the 17th -upon the left and the 72nd upon the right, with the -1st North Staffords, 8th West Kents, 1st Rifle Brigade, -and 8th Queen's in front. About 11 o'clock the -news came that the enemy was pushing through at -the point of junction with the Eighteenth Corps upon -the right, where there seems to have been a gap of -some hundreds of yards between divisions, and later -that they had penetrated into the village of Hargicourt -in the rear of the Sixty-sixth Division. There -was heavy fighting all day, and by evening the whole -forward zone held by the 2/3 Lancs Fusiliers, East -Lancashires, and Manchesters had passed into the -hands of the enemy, Colonel Stokes-Roberts of the -former battalion being among the casualties. The -twelve redoubts which constituted the main defences -of the battle zone held out stoutly all day, all three -brigades fighting with great valour. The Germans -were continually pushing in, however, upon the right -of the Twenty-fourth Division and enlarging their -gains in that direction, so that the First Cavalry -Division was called up, and the Pioneer Battalion -of the 2nd Cavalry Brigade was thrown in on the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P94"></a>94}</span> -right of the Sixty-sixth Division near Roisel to form -a defensive flank. By 1 o'clock the battle zone -of the Twenty-fourth Division was seriously -compromised. The 72nd Brigade upon the right had -been turned and the village of Maissemy had been -taken by the Germans. Stone's 17th Brigade -kept a tight grip, however, upon the hamlet of Le -Verguier, and though many assaults were made upon -it the place remained untaken in the evening. In -the area of the Sixty-sixth Division the enemy -was still gaining ground, however, and they had -pushed on from Hargicourt to Templeux, where a -counter-attack by the 6th Lancashire Fusiliers held -them for a time. The fighting continued to be very -bitter until late in the evening, for though the -Germans had infiltrated all the ground between the -redoubts, they were unable to overcome their resistance, -or to take possession of their gains. At 10.15 -the order from General Watts was that there should -be no retreat, and that however great the odds against -them—and it was manifest that they were indeed -very great—the two divisions should prepare for a -fight to a finish. Meanwhile, the Fiftieth Division -(Stockley) in army reserve had been ordered, after -a march of seven hours, to support the line of the -Nineteenth Corps, taking up a position in the rear -from the Omignon River to the Cologne River, upon -a front which had been partly wired. With the early -morning of March 22 there came a renewed German -attack which forced back the left of the Sixty-sixth, -who were always much handicapped by the deep -incursion the enemy had made into the area -of the Sixteenth Division to the north, which -continually endangered their flank and even their rear. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P95"></a>95}</span> -The battle was soon general along the whole front, -and everywhere the resistance was most desperate, -though the troops were gradually pressed back by -the ever-increasing weight of the attack as Hindenburg's -legions came rolling in from the east. Many -a bitter curse went up that day from overwrought -men against the perjured traitors on the Russian -front, who to ease their own burden had thrown a -double weight upon those who had helped and trusted -them. At 11.30 in the morning the post of Le -Verguier, which had been held so long and so -gallantly by the 8th West Surreys, was at last -carried by storm and its brave garrison destroyed -or taken, though Colonel Peirs, who had been the -soul of this defence, dashed out, revolver in hand, -at this last moment, and got away in the mist. -The whole line of the Twenty-fourth Division was -shaken by the gap thus created. The pressure -was very great also at Roisel, and the 151st Brigade -from the Fiftieth Division had to be hurried up in -order to hold back the advance down the valley -of the Cologne, which would have turned the -right flank of the Lancashire men to the north. The -9th Sussex was heavily engaged in this quarter and -suffered severely. About noon a valiant attempt -was also made by some tanks and dismounted troopers -to turn the tide by recapturing the village of Hervilly, -which had some temporary success. The German -penetration had been too deep, however, and there -was very pressing danger of isolation unless the -corps fell back. This they did in the late afternoon -and evening, passing through the ranks of the Fiftieth -Division behind them. "They were nearly all gassed -and dead weary," said one who observed them as -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P96"></a>96}</span> -they passed. The 11th Hussars and 19th Entrenching -Battalion most gallantly covered the retreat. The -enemy were close at their heels, however, in great -force and most aggressive mood, as the Fiftieth -Division soon discovered. This unit will be -remembered as the famous Yorkshire Territorial division -who helped to turn the tide at the second battle of -Ypres, and have shown their worth upon many -fields; but on this occasion the odds were too heavy, -though they held the enemy for the rest of the day. -The lower half of the line between the Omignon and -the Cologne rivers was held by Riddell's 149th Brigade -of Northumberland Fusiliers, while the northern half -was held by Rees' 150th Brigade, of Yorkshiremen. -Against this thin wall dashed the full tide of the -German advance as it swept on in the wake of the -Nineteenth Corps. It was a long and hard fight in -which the enemy had heavy losses, especially in front -of Pœuilly, where considerable sheets of wire lay in -front of the position of the 6th Northumberland -Fusiliers. It was a most gallant affair—gallant on -both sides. Their Colonel, Robinson, laid out his -machine-guns in the long grass upon each side of -this wire and enfiladed the German line with most -murderous results. In the south the 4th Northumberland -Fusiliers were attacked in front and on the right -flank, and the pressure was so great that they had -to abandon Caulaincourt, which was then recaptured -and again abandoned by the 6th Northumberland -Fusiliers from the supporting line. The enemy, with -his usual wile, telephoned from the mausoleum, a -central building, that reinforcements be sent to that -point. Upon asking the name of the officer and -getting no reply, General Riddell, in local command, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P97"></a>97}</span> -turned on five batteries of 18-pounders and blew the -mausoleum to pieces. At Poeuilly also there had -been two successful counter-attacks, but the enemy -was swarming round the southern flank in great -numbers, and the river, which is not more formidable -than an average South of England trout stream, was -of little use as a protection. An important point -named Nobescourt Farm, lying near the junction of -brigades, had fallen into the hands of the enemy, -and the village of Poeuilly was also taken. By evening -the Fiftieth Division had done its work, however, as -it had held up the pursuit and enabled the Nineteenth -Corps to reach the line of the Somme without severe -pressure. That night they received orders to withdraw, -which were carried out in the morning of -March 23, Martin's 149th Brigade in the south making -a show of fighting in order to cover the movements of -their companions in the north who were moving -over a perfectly flat plain from Mons to Brie. Finally, -General Riddell destroyed Tertry bridge and dropped -back to St. Christ. During all these operations the -German infantry were moving slowly forward in -successive lines of skirmishers, about a thousand -yards from the British, who retired in leisurely -fashion, continually turning and holding them up, -so that the whole spectacle was exactly that of a -well-ordered field-day. When the main body had -reached the bridges, a single company of the 5th -Northumberland Fusiliers lay out in the higher ground, -under the leadership of Captain Proctor, who received -the D.S.O. for his able conduct of the operation. -This company held up a brigade for two hours, and -then, their comrades being safely across, they withdrew -in their turn, leaving half their number behind -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P98"></a>98}</span> -them. Every one being across, both the St. Christ -and Brie bridges were blown up. The latter was a -brand-new construction and was in charge of an -American officer of engineers who distinguished -himself by his cool courage, starting out alone, and -bringing across the river a train full of ammunition -which lay upon the farther side. The Twenty-fourth -Division had crossed at Falvy, the rearguard action -being fought by the depleted battalions of the 72nd -Brigade. Colonel Pope of the 1st North Staffords, -Colonel Charlton of the 4th Yorks, and Colonel Le -Fleming of the 9th East Surreys were among those -who had fallen. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Nineteenth Corps was now covering a total -front of 20,000 yards along the western bank of the -stream, which is shallow and marshy in these reaches. -Their line was from Rouy-le-Crane in the south to -near Peronne, with some small outposts to the east -of the river. The Eighth Division (Heneker) had -come up on the morning of March 23, and occupied -the southern end of the line, with the remains of the -Twenty-fourth, the Sixty-sixth, and the Fiftieth -extending to the north. There we shall leave them -while we return to the history of the front line upon -March 21. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Eighteenth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the right of the Nineteenth Corps was Maxse's -Eighteenth Corps covering the ground from the -Omignon valley to a point just west of St. Quentin, -with three divisions in the line. These were the -Sixty-first on the left, the Thirtieth in the centre, -and the Thirty-sixth in the south. The Sixty-first -Division, under General Colin Mackenzie, was one -of those fine second-line Territorial units which -have done so well in the later stages of the war. All -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P99"></a>99}</span> -three brigades were in the line, the 183rd Brigade -of Scottish troops in the north, the 184th in the -centre, and the 182nd in the south, both of the last -being from the South Midlands. The 2/4th Oxfords, -2/5th Gordons, and 2/8th Worcesters were the -devoted battalions which held the forward line, -and so fierce was their defence that the battle-line -was able to maintain itself along the whole -divisional front, in spite of very valiant efforts upon -the part of the German stormers, who showed absolute -contempt of death in their efforts to cut the wire at -those points where their artillery had failed to do so. -The story of the Enghien redoubt and its devoted -defence has already been told, but belongs to the -record of this division. The battle zone ran in the -main along the eastern edge of the Bois d'Holnon, and -this was desperately defended from morning to night. -In the afternoon the high ground south of Maissemy, in -the left rear of the division and outside their area, had -been captured, and the 2/4th Berkshires endeavoured -to help the Twenty-fourth Division in their counter-attack. -The Berkshires lost heavily in this venture, -and their gallant Colonel, Dimmer, who had won the -V.C. in the early days of the war, was shot through -the head leading his men on horseback to the very -lip of a trench full of Germans. Horse and groom -fell before the same volley. The Sixty-first resumed -its line after this action in the north, and it -maintained it intact until evening, the three divisions of -the German attack being practically held up by the -three heroic battalions in the front line, so that the -full weight of attack never reached the main line. It -was as solidly established in the evening as in the -morning. The position of the enemy on their left -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P100"></a>100}</span> -rear had become more and more menacing, as after -taking Maissemy they had pressed on to Villescholes. -This led to dangerous attacks from the north on the -early morning of March 22, in the course of which -the 183rd Brigade had to fight desperately to preserve -the flank of the division. The weight of this fighting -fell chiefly upon the 8th Argyll and Sutherlands, -who counter-attacked most valiantly, aided by the -remains of the gallant 2/4 Berkshire's, who had -suffered so severely the day before. Colonel M'Alpine -Downie of the Argylls was wounded, and died next -day. Even when the enemy had got as far westward -as Vermand, the Sixty-first Division was still rooted -to its ground, and the Highlanders on the left -flank recovered by a spirited advance nine guns -which had been overrun by the German advance -between Maissemy and Villescholes. The 9th Royal -Scots extended their line to the westward, and facing -north presented an unbroken front to the constant -hordes of Germans who were moving down the -northern slopes of the Omignon valley in the direction -of Caulaincourt. It was not until late in the afternoon -of March 22 that the Sixty-first Division retired, still -fighting, to a prepared position north of Vaux. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Eighteenth Corps. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Next to the Sixty-first Division was the Thirtieth -under General Williams. This division had two -brigades—the 21st (Goodman) and the 90th (Poyntz)—in -the line, the latter officer being known to all -sportsmen as the famous Somerset batsman. The -front of 4000 yards was from the immediate -west of St. Quentin to the Somme, and included -two notable strong points, Manchester Hill and -the Epine du Dullon. The 89th Brigade under -General Stanley was in the immediate rear. It was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P101"></a>101}</span> -not used as a unit during the day, but the three -fine battalions of the King's Liverpool Regiment, the -17th, 18th, and 19th, were dispersed in the evening -to reinforce three separate units. -</p> - -<p> -The fighting along the front of the Thirtieth -Division was of a very desperate character. The -forward battalions were the 2nd Wilts and the 16th -Manchesters. Rushing through the gaps in their line -of defence, the Germans flung themselves upon the -battle zone, where after long fighting which lasted -into the afternoon they gained possession of the two -posts already mentioned, and worked into the main -battle-line at Savy. Both brigades lost very heavily -during these attacks, but the addition of the 18th -and 19th King's from Stanley's brigade helped them -to carry on under most trying conditions. Both -these reinforcing battalions came in for severe fighting -in the evening, and the 18th King's, which joined in -a counter-attack by the 21st Brigade, was particularly -hard hit, while the 19th had hardly an officer left, -the colonel falling at the head of his men. As a -final result of the day's battle both the brigades -were somewhat driven in upon the front, but each -held its line and was ready to renew the battle -next morning. The 2nd Bedfords particularly -distinguished themselves during this day of incessant -fighting, making no less than six successful -counter-attacks in order to clear their sector when it was -partly occupied by the Germans. Up to 4 o'clock -in the afternoon of March 22 the Thirtieth were -still firm in their positions, and it was only the general -situation of the Army which finally compelled them -to abandon them. They dropped back upon the -general line of Ham, where the three scattered -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P102"></a>102}</span> -battalions of the 89th Brigade had been ordered to -form one unit once more. Of the Manchester men -in the front rank upon the day of battle hardly a man -ever got away, and their splendid Colonel Elstob lay -dead with the greater part of his battalion around -him. He had said: "The Manchesters will defend -Manchester Hill to the last," and he lived and died -true to his word. A superior officer reporting upon -this episode said: "At about 11 o'clock Colonel -Elstob informed me that the Germans had broken -through and were swarming round the redoubt. -At about 2 P.M. he said that most of his men were -killed or wounded, including himself; that they were -all getting dead beat, that the Germans had got into -the redoubt and hand-to-hand fighting was going -on. He was still quite cheery. At 3.30 he was -spoken to on the telephone and said very few were -left and that the end was nearly come. After that -no further answer could be got." -</p> - -<p> -On the right of the Thirtieth Lancashire Division -was the Thirty-sixth Ulster Division under the -command of General Nugent, one of the many good -soldiers who were trained by South Africa for this -greater ordeal. That scrambling and difficult -campaign has, though its lessons were most imperfectly -apprehended, proved to be an invaluable preparation -for the leaders in the world's war of the future. The -Ulster division had all three brigades in the line, the -109th (Ricardo) to the north, the 107th (Witteycombe) -in the centre, and the 108th (Griffiths) in the -south. The three outlying battalions were the 12th -and 15th Irish Rifles and the 2nd Inniskilling Fusiliers, -which suffered the common fate of all who held that -post of danger. Not a man returned, save a few of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P103"></a>103}</span> -the Irish Rifles, who swam down the canal that -night. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Eighteenth Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The front held by the Ulstermen was from the -Somme on the left to the neighbourhood of Urvillers -on the right, a distance of 6000 yards. Three -German divisions attacked upon this frontage, but -the edge of their onslaught was blunted by the -splendid resistance of the three doomed battalions -in the van. None the less, it surged with great -violence all along the edge of the battle zone, but it -was everywhere held save only at the hamlet of -Contescourt, where the Germans obtained a lodgment. -The whole defence of the division was imperilled, -however, by the fact that the Germans had bitten -deeply into the British line to the south of the 108th -Brigade, getting as far as Essigny on their right rear, -with the effect that a deep defensive flank had to be -thrown back in this direction, which used up all the -reserves of the division. Thus, when the Germans -late that day and in the following morning pressed -their advantage at Contescourt, and were stopped -by the magnificent resistance of the 1st Inniskilling -Fusiliers at the neighbouring village of Fontairie-les-Clercs, -they should have been permanently held, as -they were driven back in twelve successive attacks. -As there were no reserves available for a counter-attack, -however, the defence was gradually worn down -by a great disparity of numbers, so that by March 22 -the Germans had advanced into the sector of the line -which ran down the course of the rivulet which is -dignified by the name of the Somme. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Eighteenth Corps. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Such, in brief, was the experience of the three -divisions which held the line of the Eighteenth -Corps on March 21. The Twentieth Division in -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P104"></a>104}</span> -reserve was not employed during the day, nor were -its services needed, for Maxse's Corps, though attacked -by eight German divisions, was able to hold its ground, -thanks largely to the splendid resistance of the -shock-absorbing battalions in the front line. Up to 4 -P.M. of March 22 the enemy had made no permanent -advance into the battle zone, but at that hour both -flanks of the Corps had been turned at Maissemy in -the north and at Essigny in the south, and the -alternative was retirement or absolute isolation and -destruction. It may then briefly be said that, thanks -to the resolute resistance of the battalions in the -forward zone, and to the solidity of those in the -battle zone, the Eighteenth Corps was able to maintain -its ground until it was ordered to leave it, and that -save for some indentation of its front, especially at -Contescourt, its main positions remained inviolate. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Third Corps. March 21. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Upon the right of the Eighteenth Corps lay the -Third Corps, which covered the enormous front of -30,000 yards. Of the nine brigades in the corps, -eight were in the line and only one in reserve, so that -between the tenuity of the line and its want of -support it was an extremely tempting mark for the -German assault, especially as by ignoring the two -brigades south of the Oise they could concentrate -their whole force upon the six brigades in line in the -north. It is true that the wide marshes of the Oise -offered an impediment which covered part of the -British line, but as already remarked, the waters were -exceedingly low for the time of year, and the Germans -very cleverly overcame whatever obstacle was left. -</p> - -<p> -The three divisions which formed Butler's Third -Corps were the Fourteenth Light Division (Cowper), -which extended as far south as Moy, the Eighteenth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P105"></a>105}</span> -Division (Lee) covering the ground between Moy and -Travecy, and finally the Fifty-eighth Division (Cator) -extending to Barisis, five or six miles south of the -Oise. As usual, we will take them from the north, -confining the narrative to the point at which the -fighting in the front line came to an end. -</p> - -<p> -The Fourteenth Division had all three brigades -in the line, their order being 41st, 42nd, and 43rd -from the north. This division, composed entirely -of light infantry battalions, has had more than its -share of desperate adventures during its service in -France. Again and again, notably in the fire-attack -before Ypres in 1915, in the third battle of Ypres, -and upon the present occasion, they have been -exposed to ordeals of the most tremendous kind. -Their frontage was 5500 yards, which was not excessive -as compared with that of other divisions, and it -contained some high ground north of Essigny which -should have been valuable for observation and defence, -but none the less the attack was so severe and so -concentrated that it rapidly made an impression -upon the defence, which became more serious as the -day wore on. The three outlying battalions were -the 8th and 9th King's Royal Rifles and the 6th -Somerset Light Infantry, and these, as usual, were -sacrificed almost to a man. The enemy then stormed -in upon the line, making his advance here, as -elsewhere, with a systematic skill which showed how -thoroughly he had been drilled and exercised behind -the line. This process of infiltration by which small -bodies here, there, and everywhere extend their -advance where they find a cranny into which to push -and establish machine-gun posts which, unless they -be instantly rooted out, soon grow into formidable -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P106"></a>106}</span> -positions, shows the remarkable adaptability of the -German soldier—a quality with which, it must be -admitted, the world had not credited him in the past. -It may also be admitted that we yielded too easily -to such tactics, and that there was a tendency, as -was pointed out in a memorandum from the Higher -Command, to consider a position as untenable because -it was outflanked, instead of closing in upon the -intruders and pressing each side of the nut-crackers -against the intrusive nut. In many cases this was -done, but in others small bodies of daring men with -a few machine-guns were able to dislodge whole lines -which they had managed to enfilade. On this -occasion the Germans pushed in upon both flanks -of the Fourteenth Division, but their most serious -gains occurred about mid-day, when they captured -Manufacture Farm north of Essigny, and, shortly -afterwards the weighbridge west of that village. -The 41st Brigade on the left were driven out of -their headquarters, while the 43rd on the right -were pushed back to the Gibercourt Road. A very -weak point was evidently developing, so General -Butler hurried up part of the Second Cavalry Division -(Greenly), and also his only spare infantry brigade, -the 54th (Sadleir-Jackson) in order to make a line -of resistance at the switch line between Camas and -Lizerolles. About 1.30 the Germans had got in -between Essigny and Benay and taken Lambay -Wood. In view of their accelerating advance and -the ominous reports which were also coming in from -the 173rd Brigade on the right, General Butler -continued to build up his rear line, putting into it -not only all three brigades of the Second Cavalry and -the 54th Infantry Brigades, but also the 12th and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P107"></a>107}</span> -13th Entrenching Battalions, thus covering the whole -rear zone of the corps. Isolated parties of the 41st -Brigade were holding out in the main position upon -the left, but Hinacourt had also fallen and the line -was slowly rolling westward, so that by evening the -Fourteenth Division had practically lost its hold of -the whole of its battle position. -</p> - -<p> -Things were going better, however, with the -Eighteenth Division, which held 9000 yards of front -in the centre of the Third Corps. As this great -frontage was maintained by only two brigades, the -53rd (Higginson) in the north and the 55th (Wood) -in the south, it must have been very thinly held, and -even admitting that the pressure was less than on -either of the wing divisions, it was none the less a -fine achievement to keep a grip on so wide an area. -Three battalions were in the forward zone, the 8th -Berks on the left, the 7th West Kents in the centre, -and the 7th Buffs on the right, all of whom did -splendidly, so that the defence of Fort Vendeuil, Cork, -Cardiff, Durham, and other redoubts upon this point -form a whole series of epics. Besides the infantry, -the 79th Company Royal Engineers shared in the -peril and the glory of this defence. The wires -connecting up these forward garrisons were speedily cut, -and no news came back all day, save the rattle of -their rifle-fire. The first definite tidings of the -German advance came back through the fog about -12 o'clock, when some gunners emerged from -its folds and announced that the advanced guns -had been overrun by the enemy. Soon after came -a runner with a message from Colonel Crosthwaite -of the West Kents to say that his headquarters was -surrounded, and asking for a barrage on one side -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P108"></a>108}</span> -of it. A second message arrived from him: "Still -holding, 12.30 P.M. Boche all round within fifty -yards except rear. Can only see forty yards, so it is -difficult to kill the blighters." It was the last word -from the post. At 1.30 the enemy had closed in on -the battle zone, and the high ground at Cerisy in the -area of the 53rd Brigade had been lost. On the -front of the 55th Brigade at the same hour strong -parties of the enemy who had pushed between the -redoubts in the fog had occupied Vendeuil, while a -section of guns in Ronquenet Wood had been rushed -by them. The reserve company of the Buffs in front -of the battle zone fought desperately against these -intruders, while near the Dublin redoubt Captain -Dennis fought his guns till 5 P.M., inflicting heavy -losses upon the Germans, who collected in masses in -front of the wire at this point. Eventually his -gun-pits were rushed, all the gunners being killed or taken. -The main weight of the attack fell upon the 53rd -Brigade upon the left, and by the middle of the -afternoon all the redoubts upon this front had gone, -while the 55th was still well covered. The battle -zone, however, was still intact, though the enemy -massed heavily in front of Moulin Farm and opposite -the switch line from Vendeuil to Ly-Fontaine. They -came forward several times, but the mist had risen -and the rifle-fire was accurate so that they made no -progress. At Caponne Farm there was also a brisk -attack, but the 10th Essex, the only battalion left -in the brigade, held firmly to its position, though -much plagued by low-flying aeroplanes who skimmed -their very heads, while the British Headquarters was -equally disturbed by a captured anti-tank gun with -which the Germans kept up a point-blank fire. To -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P109"></a>109}</span> -ease the pressure upon this wing, General Lee put in -the 8th East Surreys from divisional reserve to -thicken the line in the neighbourhood of Remigny. -</p> - -<p> -At 3.30 the covering forts upon the front of the -55th Brigade were still holding out. Fort Vendeuil -had made a particularly fine defence and broke up -a heavy attack. There was lamp signalling from -this fort till 6 P.M., when the lamp went out for ever. -The 7th Buffs, who had charge of all this portion of -the battle front, did a magnificent day's work, and the -famous regiment to which this battalion belongs has -won no prouder laurels in all the centuries. Little is -known of their fate save the pregnant facts that the -front was screened all day, that repeated messages -for help were received up to 8.30 in the evening, and -that rifle-fire was heard from their posts till midnight. -Bald words—and yet to him who can see they convey -a sure picture of fading light, dwindling cartridges, -and desperate men, baited from all sides and dying -with clenched teeth amid the ever-flowing German -hordes. -</p> - -<p> -About 4 o'clock the Germans had not only penetrated -deeply into the battle zone of the Fourteenth -Division to the north, but had also dented that of -the Fifty-eighth in the south, so that both wings of -the Eighteenth were in a perilous state. The East -Surreys were pushed forward, therefore, into the -switch line from Gibercourt to Ly-Fontaine. Two -regiments of dismounted cavalry from the Second -Division were sent also to form a defensive flank upon -the right of the 55th Brigade. At 6 P.M. the attack -upon the battle zone of the Eighteenth had ceased, -but it was being pushed hard upon the two wing -divisions, and the Fifty-eighth had lost both Quessy -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P110"></a>110}</span> -and Fargniers. Orders were then issued to get behind -the Crozat Canal after dark, this having always been -chosen as the second line of defence. The 54th -Brigade, which behaved with great steadiness, was -directed to cover the retirement of the Fourteenth -Division, and the guns were withdrawn first, so as -to cover the infantry at the canal crossings. A few -of the outlying posts were gathered up and brought -back in safety. The East Surreys covered the withdrawal -of the poor remains of the 53rd Brigade, while -the 3rd Hussars covered the 55th Brigade on the -right. It was a most difficult and delicate operation -with a victorious and elated enemy swarming upon -the rear, but it was successfully carried out, and by -6 A.M. the Third Corps were all across the canal, and -the bridges in that sector had been destroyed. -</p> - -<p> -The performance of the Eighteenth Division had -been a very fine one, and it was one of the units which -could boast that on the evening of that terrible day -they still held the main position which they had -covered in the morning. The main German attack -seems to have been conducted by four divisions, the -Thirty-fourth, Thirty-seventh, One hundred and -third, and Two hundred and eleventh, while four -more were identified as either partly engaged or in -immediate reserve. The direction of the attack was -mainly from the north and came upon the front and -flank of the 53rd Brigade, which could hardly call -itself a battalion in the evening. The gunners had -to fire by guess until the mist lifted, after which time -they did great execution, and stuck to their pieces -to the last moment. A particularly notable -performance was that of Captain Haybittle of C Battery, -83rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery, whose guns, just -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P111"></a>111}</span> -south of Benay, were rushed in the mist at noon. -He and his crews removed the blocks and held a -neighbouring position with their rifles, directing at -the same time the fire of two guns in the rear which -played upon the German masses as they debouched -from Lambay Wood. Afterwards he and his men -fell back upon these guns and fought them until late -in the evening, when both of them were knocked out. -Nineteen hundred rounds were fired, and this stubborn -defence did much to hold the northern flank of the -battle zone. -</p> - -<p> -It only remains now to give some account of the -events upon the front of the 173rd Brigade (Worgan) -of the Fifty-eighth London Division (Cator) upon the -extreme right, in order to complete this rapid bird's-eye -view of the events of March 21 upon the front of -the Fifth Army. This brigade, which filled the space -between Travecy on the left and the Oise upon the -right, had the 2/1 Londons in the forward zone, the -2/4 Londons in the battle zone opposite La Fère, and -the 2/3 Londons in the rear zone upon the Crozat -Canal.[<a id="chap04fn1text"></a><a href="#chap04fn1">1</a>] The single battalion in front was attacked -by the impossible odds of three German divisions, but -held out for a long time with great constancy. Their -brave Colonel, Richardson, was last seen surrounded -by the enemy, but still fighting with his headquarters -troops around him. The Germans stormed forward -to the battle zone, but there on the high ground -across the Oise they also met with a very vigorous -resistance from the 4th Londons, aided by some -sappers and a company of pioneers. It was indeed -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P112"></a>112}</span> -a great achievement of Colonel Dann and his men to -hold up the attack with such disparity of numbers, -for according to the official German account several -divisions took part in the attack. Finally, as the -afternoon wore on the enemy obtained a lodgment -in the left of the position, and before evening they -had occupied Travecy and part of Fargniers, winding -up by the capture of Quessy. The 2/3 Londons had -been drawn into the fight, and now the 2/8 Londons -from the 174th Brigade were brought north and -placed in reserve along the line of the Crozat Canal, -across which the troops were now ordered to fall back. -This battalion with the 18th Entrenching Battalion -guarded the whole canal line from Condren Crossing -on the right to the junction with the Eighteenth -Division on the left. By 5 A.M. all troops were across -and the bridges had been destroyed. The 2/4th -Londons succeeded in removing all their stores and -munitions, and their remarkable achievement in -holding the high ground of La Fère against ten times -their numbers for as many hours, during which they -inflicted very heavy losses upon their assailants and -repulsed six separate attacks, was among the -outstanding military feats of that difficult day. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="footnote"> -<a id="chap04fn1"></a> -[<a href="#chap04fn1text">1</a>] When two numbers are given to a -Territorial battalion, for instance -2/4 Londons, it means that the 4th Londons -have two battalions and that -this is the second of them. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It is needless to say that the losses in men -were very heavy on March 21, though it is -difficult to separate them from the general losses of -the retreat, which will be recorded later. Among -senior officers of note who died for their country that -day, besides those already mentioned, were Colonels -Acklom of the Northumberland Fusiliers, Thorne of -the North Staffords, Wrenford of the East -Lancashires, and Stewart of the Leicesters. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-112-t"></a> -<br /> -<a href="images/img-112.jpg"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-112-t.jpg" alt="General line of Army on March 21st." /> -</a> -<br /> -General line of Army on March 21st. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P113"></a>113}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER V -<br /><br /> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -Retreat of the Seventh and Nineteenth Corps -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Problem before General Gough—His masterful action—Arrival of -Thirty-ninth, Twentieth, and Fiftieth Divisions—Retreat of -Tudor's Ninth Scottish Division—Destruction of the South -Africans—Defence of the Somme—Arrival of the Eighth -Division—Desperate fighting—The Carey line—Death -of General Feetham—"Immer -fest daran"—Advance Australia—Great achievement of -General Watts. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Fifth Army. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The reader is now in a position to form some -conception of the situation of the Fifth Army upon the -evening of March 21, and to understand the problems -which confronted its commander. He was of opinion, -and the opinion was shared by some at least of his -corps commanders, that had he had four or five -divisions of reserves within easy call, he could -unquestionably have held the line. He had, however, -to deal with the situation as it stood, and no man -could have had a more difficult and responsible task. -His own reserves were already practically engaged. -On the other hand, both his air service and the -reports of prisoners assured him that those of the -enemy were numerous and near. His line had been -deeply dented in four places: in the sector of the -Sixteenth Division at Ronssoy, in that of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P114"></a>114}</span> -Twenty-fourth Division at Maissemy, in that of the -Fourteenth Division at Essigny, and in that of the -Fifty-eighth Division opposite La Fère. These various -points are, it will be observed, almost equidistant along -the line, which tends to show that the German attack -was conducted upon a plan which threw such forces -upon limited areas that the result was almost a -certainty, whatever troops might be holding them. -It was the misfortune and not the fault of these gallant -divisions that their thin ranks were in the very places -which huge hordes of the enemy had marked in -advance as their objectives. -</p> - -<p> -It must have been clear to General Gough and -to his corps commanders that a second day of battle, -with the German reserves pouring up, would certainly -mean a penetration of the line at these various weak -points, and that the enemy would then be in a position -to cut off large portions of the force. These units, -be they divisions or corps, would no doubt fight to -the last, but the end must surely be annihilation. In -that case the general situation would have been an -appalling one. It might indeed have been decisive -for the whole war. There was nothing between the -Germans and Amiens. Pouring westwards they -would have destroyed all reserves almost before they -could have alighted from their trains or their motors, -and within a few days would have entirely cut off -the British from the French, with the estuary of the -Somme between the two armies. Any hesitation -would have been fatal. An immediate decision was -imperative. That decision could only be that the -British Army should retard the German advance by -an obstinate rearguard action, that it should endeavour -to preserve its line, and allow no unit to be cut off, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P115"></a>115}</span> -that it should fall back in an orderly fashion upon -its reserves, and that when it met them it should -turn at bay and prevent the enemy from reaching his -objective. This was the plan which General Gough -instantly formed, and which he proceeded with -firmness and moral courage to carry out. Orders were -at once given that the weaker portions of the line -should drop back behind the obstacles which had -already been marked out as the best defensive lines. -At the same time with great foresight he gave orders -that the old French Somme trenches, from the river -southwards, should be set in order as a last line of -defence. He despatched his chief army engineer, -General Grant, to carry out this order, and it was -eventually a very vital one in ensuring the safety -of the army in the last stages of its retreat. -</p> - -<p> -The orders to each corps commander were given -in the form of general indications, the details being -left to his own judgment, for the position of each -corps and the pressure upon it formed a number of -independent problems. We shall turn to the north -therefore, where, upon the whole, the situation was -least critical, and we shall follow first the Seventh and -then the Nineteenth Corps in their various movements -until a condition of equilibrium was at last -safely established. Let it be at once stated that the -design was duly carried out along the whole line, -and that the operation, which at the time was -designated as a disaster, was really a remarkable -example of how by the coolness of commanders and -the discipline of their men, the most desperate -situation may be saved and the most powerful and -aggressive foe foiled in his attempts. What complicated -the military problem of the Fifth Army was that the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P116"></a>116}</span> -German threat was really aimed at Paris as much as -at Amiens, and that if they could have got through -at Essigny and cut off the Fifty-eighth Division there -were hardly any reserves between them and the -all-important metropolis. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventh Corps. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The morning of March 22 again presented those -conditions of fog and low visibility which are -favourable to the attack. There was no advance in the -early hours upon the new positions of the Ninth -Division, but the enemy directed his attention entirely -to the Chapel Hill front of the Twenty-first Division -upon the right, which was still held by the Lincolns. -An attempt was made to relieve them by the -Scots battalion of the South Africans, who took over -some of the northern line. The defence was a -splendid one, but by 4 o'clock in the afternoon -the Germans had gained most of this high ground -by outflanking it, and the South Africans at -Revelon Farm, who had been reinforced by the 11th -Royal Scots Battalion from the 27th Brigade, were -badly enfiladed in consequence by rifle and -machine-gun fire from the south. Colonel M'Leod of the -South African Scots, and many officers and men, -were among the casualties. There was a withdrawal -therefore of the right of the Ninth Division, and about -6.30 P.M. the Germans had got as far as Heudicourt, -and the brigade staff at Sorel had to line up in order -to resist his turning movement to the north. So far -round had the Germans penetrated that the Africans -were compelled to fall back due north for some -distance until their rear was clear, when they -retreated with the rest of the division westwards -towards Nurlu. By two in the morning of March 23 -the new positions had been reached, and the attenuated -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P117"></a>117}</span> -South African Brigade, which had borne the brunt -of the fighting, was taken into divisional reserve. -This difficult retreat was rendered possible by the -desperate resistance offered by the 6th Scots Borderers, -who formed a defensive flank south of Sorel and gave -the troops to the north time to gain the new position. -One company of the 11th Royal Scots was cut off -in Revelon Farm, but managed to fight their way -back, bringing with them an officer and eighteen other -prisoners. No guns were lost by the Ninth Division -save ten, which were without teams and were therefore -destroyed. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventh Corps. March 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At this period there was some dislocation between -the left of the Ninth Division and the right of the -Forty-seventh, as is likely to occur where each belongs -to a different corps and army. For a time there was -a gap between them. This was partly overcome, -however, on the evening of the 22nd by means of -the Second Division, which lay in reserve behind the -Forty-seventh and put its 99th Brigade under the -orders of the Ninth Division so as to ensure unity -of command in this position of danger. -</p> - -<p> -Turning to the right wing of the Seventh Corps -allusion has been made in the last chapter to the -severe pressure upon the Sixteenth Division and its -determined resistance. It will be remembered that -it was reinforced by the 116th Brigade of the -Thirty-ninth Division, and all three brigades were involved -in the same heavy fighting on the morning of -March 22, the German attack being relentless in its -vigour. In the course of this severe action the village -of St. Emilie was lost, and was afterwards retaken -in a very gallant fashion by the 1st Hertfords, a -battalion which had greatly distinguished itself -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P118"></a>118}</span> -already at St. Julien and elsewhere. The orders -were to retreat, however, and in this movement the -switch line from Saulcourt dug and manned by the -117th and 118th Brigades proved invaluable. The -army policy was to fight rearguards and delay the -enemy, and this was most efficiently done during the -evening of March 22, the flank of the Twenty-first -Division being covered in its retirement, and the line -held against vigorous attacks. Many of the guns -of the Thirty-ninth Divisional artillery were lost -through their extreme devotion in covering the retreat -of the Sixteenth Division, for they frequently carried -on until the infantry were behind them. The enemy -was pressing his attacks with great vigour, and every -withdrawal was followed up by strong bodies of -troops and of field artillery. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventh Corps. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -During these operations General Hornby had been -in command of the division, but on March 23 -General Feetham returned from leave and took over -the duties. All day the Thirty-ninth Division was -fighting rearguard actions as it fell back upon the -Somme. In the course of them General Hornby, -now in command of the 116th Brigade, was severely -wounded. The roads running westwards to Peronne -and Clery were crowded with traffic, but the Thirty-ninth -Division turned at bay again and again, giving -them time to get clear. By evening the remains of -the Sixteenth Division had been practically squeezed -out of the line, and the Thirty-ninth had the -Sixty-sixth Division on its right and the Twenty-first -on its left. At night it held a line from La -Maisonnette along the canal to south of Ommiecourt. -The enemy appeared to be much exalted -by the capture of Peronne, and the 118th Brigade -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P119"></a>119}</span> -on the right heard them singing lustily during the -night. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventh Corps. March 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On March 23 the German attack continued to be -very heavy upon the front of the two Scottish brigades -of the Ninth Division, which were in touch with the -Fifth Corps in the north and with the Twenty-first -Division in the south. So close and violent was the -fighting that the 6th Scots Borderers were only -extricated with difficulty. At 2 P.M. the line was -east of Bouchavesnes, but by 4 P.M. the Twenty-first -Division on the right had lost ground, and the -flank and even the rear of the Ninth was for a time -exposed until the Natal Regiment was thrown out -south of Bouchavesnes to cover it. The three brigades -of the Twenty-first Division were engaged all day as -they slowly retreated before the swarming enemy. -</p> - -<p> -March 23 was a most arduous day for both the -Highland and the Lowland brigades, for each of -them was attacked again and again with the utmost -violence. Though the attacks were repulsed each -of them had the effect of weakening still further -these units which were already much exhausted by -hard fighting and incessant exertion. Gradually they -were pushed to the westward until they found themselves -lining the eastern edge of St. Pierre Vaast Wood, -and manning the ridge which extended from that -forest to the ruins of Saillisel. Their left at this -period seems to have been in the air, as the 99th -Brigade had been returned to its division, and they -had failed to make contact with the Seventeenth -Division, who were at the time just west of Saillisel. -At this period the front of the Ninth Division seems -to have covered 11,000 yards, and to have extended -for at least two miles into the area of the Third Army, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P120"></a>120}</span> -showing how desperate were the exertions needed to -cover the ground and to prevent a break through. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventh Corps. March 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the morning of March 24 the Scots could see -the German infantry streaming forward over the -open ground which had been evacuated upon the -evening before. It was clear that a great attack was -imminent, and at 9 o'clock, after a very heavy -cannonade, it developed along the whole line. For three -hours the Germans made repeated efforts to force -their way through the Ninth Division, but on each -occasion they were repulsed, and their losses at this -point were exceedingly heavy. About mid-day, -however, they had gained so much ground upon the -flanks that the South Africans were almost -surrounded, and shot into from north and south. The -general British line had fallen back to the ridge east -of Combles, 1000 yards behind, but General Dawson -found it impossible to withdraw in daylight, so that -his brigade was compelled to defend itself in its -isolated position at Marrières Wood as best it could. -The result was a disaster, but one of a most glorious -kind, for the men fought until their last cartridges -had been expended, and a large proportion of the -survivors were wounded men. General Dawson was -among the prisoners. It was reported afterwards -from German sources that he was taken while working -a machine-gun with his brigade-major lying dead -beside him. The whole defence was said by the -Germans to have been one of the finest things in -the war. From that time forward the South African -Brigade had practically ceased to exist until it was -reorganised in Flanders. The supporting parties alone -were left, and these were formed at once into a -composite battalion under Colonel Young, for no rifle -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P121"></a>121}</span> -could be spared from the fighting line at such a time. -Whilst the South Africans had been engaged in this -death struggle the 27th Lowland Brigade had been -in a similar plight. All these battalions, the 6th -Scots Borderers and the 11th and 12th Royal Scots, -were very hard pressed, particularly the former. The -Lowlanders extricated themselves from an almost -desperate situation and fell back from St. Pierre -Vaast to the position covering Combles. So great -was the general dislocation of troops that one portion -of the 5th Camerons found themselves that evening -fighting with the Forty-seventh Division, while -another was with the Seventeenth. -</p> - -<p> -The main effort of the enemy upon March 24 was -directed against the Fifth and Seventh Corps in the -centre of the British line, though his energy at other -points was sufficient to engage the full attention of -all the other units. Heavy and fresh masses were -poured in at the centre and the pressure was great. -For the Seventh Corps it was the fourth day of -incessant and desperate fighting. There were few -men left, and these were very exhausted. Towards -evening the left of the Seventh had been turned, and -had been compromised by the occupation of Sailly -Saillisel. All attempts at counter-attack, however -gallant, were destined to failure, or at the best -evanescent success, for there was not the weight to -carry them through. At 4.15 the report was: "The -enemy is through on the right flank and has occupied -Combles, Morval, and Lesbœufs." The Seventh -Corps then fell back to the line Hem-Maurepas and -threw out every stray unit it could get together—troops -of cavalry, Canadian motor-guns, crews and -machine-guns of tanks, and all the powdered débris -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P122"></a>122}</span> -of broken formations, in the direction of Bernafoy -Wood to cover the exposed flank. It was still out -of touch with the Fifth Corps. This movement -gave the line an awkward angle from Peronne and -made it almost impossible to hold the stretch of -river. For the time the right of the Third Army -was a good five miles behind the left of the Fifth -Army—the result, as Sir Douglas Haig has stated, -of an unauthorised local withdrawal due to -misunderstanding of orders. The line near Peronne was -still held by the Thirty-ninth Division. Throughout -the morning of the 24th strong enemy forces were -seen by them pushing forwards between Clery and -Rancourt, where they were harassed by the British -fire in enfilade, particularly on the roads, where the -artillery of the Sixteenth and Thirty-ninth Divisions -caused much havoc and confusion, doing great work -at short range over open sights. Many excellent -targets were missed, however, owing to that difficulty -in liaison between the infantry and the guns, which -was one of the greatest problems of the operations. -During the day the average number of rounds fired -per battery was 3000, most of which were observed -fire. -</p> - -<p> -As March 24 wore on the position of the Thirty-ninth -Division became untenable, as they heard upon -one side of the loss of Saillisel, and on the other of -the forcing of the Somme at Brie, Pagny, and -Bethencourt. They moved back, therefore, at night with -orders to hold the line from Buscourt to Feuilleres. -The average strength of brigades at this time was not -more than 20 officers and 600 men. From the -morning of March 25 the Thirty-ninth Division passed -to the command of the Nineteenth Corps, and its -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P123"></a>123}</span> -further arduous work will be found under that heading. -During all this day Campbell's Twenty-first Division, -still fighting hard in a succession of defensive positions, -had its right upon the Somme, while its left was in -intermittent touch with the Ninth Division. -</p> - -<p> -The Ninth Division had fallen back, the two -Scottish brigades being continually in action until -they reached the Maricourt-Montauban line, where -they supported the First Cavalry Division who -were in front of Bernafoy Wood. The general line -at this period from Montauban southwards was held -by the Ninth Division, the First Cavalry, the -newly-arrived and most welcome Thirty-fifth -Division (Franks), the Twenty-first Division, now -reduced to a single composite brigade under General -Headlam, and then some oddments under Colonel -Hunt. This brought the line to the Somme, on the -south side of which were the remains of the Sixteenth -and Thirty-ninth Divisions. This might sound -an imposing force upon so short a front, but save -for the Thirty-fifth each division was <i>nominis -magni umbra</i>, none of them stronger than brigades. -The Forty-seventh Division was retiring at this time -upon Contalmaison, and a gap of several miles was -appearing between the Fifth and Seventh Corps. -During the movements upon March 24 the guns of -the 65th and 150th R.F.A. did great work and earned -the warm gratitude of the weary infantry. The -enemy targets round Combles were all that a gunner -could wish. -</p> - -<p> -All troops north of the Somme were upon March 25 -transferred to the Fifth Corps, and became part of -the Third Army. The 27th Brigade was drawn out -of the line, and the 26th was under the orders of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P124"></a>124}</span> -Thirty-fifth Division which took over the defence of -this sector, relieving the exhausted Twenty-first -Division. March 25 saw heavy attacks on Bernafoy -which was lost once, but regained by the 106th -Brigade. There was still a gap to the north, and no -touch had been made with the Seventeenth Division, -though the cavalry had built up a defensive flank -in that direction. At 2 P.M. the Germans attacked -from Ginchy towards Trones Wood, names which -we hoped had passed for ever from our war maps. -In the first onset they pressed back the 12th and -18th Highland Light Infantry of the 106th Brigade, -but there was a strong counter-attack headed by -the 9th Durhams which retook Favière Wood and -restored the situation. A second attack about 3 -P.M. upon the Thirty-fifth Division was also repulsed. -The German pressure was so great, however, that the -line of defence was taken back during the night to the -Bray-Albert position. The enemy followed closely -at the heels of the rearguards, though the guns were -active to the last so as to conceal the retreat as long -as possible. Early in the morning of March 26 the -Lowland Brigade was again attacked with great -violence, but the 12th Royal Scots, upon whom the -main assault fell, drove it back with loss. Changes -in other parts of the line, however, necessitated a -withdrawal across the Ancre, so as to keep in touch -with the Twelfth Division which had now come up -on the left. The Ninth Division upon this date -numbered 1540 rifles with 20 machine-guns. It was -shortly afterwards drawn from the line after as severe -a spell of service as troops could possibly endure. -The story of the retreat of the Seventh Corps has been -indicated mainly from the point of view of this -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P125"></a>125}</span> -northern unit, but it will be understood that the -Twenty-first, as tried and as worn as its Scottish -neighbour, was keeping its relative position to the -south, while the Sixteenth was conforming in the -same way until the time when it passed into the -Nineteenth Corps. -</p> - -<p> -The Thirty-fifth Division, newly arrived from -Flanders, did great and indeed vital work in upholding -the weakening line at the moment of its greatest -strain. A consecutive account of its work may make -this clear. Pushing through the remains of the -Twenty-first Division on March 24, Franks threw -his men instantly into the thick of the fight, attacking -the Germans in front of Clery. Marindin's 105th -Brigade did great work that day, the 15th Cheshires -on the right and 15th Sherwood Foresters on the -left, attacking and, for a time, carrying the ridge of -Clery, though it was impossible in view of the general -retreat to hold it for long. The Germans were -staggered by the sudden, unexpected blow, and they -poured troops against their new antagonist, losing -very heavily in their reconquest of the ridge. Finally -the front line of the Sherwoods was practically -annihilated, and the Cheshires were in almost as bad -a way, but with the help of some Sussex men who -were formed into an emergency unit, together with -some signallers, they were able to draw off, and a line -of defence was organised under General Marindin, -but general orders arrived for a withdrawal to the -front Curlu-Maurepas, which was safely carried out, -the 17th Royal Scots covering the rear. It was a -most ticklish business, as touch had been lost with -the Ninth Division, but the wounded were safely -evacuated, and all withdrew in good order, the 12th -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P126"></a>126}</span> -Highland Light Infantry finally bridging the gap -upon the left. This battalion had lost in these -operations its splendid Colonel, Anderson, whose -work has earned a posthumous V.C. The enemy -followed closely, and attacked again before dusk, -but was driven off. The attack was renewed on -the morning of March 25, but still without success, -the 4th North Staffords bearing the brunt. The -weary troops of the Scottish division, who had been -engaged for four long days, were rallied here and -formed into provisional fighting units, which did -good service by relieving the 106th Brigade at -Maricourt, when it was forced back. The pressure -upon the division was desperately severe, but was -slightly eased by the arrival of a Northumberland -Fusilier battalion from the Twenty-first Division. -That night the order was to withdraw to the line -Bray-Albert. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Seventh Corps. March 25. March 30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The general command of the retiring line in this -section, including the Ninth, Twenty-first, and -Thirty-fifth Divisions had for the time fallen to General -Franks, who handed his own division over to General -Pollard. The position was exceedingly critical, as -not only were the units weak, but ammunition had -run low. The line was still falling back, and the -enemy was pressing on behind it with mounted scouts -in the van. In this retreat tanks were found of the -greatest service in holding the German advance. -The route was through Morlancourt and Ville-sur-Ancre -to a defensive position upon the right bank of -the Ancre in the Dernancourt area, the orders being -to hold the line between that village and Buire. -Both villages were attacked that evening, but the -Thirty-fifth Division on the right and the 26th -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P127"></a>127}</span> -Brigade on the left, drove back the enemy. By -the morning of March 28 the line seemed to have -reached equilibrium in this part, and the welcome -sight was seen of large bodies of troops moving up -from the rear. This was the head of the Australian -reinforcements. During the day the enemy got into -Dernancourt, but was thrown out again by the 19th -Northumberland Fusiliers Pioneer Battalion. The -104th Brigade also drove back an attack in front of -Treux Wood. It was clear that the moving hordes -were losing impetus and momentum. That same -evening the Australians were engaged upon the -right and inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. -On the night of March 30 the Thirty-fifth Division, -which had lost nearly half its numbers, was relieved -by the Third Australians. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We shall now follow the Nineteenth Corps in its -perilous retreat. It will be remembered that on the -evening of the first day of the battle it had been badly -outflanked to the north, where the Sixty-sixth Division -had made so stout a resistance, and had also lost a -great deal of the battle zone in the south, which was -made more disastrous by the fall of Le Verguier at -nine on the morning of March 22. The supporting -line formed by the Fiftieth Division had also been -pushed in at Pœuilly and other points, and it was with -no little difficulty that the depleted and exhausted -corps was able to get across the Somme on the -morning of March 23, where they were ordered to -hold the whole front of the river, including the -important crossings at Brie. This, as a glance -at the map will show, was a very considerable -retreat, amounting to no less than ten miles in two -days, but it was of the first importance to get a line -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P128"></a>128}</span> -of defence, and also to lessen the distance between -the sorely tried army and its reserves. It was hard -indeed to give up ground and to be back on the line -of Peronne, but there was at least the small solace -that this was the ravaged ground which the Germans -had themselves turned into a waste land, and that -there was no town of any consequence nor any military -point of importance in its whole extent. -</p> - -<p> -By the late afternoon of March 23 the bulk of -the Nineteenth Corps was across the Somme. The -Germans had followed closely, and there was -rearguard fighting all the way in which the Fiftieth -Division slowed down the pursuit of the enemy. -The officers who were entrusted with the defence of -the line of river soon realised that they had a difficult -task, for the dry weather had shrunk it into insignificance -in this section, and owing to trees and thick -undergrowth the fields of fire were very limited, while -the thin line of defenders scattered over some twelve -miles of front offered, even after the advent of the -Eighth Division, an ineffective screen against the -heavy advance from the east. Heneker's Eighth -Division, a particularly fine unit consisting entirely -of Regular battalions, had made heroic exertions to -reach the field of battle, and fitted itself at once into -its correct position in that very complicated operation -in a way which seemed marvellous to soldiers on the -spot. -</p> - -<p> -In the evening of March 23 a number of Germans, -some of them cavalry, were observed upon the farther -side of the Somme and were heavily punished by -artillery fire. None got across before dark, but -during the night numerous bodies established -themselves upon the western side. Local reserves had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P129"></a>129}</span> -been placed near the probable crossings, and these -in several cases hunted the enemy across again; but -the fact was that the river could be forded -anywhere, and that a German concentration on a -given point could always overpower the thin local -defence. The line of resistance was further weakened -by the First Cavalry Division, which had linked up -the Nineteenth Corps with the Eighteenth Corps on -the south, being now ordered to join the Seventh -Corps in the north. The general order of the troops -at this moment was, that the newly arrived Eighth -Division was on the extreme right touching elements -of the Eighteenth Corps at Bethencourt and extending -with the aid of one brigade of the Fiftieth as far as -Eterpigny, nearly eight miles. From Eterpigny to -Biaches, south of Peronne, were the remains of the -Sixty-sixth Division, covering about four miles, and -joining the Thirty-ninth Division on the right of the -Seventh Corps near that point. The Twenty-fourth -was lining up between Hattencourt and Chaulnes. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 24. March 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was on the front of the Eighth Division, at -Bethencourt, at Pargny, and at St. Christ, that the -Germans made their chief lodgments upon the western -banks of the river on the morning of March 24. -The Bethencourt attack was particularly formidable, -both for its energy and because it aimed at the -junction of the two corps. By two in the afternoon -the German infantry were across in considerable -numbers, and had forced back the right flank of the -Eighth Division, which fell back hinging upon the -river farther north, so as to oppose the repeated -efforts which were made to enfilade the whole line. -General Watts' responsibilities were added to next -morning, March 25, for the two much exhausted -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P130"></a>130}</span> -divisions of the Seventh Corps which were holding -the northern bend of the river from Biaches to beyond -Frise were handed over to him when the rest of -Congreve's Corps was incorporated in the Third Army. -These two divisions were the Thirty-ninth and the -Sixteenth, the former holding as far as Frise and the -latter the Somme crossings to the west of that point. -March 25 was a day of great anxiety tor General -Watts, as the enemy were pressing hard, many of his -own units were utterly exhausted, and the possibilities -of grave disaster were very evident. A real fracture -of the line at either end might have led to a most -desperate situation. The French were now at the -south end of the river position, but their presence was -not yet strongly felt, and with every hour the pressure -was heavier upon the bent line of the Eighth Division, -on which the whole weight of the central battle had -fallen. By 10 o'clock on the morning of March 25, -the defensive flank of the Eighth Division had been -pushed back to Licourt, and had been broken there, -but had been mended once more by counter-attack, -and was still holding with the aid of the Fiftieth. -The cyclists of the Nineteenth Corps, the armoured-car -batteries, and other small units were thrust in to -stiffen the yielding line, which was still rolled up, -until after one o'clock it lay back roughly from -Cizancourt to Marchelepot and the railway line west of -that place. Later in the day came the news of fresh -crossings to the north at St. Christ and Eterpigny -where the Sixty-sixth Division had been pushed back -to Maisonette. It was evident that the line was -doomed. To stay in it was to risk destruction. At -4.15 the order was given to withdraw to a second -position which had been prepared farther westward, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P131"></a>131}</span> -but to retain the line of the Somme as the left -flank. During these operations the Eighth Division -had performed the remarkable feat of holding back -and defeating fourteen separate German divisions -during thirty-six hours on a nine-mile front, and -finally withdrew in perfect order. Every unit was -needed to cover the ground, and the general disposition -of divisions was roughly as drawn: -</p> - -<pre> - Hattencourt. Estrees. Herbecourt. - Chantres. Assevillers. Frise. - <i>R.</i> 24 8 50 66 39 16 <i>L.</i> -</pre> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It will be seen that General Watts' command had -increased from two divisions to six, but it is doubtful -whether the whole six had the normal strength of -two. The new line had not yet been completed and -was essentially unstable, but none the less it formed -a rallying point for the retreating troops. It should -be noted that from the morning of March 25 General -Fayolle took over the command south of the -Somme. -</p> - -<p> -The Twenty-fourth Division, which had suffered -so severely in the first two days of the action, was -again heavily engaged during this arduous day. In -the morning it had been directed to counter-attack -in the direction of Dreslincourt in co-operation with -the French Twenty-second Division. In the meantime, -however, the whole situation had been changed -by the right flank of the Eighth Division being turned, -so that General Daly's men as they went up for the -attack were themselves heavily attacked near Curchy, -while the junction with the French could not be made. -They fell back therefore upon their original position -where hard fighting ensued all day, and a most -anxious situation developed upon the southern flank, -where a wide gap existed and the enemy was mustering -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P132"></a>132}</span> -in force. Colonel Walker, C.R.E. of this division, -was killed that day. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of March 26 the new line had -been occupied. The Seventeenth Corps had retired -in the night to the Bray-Albert line, which left a -considerable gap in the north, to the west of Frise, but -this was filled up by an impromptu line made up of -stragglers and various odds and ends from the rear -of the army. It was in the south, however, that the -attack was most severe, and here it soon became -evident that the line was too long and the defenders -too weak, so that it could not be maintained against -a determined assault. Before the sun had risen high -above the horizon it had been shaken from end to -end, the Twenty-fourth Division being hard put to it -to hold Fonches, while the Sixty-sixth were driven -out of Herbecourt. At 9.30 the order was given to -withdraw, and with their brave rearguards freely -sacrificing themselves to hold back the swarming -enemy, the troops—some of them in the last stage of -exhaustion—fell back upon a second position. It -was at this period of the battle that Major Whitworth, -the gallant commander of the 2/6 Manchester's, -stood at bay with his battalion, which numbered -exactly 34 men. He and 17 of his men were dead or -wounded after this last stand, and 17 survivors were -all that could be mustered that evening. -</p> - -<p> -Before the right wing fell back to Vrely there had -been a good deal of fighting. The Twenty-fourth -Division, which was now a mere skeleton, was strongly -attacked in the morning of March 27, and Dugan's -73rd Brigade was pushed back towards Caix, the -8th Sussex having very heavy losses, including -Colonel Hill, and Banham, the second-in-command. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P133"></a>133}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The situation upon the other flank of the Twenty-fourth -Division was also particularly desperate, and -the 9th East Surrey, under Major Clark, sacrificed -itself to cover the withdrawal of the 72nd Brigade. -There were few more gallant actions in the war. -Major Clark, writing from a German prison, gave a -small account which enables us to get a glimpse of -the actual detail of such a combat. The enemy's -infantry were in force, he says, within 100 yards -of his scattered line. "We managed to get back -some hundred yards when I saw that our position -was really desperate. The enemy were sweeping up -from the south, and several lines of them were in -between us and our next defensive line.... We -were seen and the enemy began to surround us, so -I decided to fight it out. We took up position in a -communication trench, and used our rifles with great -effect. Grant was doing good work till shot through -the head, and Warre-Dymond behaved admirably. -It was a fine fight, and we held them until ammunition -gave out. They then charged and mopped up the -remainder. They were infuriated with us. My -clothing had been riddled with shrapnel, my nose -fractured, and my face and clothing smothered with -blood. There are 3 officers and 59 men unwounded. -The rest of the battalion are casualties. It was a -great fight, and the men were simply splendid. I -have the greatest admiration for them. It was a -glorious end." Such were the class of men whom -the East End of London sent into the New Army. -</p> - -<p> -The new position on March 26 may be depicted -as follows: -</p> - -<pre> - Rosières. Framerville. Froissy. - Rouvroy. Vauvillers. Proyart. - <i>R.</i> 24 8 50 66 39 16 <i>L.</i> -</pre> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P134"></a>134}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Germans followed up closely all along the -line, the pressure being great everywhere, but greatest -on the left, where the Thirty-ninth and Sixty-sixth -disengaged themselves with difficulty, both of them -being heavily attacked, and the Cambridgeshires -fighting a fine rearguard action in Biaches. About -two in the afternoon the troops were solidly established -in their new positions, but the extreme north -of the line was in a very unstable condition, as the -Sixteenth were fired upon from the north of the river -and their left was in no condition to meet an attack. -On the right, however, there was earlier in the day -some very spirited fighting, for the Eighth and -Fiftieth Divisions, though very worn, were in far -better shape than their comrades who had endured -the gassings and the losses of the first day. -</p> - -<p> -The Fiftieth Division fought particularly hard to -stop the enemy's advance, turning at every rise, and -hitting back with all the strength that was left it. -A very fine little delaying action was fought by its -rearguard this day upon the line -Lihons-Vermandovillers—Foucaucourt. The -5th and 8th Durhams, with -a few of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers and a -couple of batteries, held up the advance for several -hours and stood their ground with such resolution -that two platoons of the Northumberlands were never -seen again, for they held on to Foucaucourt until -both they and the village were submerged. As the -day wore on and the pressure increased, the Sixty-sixth -Division was forced to let go of Framerville, -for these men had fought without sleep for five days -and nights. They staggered back through the rear -ranks of the Fiftieth Division, consisting of the 4th -Northumberland Fusiliers, who at once, under the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P135"></a>135}</span> -personal leading of General Riddell and Colonel -Anstey, both of them on horseback and in red-banded -caps, rushed the village once again. It was a fine -advance which was much helped by the way in which -Captain Thompson in Vauvillers brought his machine-guns -to bear upon the flank of the Germans advancing -to the south of him. Brigade-Major Paget, a very -rising officer, was killed in this spirited affair. -</p> - -<p> -No gains could ever be held, as the general line -was receding, but all such successful blows were of -use as slowing down the German advance, teaching -him caution, and gaining time—for time was the very -essence of the matter. If there were time the line -could be built up behind. If there were no time -Amiens must fall. "I will fight before Amiens, -in Amiens, or behind Amiens!" cried Foch. Brave -words, but if Amiens went, the future was dark -indeed. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At eight on the morning of March 27 the Germans -were raging once more along the whole line of -the British breakwater. The gallant weary Eighth -Division was heavily attacked near Rosières and the -stormers reached the village, but Heneker's men -counter-attacked in most heroic fashion, and cleared -them out again, taking a number of prisoners. The -2nd Devons, 1st Sherwoods, and 22nd Durham Light -Infantry were the units engaged in this fine action. -</p> - -<p> -News was bad from the north end of the line, and -it was understood that the Germans were in Proyart, -so both the Eighth and Fiftieth Divisions, out of their -scanty ranks, sent reinforcements (R.E. details and -the 2nd Devons) to help the Thirty-ninth Division. -At 3 P.M. on March 27 the Germans were in Framerville, -and an hour later were on the top of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P136"></a>136}</span> -Eighth and Fiftieth once more, in front of -Harbonnière. The rearguard of the latter were the 4th -and 6th Northumberland Fusiliers. The German -guns were in full blast that morning, and the infantry -full of ginger, but they could not break that -protective line, thin, disciplined, and flexible. The two -battalions could not cover the ground, and the -Germans streamed past their flank. In order to -support the advanced line every available man was -assembled on the reverse slope of a rise, just out of -sight of the Germans. In front of them they could -hear the roar of the battle, ever growing nearer as -the British line was rolled back. "We were a mixed -crowd," says one who was among them. "Staff -officers in red caps, clerks in spectacles, signalling -officers, cooks, sappers, and that extraordinary -never-beaten infantry." It was indeed one of the crises -of the war, for the situation was desperate just south -of the Somme, and if the enemy was through at this -point also the line would be in fragments. The -whole array waited over the curve of the hill, and -as the enemy, in eight or ten waves, poured over the -brow they fired at close range in the traditional -Busaco fashion of the peninsula. A bayonet charge -as of old completed the transaction, and the enemy -broke and fled, with a barrage beating down upon -his supports. The British infantry from the top of -the rise was treated to the welcome, and, as it must -be confessed, unusual sight of a large force of Germans -all shredded out and hurrying for the nearest shelter, -"like a football crowd caught in the rain." It is an -instance of the incurable levity of British troops -that they broke into the refrain of "Goodbyee! -Goodbyee! There's a silver lining in the skyee!" -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P137"></a>137}</span> -</p> - -<p> -In spite of their cheerfulness, however, the losses had -been heavy, both Colonel Robinson of the 6th and -Colonel Wright of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers -being among the casualties. Each of the battalions -now numbered little more than a hundred men. -</p> - -<p> -This brisk counter-attack was a healthy little -reminder to the Germans upon this section of the line -that the British infantry might be overborne by -numbers or by strategy, but that they were still the -men who had in the previous year chased them again -and again from the most formidable positions which -they could construct. But these points of aggressive -resistance were now rare and the men were worn out. -It does indeed seem to be an extreme example of the -weakness of the reserves at this period in France, that -in spite of the fact that the battle broke out upon -March 21, no help save the one division had in the -course of a week reached the overmatched and -exhausted troops. It is true that the Higher -Command may well have reckoned upon the French as -reserves, and this would have been perfectly true had -they been able to take over the ground in the south -and contract the British line. They did take over the -ground, but they took over most of the two British -Corps as well, so that the Nineteenth Corps was little -the better for their presence. Unaided by either -their own people or by the French, the Nineteenth -Corps still held on desperately with dwindling numbers -to a line which was far beyond their strength. -</p> - -<p> -Bad as was the position of the Nineteenth Corps, -it was made worse by the ever-changing position in -the north. When the Seventh Corps fell back to the -line of Bray it was behind the left flank of the -Nineteenth Corps. But now it was compelled to make -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P138"></a>138}</span> -a further move to the line Chipilly-Morlancourt, -while all bridges were ordered to be destroyed up to -Cherisy. This disposition was absolutely necessary -in view of what was happening in the Third Army -area; but it made the position more and more -difficult for the men in the south, who had either to -fall back or to see the gap of undefended river upon -their left rear grow wider and wider. General Watts -is a stubborn fighter with no idea of going back if it -can be in any way avoided, so he held on in the -south and fought a brisk, successful action there, -while he sent such poor reinforcements as he could -to the Sixteenth Division in the north, stopping the -dangerous rent with any odds and ends upon which -he could lay his hands. Three hundred improvised -infantry, six Lewis guns, and a battery in armoured -cars were the best that he could do, and these troops -actually did hold the river line in the north from the -early morning of March 27 until nightfall, against -an ever-growing menace. But they could not cover -all the ground, and the enemy, as was foreseen, was -coming over the river and getting behind the British -line. The Sixteenth Division was practically destroyed, -and the Thirty-ninth was in little better case, -though General Feetham showed great energy in -re-organising all the débris of units upon the road, so -that the line of resistance was very weak. In the -afternoon a considerable party of Germans with -machine-guns had got across the river at Cherisy, -west of Morcourt, held by seventy men of the Sixteenth -Division, and pushed on in the most daring way -south-west to Lamotte and Bayonvillers. They were -right across the rear of the Nineteenth Corps, and a -great disaster seemed inevitable, but weary as the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P139"></a>139}</span> -men were, and tired as were their leaders, they were -still capable of clear decision and swift action. The -river was for the moment abandoned, the left of -the line was swung south, and early upon March 28 -they faced north in this sector, along the track of the -Amiens-La Fère railway. Roughly, the new position -may be traced as follows: -</p> - -<pre> - Vrely. Gillancourt. - Warvillers. Caix. Wiencourt. Marcelcave. - +---------------------+ - <i>R.</i> 24 8 60 66 39 <i>L.</i> -</pre> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -This very difficult and remarkable disengagement -was particularly trying for the Thirty-ninth Division -since it had farthest to go and was in close contact -with the enemy. It was carried out in broad daylight -in the morning of March 28, and with such skill that -there was no great loss in the 118th Brigade which -covered it, but so close was the enemy that both -General Bellingham and his brigade-major, Major -F. Gunner, were captured while personally supervising -the withdrawal. After this operation the remains -of the Thirty-ninth Division were occupying the line -from Marcelcave to Wiencourt inclusive, along the -railway track. Germans were found in Wiencourt, -and the two brigades, now reduced to two composite -battalions under Colonel Saint, attacked them with -success, but eventually occupied a line to the west. -All the guns had been saved and were in action once -more. -</p> - -<p> -On the occasion of the reforming of the line as -already described on March 28, the Fiftieth Division -had fallen back upon Caix, where it held fast to the -important bridge across the River Luce upon which -a number of troops from various units were -converging. Many of these were disorganised, and some, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P140"></a>140}</span> -to use the expression of a spectator, "stone-cold"; -but the same witness has recorded the splendid moral -effect produced by one battalion which, marching in -fours and with everything in most precise order, -came swinging down the road, with no change after -its seven days of purgatory save that two-thirds of -its personnel had disappeared. This was Colonel -Hancock's 1st Battalion of Royal Fusiliers from the -Twenty-fourth Division—an object-lesson to all who -saw it as to how discipline can outlast the most -terrific tests which a soldier can be asked to endure. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The enemy, still working down from the north, had -threatened the new defensive flank at a point between -Caix and Cayeux, but were held by a very spirited -attack made by the men of the 22nd Entrenching -Battalion. With considerable loss both to themselves -and to the Germans, they held the line of the river -until reinforcements arrived. The Thirty-ninth from -the north and the Eighth and Twenty-fourth from -the south were all converging upon the one point to -take up their new positions. A Brigadier in -command of the infantry, with 800 men and 3 batteries, -held the bridge; but the Germans might have rushed -it had it not been for a charge by the 151st Brigade, -when the 5th and 7th Durhams drove back their -advancing line. This spirited attack was led by -General Jackson in person, who encouraged his men -by blasts upon his hunting-horn. Speaking of one -of their military heroes, a French historian has said: -"Il avait la graine de folie dans sa bravoure que les -Français aiment." All soldiers love it, and it is a -wise leader who knows how to employ it. It was a -time when every possible device was needed to hold -the men, for the enemy was close upon the bridge, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P141"></a>141}</span> -and the safety of the remains of several divisions -depended upon the bridge being held. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Returning to the general survey of the line of the -Nineteenth Corps the Sixteenth Division was now -rather a crowd of warlike particles than an organised -unit. It was ordered, however, that every individual -particle should be reassembled at Hamel so that the -nucleus of a division should exist once more. Hard -marching and hard fighting had reduced the Twenty-fourth -Division to almost the same condition, though, -thanks to a miraculous survival of most of the senior -officers, the unit was still efficient. On the other -hand, the Sixty-first Division from the Eighteenth -Corps, numbering at this period 2400 men, was given -to General Watts to help to form his new line. It -was at first intended with the aid of these new troops -to endeavour to clear the left flank, and for this -purpose a counter-attack upon Lamotte was ordered. -The newly-arrived men from the south, the 183rd -and 184th Brigades, who could hardly stagger a mile, -did actually carry the twin village of Warfusee and -hold the edge of it for a time under very heavy fire—an -operation in which Major Bennett of the Oxfords -did conspicuously fine work. Several grand soldiers -fell in this attack, including Captain Willick who had -commanded the 2/4 Berkshires after the fall of the -heroic Dimmer. His last speech to his men is worth -recording. It was, "I know how you feel, boys, tired -and worn out, but we have to stop them from breaking -through." The support to this brave attack is said to -have been "one gun, firing wildly." -</p> - -<p> -The line sloped back now from Demuin in the -south to the Somme at a point opposite Sailly-le-Sec, -the Sixty-first occupying the general sector -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P142"></a>142}</span> -just south of the Lamotte-Amiens Road. From there -to the river had been a gap which it was absolutely -vital to fill. An old line of trench existed here, -extending from the river to Demuin, and early in the -battle General Gough, amid all his preoccupations, had -realised that it might be of great importance to have -it ready as a rallying place. He had therefore deputed -General Grant, his own chief of engineers, together -with Colonel Harvey, his chief of staff, to organise it -and to endeavour to man it, with any spare troops -that they could find. This had been done, and after -three days of feverish work, Grant had prepared a -line and had thrust into it a most curious assortment -of all sorts of details, made up of entrenching troops, -American sappers, the staffs of various army schools, -reinforcing units, and stragglers. On the third day -General Grant was recalled to his official duties, but -General Carey happened to be passing from the front -to take over a divisional command, and he was -deflected and placed in charge of this assembly of -military samples, which included 500 cases out of -hospital. There was a sprinkling of machine-guns -with trained instructors to use them, but the line was -thin and there was a want of cohesion in the elements -which formed it. The great thing, however, was that -the gulf was spanned between Watts in the south and -Congreve in the north. There was still a trench and -a line of British soldiers between the Germans and -the open country that led to Amiens. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -March 28 was a day of destiny along the line, for -upon that date were the first definite signs that the -assault had failed so far as its ultimate objective was -concerned, and that the Germans were not destined -to overcome the British resistance. In the north, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P143"></a>143}</span> -this was clearly indicated by the victory in front of -Arras. In the south, the situation was still obscure -and dangerous; but the mere fact that the day was -got over without a catastrophe was in itself a success, -for on March 27 the prospects were very ominous. -The line now ran from Demuin to Marcelcave, and -thence the improvised trench garrison carried it on -to the river. The First Cavalry Division, which had -come across from the north bank, formed a link -between the Sixty-first in the north of Watts' line, -and what we will now call the Carey line. The -cavalry men were still full of fight, but they had done -wonderful work since the first day of the battle, -cementing every weak seam, and they were terribly -reduced in numbers if not in spirit. Nothing can -exaggerate the debt which the infantry owed to all -three divisions of cavalry for their tireless support -during that awful week. They now tried to advance -towards Lamotte, but they came upon the right flank -of a very strong German force moving south-west -from Cherisy, and though they endeavoured to harass -it they were unable to make much impression. The -61st was also terribly worn. Upon this day the 184th -Brigade lost Colonel Belton, its fifth commander, and -was taken over by Colonel Pagan of the Gloucesters. -</p> - -<p> -The southern end of the British line had troubles -enough before, but they were now accentuated by -the fact that the Germans had made a very rapid -advance in the Montdidier sector which placed them -in the right rear of the Nineteenth Corps. On this -right flank there was much confused fighting, and a -mixture of units which reached such a point before -the morning of March 29 that the Twenty-fourth, or -what remained of it, found that it had unwittingly -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P144"></a>144}</span> -changed from the right to the left flank of the Eighth -Division. There could perhaps be no clearer -illustration of the dimensions to which the division had -shrunk. These confused movements caused loss of -touch, and there was a time when Corps Headquarters -had completely lost the right of the line, -which was badly disorganised. It was a time of great -danger. Yet another division, however, the Twentieth, -was given to Watts, and though it was already worn -to the bone, and could not reckon a thousand men in -all three brigades, it was still battleworthy and -formed an invaluable asset at such a time. They -were lined up, or perhaps dotted along would be a -fitter term, upon the front of Mezières-Demuin, and -formed a frail barrier behind which the hard-pressed -men could have a brief breathing space while they -endeavoured to reform. By the late afternoon of -March 28 this operation was in progress, and before -11 P.M. the new positions were actually occupied. -The line, which was partly wired, now ran from -Mezières, through Demuin, Marcelcave, and Hamel to -the Somme, but it would be hard to add the exact -alignment of the units, as in many places they were -inextricably mixed. The Sixty-first and the Cavalry -had been placed behind Carey's line, in order to -support it should it weaken. South of this was the -Twentieth Division, reinforced by fragments of other -divisions, which among them had the strength and -spirit to beat off a strong German attack delivered -by the force which had been engaged by the cavalry -in the morning. The country here was seamed by -the old French trenches, which were woefully out of -repair but none the less were of great value to the -defence. Carey's force was involved in this German -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P145"></a>145}</span> -attack on March 28, but with the help of the First -Cavalry Division they managed to hold their line. -Upon that date the exhausted troops received the -following well-timed message from the Fifth Army -commander: "By the grand and stubborn way you -are holding out and delaying the advance of the -enemy, the British and French reserves are being -given the necessary time to come up and assume the -offensive. Your great exertions and sacrifices are -not being thrown away: they are of immense importance, -and your resistance and your deeds in this -great battle will live for all time, and will save our -country." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 29. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -March 29 was another eventful and critical day -for the Nineteenth Corps, and began badly for them, -since the remains of the Eighth and Twenty-fourth -Divisions had, as already explained, been thrust out -of their positions and were mostly on the west side -of the Avre and out of the line. The Fiftieth Division -was only partly in position, the fighting strength of -the Sixty-sixth was reckoned at 750 bayonets, and -that of the Thirty-ninth at 500 bayonets. The -Nineteenth Corps at this moment was nominally -composed of eight infantry divisions—Eighth, Twentieth, -Twenty-fourth, Sixteenth, Thirty-ninth, Fiftieth, -Sixty-first, and Sixty-sixth; but it is questionable -whether their united strength greatly exceeded that -of a single full division, to such a point had the army -been reduced. On the other hand, there was no -direct evidence of excessive wastage upon the part -of the Germans, who could be seen in large -well-organised bodies moving in front of the British lines. -The one consolation lay in the fact that their heavy -guns, and even a good many of their field-guns, had been -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P146"></a>146}</span> -left behind. The machine-guns, however, and their -newly-developed light field artillery were as energetic -as ever. The British artillery had been weakened -by capture and destruction, but it was greatly -supplemented by several armoured-car batteries, -Canadian and British, which did splendid service -during these all-important days. -</p> - -<p> -About mid-day on March 29 the French, and -the remains of the Thirtieth Division under the -French Higher Command, had abandoned Mezières -upon the right flank of the Nineteenth Corps, and -by so doing they exposed the right of the steadfast -Twentieth Division. The fighting extended from the -River Avre to Demuin. The 59th Brigade, which -was in the south of the line, was forced to fall back, -but two battalions of the 60th Brigade were thrown -out to cover the flank and hold the German advance -from getting behind the British line. At 2 o'clock -these two brigades gathered their thin ranks together -for a counter-attack, aided by the Fiftieth Division, -which had now been telescoped into a single weak -brigade. It was a remarkable attack, for most of -the men were stumbling with utter fatigue, and could -hardly totter forward with their rifles at the port. -It was the Riflemen and Shropshires who made the -advance upon Mezières while their comrades stormed -the surrounding woods. The 5th Durhams, 6th -Northumberland Fusiliers, and 22nd Entrenching -Battalion of the Fiftieth Division also did great -things. There is evidence from the prisoners that -the Germans at that particular point had lost very -heavily and were much distressed, so that the combat -was like those closing rounds of a hard-fought boxing -contest, where the two exhausted combatants can -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P147"></a>147}</span> -but push and paw as they lurch against each other. -The village was actually carried by the British, and -a temporary easement secured, together with a handful -of the 352nd Regiment, who stated that they had -lost three entire companies in their first advance -upon Mezières. This spirited counter-attack was -covered by the guns of the Fiftieth Division which, -under Major Johnson, had worked very hard during -those last trying days. -</p> - -<p> -About 2 o'clock on March 29 Watts' Corps was -reinforced by another skeleton division, the -Eighteenth—2000 bayonets, in all. It was merged with the -Sixty-first and placed in the Berteaucourt-Bois de -Blangy line. The thin ranks of the Twenty-fourth -were still able to muster at the south end of the -position, but only one brigade of the Eighth Division, -the Twenty-fifth, was in a condition for service. This -unit moved to the edge of Moreuil Wood, and -co-operated with the French One hundred and -thirty-third Division which was holding the line at that -point. From this time onwards the Moreuil-Ailly-sur-Noye -Road and everything south of it was -French. As the British force dwindled its front -also contracted, otherwise the situation would have -indeed been impossible. -</p> - -<p> -As it was, it continued to be desperately critical, -for beyond the telescoping of units and the -contraction of front there was no help for the British -line, while the assailants were still very numerous -and aggressive. About noon on this day, March 29, -the Thirty-ninth Division, and indeed the whole army, -sustained a severe loss in the person of General -Feetham, a leader of great valour and experience, -who was killed by a shell while walking with Colonel -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P148"></a>148}</span> -Gosset, his chief of staff, in the village of Demuin. -His death was to some extent revenged at once by -his devoted troops, for a German attack which -followed at once down the valley of the Luce was -driven back with heavy loss by the rifles of the -infantry. General Feetham was replaced next day -by General Blacklock. It is a remarkable fact that -Feetham was the second commander of the Thirty-ninth -Division killed within a fortnight, for General -Cape, his <i>locum tenens</i>, fell upon the 13th of March. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 30. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of March 30 the 61st Brigade -of the Twentieth Division was on the south end -of the line covering the bridge over the Luce at -Hangard, while the 59th covered that at Dornart, -the 60th lining up from Dornart to Berteaucourt. -The Fiftieth Division had been now incorporated -in the Twentieth. All the bridges had -been prepared for demolition. The enemy were -slowly pushing the French out of the Moreuil -Wood upon the extreme right, small bodies of infantry -gradually infiltrating the whole position. The -Germans soon developed activity also in the Luce -valley, and finally along the whole corps front. The -Second Cavalry Division was sent into Moreuil Wood -to help the French, but the whole right of the line -began gradually to crumble in face of the repeated -assaults. The remains of the Sixty-sixth and -Twentieth Divisions were bent back, though the -latter continued for a long time to hold the -Demuin-Marcelcave line of road, but about 8 A.M. the -Sixty-sixth Division was pushed out of Aubercourt. There -was some weakness farther north also, between -Villers and Marcelcave, but the never-failing First -Cavalry Division stiffened the yielding line. At 10 -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P149"></a>149}</span> -o'clock the situation had improved in Moreuil -Wood, where Seely's Canadian cavalry, with the 3rd -Cavalry Brigade in support, were making their -presence felt. They held the line along the edge of -the wood from east of Moreuil, but had lost touch -with the Twentieth upon their left. Later in the -morning there was a strong German counter in this -quarter which drove the cavalry back into the wood. -Here at a later hour they were reinforced by the -Eighth Division, if such a sonorous name can be -given to a handful of dazed and exhausted men. -The line at mid-day ran roughly as follows: -</p> - -<p> - Moreuil Wood. Demuin. W. of Aubercourt. W. of Marcelcave.<br /> - 2nd Cav. 20th. 66th. Carey. 61st. 1st Cav.<br /> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -The great bulk of the British force lay to the north -of the Luce River, and the Germans were making -every effort to push the flank backwards or aside and -to ford the stream. A wood named Little Wood lay -in such a position as to help or hinder, such an attempt, -and it was the scene of some fierce fighting. It was -first occupied by one of the enemy's advanced parties. -It was then retaken by some of the West Yorkshires -of the 60th Brigade. These in turn were pushed out -by the enemy. Finally, in the evening the 12th -Rifles and 12th Rifle Brigade, with some French and -scattered units of the Fiftieth Division, charged -forward through the twilight, recaptured the wood, and -re-established the whole line in this quarter. Nine -machine-guns and fifty-three prisoners were taken. -Well might General Watts telegraph: "Well done, -the Twentieth! Such a counter-attack after all your -hard work is splendid." -</p> - -<p> -Now at last there were signs of some relaxation -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P150"></a>150}</span> -in the dreadful strain. On this, the ninth day of the -battle, the first British reserves, save only the Eighth -Division, began to appear in the line. They were -the 9th Australian Brigade, who came into the fight -between Demuin and Aubercourt with their usual -brisk gallantry. Their attack made some progress, -and the 12th Lancers who advanced with them shared -something of the glory. Although the final objectives -were not attained, the line north of the Luce was -stayed by their presence and made firm for the -morrow. On this evening several of those heroic -units which had fought themselves to the last point -of human endurance from the beginning of the battle -were taken from that stage where they had played -so glorious and tragic a part. The remains of the -Thirty-ninth, the Fiftieth, the Sixteenth, and the -Sixty-sixth were all drawn back for re-organisation. -It was theirs to take part in what was a defeat and -a retreat, but their losses are the measure of their -endurance, and the ultimate verdict of history upon -their performance lies in the one single undeniable -fact that the Germans could never get past them. -Speaking of these troops an observer remarked: -"They had been fighting for nine days, but were -very cheerful and still full of vigour." The losses of -some units and the exertions of the individuals who -composed them can seldom have been matched in -warfare. The 2/6th Lancashire Fusiliers, for example, -had fought in the rearguard of the Sixty-sixth Division -for the whole retreat under Captain Porter, the only -officer left standing. They were now reduced to -about a hundred men. Many battalions were in no -better condition. Carey's nondescript force was also -broken up on the evening of March 30. They had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P151"></a>151}</span> -served a most useful purpose at a critical moment -of the battle, and their formation may have prevented -a disaster, but it should be emphasised that -their existence was not some impromptu effort, but -had been pre-arranged by the wise foresight of -General Gough. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. March 31. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On March 31 there were signs that the German -flood was reaching full tide. They had acted to a -wonderful degree up to their own saying: "Immer -fest daran!" but they had now far outstripped their -artillery support and the tenacious elastic British -defence had worn them down. There was no attack -on the morning of this day, but about noon the -fighting broke out once more in the Moreuil Woods, -the enemy pushing their way through them and -slowly driving back the line of the Eighth and the -Twentieth, while the French were again driven out -of the village of Moreuil. North of Marcelcave there -was a day of quiet and re-organisation. The Sixty-first -was still holding the Berteaucourt-Gentilles line, -while the Eighteenth was holding the line of the -Luce. In the evening the Eighth and Twentieth -were again reinforced by the cavalry, and by the -superior and heroic exertions of every one concerned -the position on the right flank was maintained. The -2nd Berkshires distinguished themselves in this -fighting. There is something more than a name even -in this stage of the war in the old Regular battalions, -for the chronicler finds that they stand out amidst -the other units out of all proportion to their numbers. -The 2nd Bedfords, 1st Royal Fusiliers, 2nd Scots -Fusiliers, and many others upheld the honour of the -grand old force. -</p> - -<p> -The right wing had been considerably hustled in -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P152"></a>152}</span> -the Moreuil quarter on March 31, but on April 1 the -Second Cavalry Division, which included the Canadian -Brigade, made a sudden fierce counter-attack -which threw the enemy back. Fifty prisoners and -thirteen machine-guns were the fruits of this action. -The British guns had played upon the wood during -the whole night, and the enemy had suffered severely, -for the assailants found the brushwood to be full of -dead Germans. There was no other movement of -importance on this day. The reformed Fourteenth -Division was brought back into the battle and took -the place of the Twentieth, the Fiftieth, and of the -cavalry upon the front to the south of the Luce. -Speaking of the latter troops after their nine days -of martyrdom, a senior officer who saw them at this -stage said: "In the last attack they were driven -back about a mile towards Amiens, but after the -first Bosch onrush they stood like rocks, repelling -attack after attack, counter-attacking and -regaining ground in such a manner that every day I -marvelled at the doing of it, and at the men who -did it." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. April 4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -April 2 and 3 were quiet days, but on the 4th -there was a very violent and general attack along the -line of the Nineteenth Corps, and of the Thirty-sixth -French Corps (General Nollet) which lay to the -immediate south. The main weight of the battle fell -upon the Fourteenth Division in their new positions, -and by nine o'clock in the morning the Germans had -gained some success to the north of the main Amiens -Road. The Australian 9th Brigade, which was south -of the road, held their line, but had to fall back 500 -yards in order to conform with the general position. -At 11.30 the enemy was still making progress, mostly -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P153"></a>153}</span> -on the front of the Fourteenth Division, and had -reached the east edge of Hamel and of Bois de Vaire. -The Third Cavalry Division, those indomitable troops, -were thrown in to thicken the line of the Fourteenth, -and the Canadian motor guns from Villers-Bretonneux -were also brought into the battle. Later two battalions -of the invaluable Australian infantry came up at -the double from the 15th Australian Brigade. If ever -the arrival of strong loyal men in a time of darkness -brought joy and comfort with it, it was when the -Australians relieved the British line in these later -days of the second battle of the Somme. "God -bless them!" was the silent prayer that went down -the weary line. Ground had been lost south of -Villers-Bretonneux, and the line was bent, but the -whole of the Third and Fifth Australian Divisions -were streaming down to their places in the defence. -The end of the retreat was at hand. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Nineteenth Corps. April. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Upon the evening of April 4, the line which was -to be permanent for many months to come began -to define itself, and order gradually evolved out of -ever-shifting chaos. Lee's Eighteenth Division was -now in touch with the Thirty-sixth French Corps at -Hangard. Then at the Bois l'Abbé lay the 9th -Australian Brigade. North of this, at the Bois de -Gentilles, was the Third Cavalry Division. Thence -in succession came the 15th Australian Brigade, the -43rd Brigade, the remains of the Twenty-fourth -Division, the 8th Australian Brigade, the other -elements of the Fourteenth Division, the Fifth -Australian Division near Aubigny, and the -Fifty-eighth Division in the north. This summary will -show how Australia had braced the line. Upon -the next day, April 5, Butler's Third Corps took over -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P154"></a>154}</span> -the whole area of the Nineteenth Corps, and the -episode was at an end. -</p> - -<p> -The retreat of General Watts across the ravaged -country, his attempt to hold the long front of the -Somme, his successive short retreats, his continual -stands, and his eventual success, will always remain -one of the most remarkable incidents in the war. -This officer, who at the beginning of hostilities was -a "dug-out," hardly rescued from a premature ending -of his military career, showed in the highest degree -those qualities of never despairing, and of rapidly -adapting means to an end, which mark the competent -soldier. He began with two units under his -control, and he ended with fifteen, but no general -ever had to handle more weary troops, or had more -need of a clear head and a high heart. The strain -upon him had been extraordinary—though indeed -that is true of every corps and divisional commander -in the line. As to the special features of this -operation, it may be said to be remarkable for the -improvisations of troops, for the continual use of -entrenching battalions as combatants, for the work -of the dismounted cavalry, for the self-sacrifice and -energy of the motor batteries, and very specially for -the degree of mobility attained by the heavy artillery -and the rapidity with which it came into action in -successive positions. Military critics will draw many -deeper lessons from these operations, but these at -least are sufficiently obvious to catch the eye of the -least experienced student. -</p> - -<p> -The total losses of the Nineteenth Corps during -this fourteen days of battle came to from 35,000 to -40,000, killed, wounded, and missing. The losses in -guns were 41 heavy pieces and 73 field-guns, twelve -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P155"></a>155}</span> -of which were anti-tank guns in the forward line. The -pressure sustained by some of the divisions would -be incredible if the facts were not fully authenticated. -Thus the Eighth English Division was attacked from -first to last by eighteen different German divisions, -including three of the Guards. Prisoners were taken -from each so that their identity could not be disputed. -Yet this same Eighth Division was engaged within -three weeks in the victorious advance at -Villers-Bretonneux. The German oracle Clausewitz has -said that a retreating army should go back not like -a hunted deer but like a wounded lion. His -commentators would hardly find a better example than -the British armies in the second battle of the Somme. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P156"></a>156}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VI -<br /><br /> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -The Retreat of the Eighteenth Corps, March 21-29. -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Retreat of the Sixty-first Division—The Gloucesters at -Beauvais—Fall of Ham—Retreat of the Thirtieth -and Thirty-sixth Divisions—Great -privations of the men—Fine feat at Le Quesnoy—Summary -of the experience of Maxse's Corps. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Eighteenth Corps. March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It has been shown that Maxse's Eighteenth Corps, -covering the St. Quentin front, maintained its whole -position on March 21, thanks to the splendid -conduct of the three battalions in the forward line, -and to the stout resistance in the zone of battle. -It has also been told how the Sixty-first Division, -the most northern unit, withdrew on the afternoon -of March 22, very attenuated but still full of fight, -to a prepared position between Vaux and Villévêque. -At 4 P.M. that day the three brigades, or what -was left of them, were in line 1500 yards east of -Beauvais, the 184th being in the centre, with the -182nd on its right, and the 183rd on its left. As -they faced their pursuers they could plainly see the -Germans pouring in successive waves from Atilly. -The central brigade was commanded by General the -Hon. Robert White, one of two gallant brothers who -sowed their military wild oats in the Jameson Raid, -and this unit, reduced now to a mere handful of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P157"></a>157}</span> -Gloucesters, Berkshires, and Oxfords, was exposed to -a scourging fire of shrapnel, which further thinned -their ranks, their General being one of the casualties. -No field ambulances were available at the moment, -and as General White was led away badly wounded -he saw the German cavalry breaking into the south -side of Beauvais, while a large artillery dump west -of the village was exploded by the enemy fire. The -whole situation was chaotic, but the British infantry -still hung together, retreating slowly and turning -continually upon their pursuers. Some twenty -German aeroplanes were quartering the district like -so many fierce hawks, and diving with great daring -from time to time into the very streets of the village, -while the British falling back into cover fired up at -them with their rifles and light machine-guns. Two -of them came crashing down upon the roofs of the -houses. It was rumoured that the enemy had already -got close to Ham upon the right rear of the division, -and they were round the left flank in the region of -Holnon Wood. There was little artillery support -available, for sixty per cent of the forward guns had -been taken or destroyed in Holnon Wood, and the -remaining batteries were getting away with their -reduced teams, so that the retreat of the infantry -was correspondingly slow in order to cover the -withdrawal. In the north the Scotsmen of the 183rd -Brigade were moving back near Villescholles in touch -with the 72nd Brigade of the Twenty-fourth Division, -both of them being much helped in their retirement -by the 11th Hussars. All along the line the Germans -were pressing very closely, but the Sixty-first kept -wonderfully steady, though at Beauvais, where -Colonel Wetherall had taken over the command when -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P158"></a>158}</span> -General White was wounded, the two parties were -continually intermingled, so ardent was the pursuit -and so leisurely the retreat. So mixed were the -combatants that Major Howitt, brigade-major of the -184th, was dragged out from among his men, and -was in the hands of the Germans for some exciting -and instructive hours. "I must say the officers -treated me well, though the escorts were very rough," -says he. "For all my hatred I could not help -admiring them intensely, for their deployment, -discipline, and preparation were an eye-opener. They -extended into battle order with hardly a sound and -lay down preparatory for the next assault, bringing -up mules dragging light trench-mortars, machine-guns, -and ammunition." Major Howitt finally broke -away from his escort, and by keeping so near to a -burning ammunition dump that no one dared to -follow him, he succeeded in regaining his own lines. -</p> - -<p> -The defence of the line in front of Beauvais was -kept up with remarkable tenacity and ended by 150 -men of the 2/5th Gloucester battalion performing -what was an extraordinary feat, even in this war of -miracles, for they held on to a line 2000 yards in -length until 3.30 in the morning of March 23, holding -up the whole German advance. All night the enemy -tried to rush or to bomb this thin line of determined -men, but it was not until the cartridges ran low that -the British made their retreat, sneaking round the -outskirts of the village which blazed behind them, -and making their way to Longuevoisin where they -joined their comrades, who had already given them -up as lost, for they had been five miles behind -the army. Colonel Lawson was in command during -this heroic episode, and was ably supported by his -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P159"></a>159}</span> -two lieutenants, Rickerby and Dudbridge. Of the -latter, it is recorded that in a later stage of the retreat -he was in such a condition of absolute exhaustion -that he was wounded three times in the course of a -single day without ever observing it until evening. -Utter nerve fatigue has its compensations as well as -its terrors. -</p> - -<p> -The Thirtieth Division had held on to its ground -until four in the afternoon of March 22. Some units -lingered to cover the retreat, the 2nd Yorkshires and -the 17th Manchesters holding on to their redoubts -until six o'clock, when they were in danger of -isolation. -</p> - -<p> -During their withdrawal both the Sixty-first -Division and the Thirtieth Division to the south of it -were covered by the 59th and 60th Brigades of the -Twentieth Division. These two fine brigades, still -intact and full of fight, allowed the weary soldiers -to pass through their ranks, while they opposed a -tenacious resistance to the pursuing Germans. When -the Sixty-first and Thirtieth were across the canal -of the Somme the covering division fell back in -orderly fashion, and itself crossed the canal between -Canizy and Bethencourt, the 60th Brigade being -on the right and the 59th on the left. The 60th -Brigade was compelled to fight hard to make good its -retirement, and it struck back again and again at the -German vanguard. In this fighting the 12th Rifle -Brigade particularly distinguished itself, but its losses -were heavy, and included its gallant Colonel, -Maclachlan. -</p> - -<p> -Early in the morning of March 23 it was known -that the enemy had crossed the line of the Somme at -Ham. The Thirtieth Division had retreated upon -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P160"></a>160}</span> -this important little town, which had been thrown into -a state of defence by General Stanley of the 89th -Brigade, but his garrison was so utterly inadequate -to cover the ground that his dispositions were useless, -as the Germans could get round him on either side. -He had with him in the first instance two entrenching -battalions, the 21st and 23rd, two companies of gas -engineers, the corps cyclists, and a mere handful -of infantry. Late on March 22 he was joined, -however, by his own three attenuated battalions of the -King's, each of which had been heavily engaged in -different parts of the battle. At the same time the -90th Brigade dropped back to the left of Ham -and the 21st to the right. The division was bare -on both flanks, however, and it was determined -to continue the retreat. The bridges were blown -up and such rolling stock as was possible was -destroyed, but there were very many stores in -the town which had to be abandoned to the enemy. -It was a very great disaster, for it supplied him with -much, and indeed served him as an advanced base, -all ready-made for his operations in this part of the -field. As to the loss of the river line, it has already -been explained that in these higher reaches it is a -very slight barrier. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -When the enemy had taken Ham he pushed along -swiftly towards Esmery-Hallon on the heels of the -retiring Thirtieth Division. The Thirty-sixth -Division, which had been assisted in its retreat by the -61st Brigade of the Twentieth, had crossed the -Somme to the east of Ham, and was now to the right -of the Thirtieth (right and left being used all through -these operations on the supposition that the unit is -turning and facing the enemy). The Thirty-sixth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P161"></a>161}</span> -Division crossed the Somme Canal at St. Simon, -closely pressed by the enemy, and the 121st Field -Company Royal Engineers and other sapper units -performed great work under heavy fire, destroying -no less than twenty-seven bridges. After the passing -of the river by the Germans there were constant -rearguard actions, one of the most spirited of which was -at Villeselve, where the 9th Irish Fusiliers and the -Royal Dragoons fought together and drove in the -German vanguard. The general situation of Maxse's -Corps upon the forenoon of March 23 was that the -Thirty-sixth Division was over the Somme and near -Golancourt and Bronchy, that the Thirtieth Division -was dropping back upon Esmery-Hallon, and that -the Sixty-first Division, retreating in the direction -of Nesle had crossed the Somme at Voyennes and -Offoy, continuing its retreat to the Nesle Canal. -Between the Thirtieth and Sixty-first Divisions were -the 60th Brigade on the right and the 59th on the -left, who were also covering the Nesle Canal, but -were quite ready to counter-attack should an opening -present itself. -</p> - -<p> -A British corps does not allow itself to be driven -without hitting back, however great the odds may -seem. A series of brisk skirmishes was going on all -along the line. In one of these, just south of Ham, -Colonel Watson with the 17th King's Liverpools came -back on his pursuers and held them up for a time. -More serious was the counter-attack organised by -the main body north of Esmery-Hallon. This attack -struck southwards from Canizy and hit upon the right -flank of the Germans, staggering them for the instant. -It was carried out by the 60th Brigade and the -182nd Brigade, all under General Duncan of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P162"></a>162}</span> -former unit. This spirited advance was led upon -the field by Colonel Bilton of the Sixty-first Division, -and was delivered with such force that this small -British detachment drove back for some distance the -great army which was rolling westwards. It was -impossible, of course, to recover ground permanently, -but it gained invaluable time and eased the pressure -upon the south end of the line for the whole of a -critical evening. It was clear, however, that the -capture of Ham and the crossing of the stream had -turned the flank of the Twentieth and Sixty-first -Divisions, who were defending the higher reaches of -the same river. They were not to be frightened -prematurely out of their positions, however, and at -Bethencourt the 11th Rifle Brigade drove back a -German attempt at crossing, while at Offoy the 12th -Rifles also inflicted a sharp repulse upon the pursuers. -That evening, March 23, the Sixty-first Division was -practically amalgamated with the Twentieth, and -both were concentrated near Nesle. They received -at this time a most useful reinforcement in the shape -of two batteries (16 guns) of Canadian motor machine-guns -under Captain Meerling. There is not an officer -or man of these much-tried battalions who would not -admit a deep debt of gratitude to these splendidly -efficient and energetic guns, which had such mobility -that they were always where they were most wanted. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The troops had on the morning of March 24 -got behind the Somme Canal, which runs beside the -river, all bridges had been broken, and patrols were -pushed across where practicable so as to keep in -touch with the enemy. It was not in this southern -area, however, but at Bethencourt that the Germans -did actually get across in force, by which they turned -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P163"></a>163}</span> -the flank of the 25th Brigade of the Eighth Division -in the north and of the 59th Brigade in the south. -An attack was instantly organised by the 11th Rifle -Brigade, who had lost their Colonel, Cotton, the day -before, and were now led by Major Bertie. They -succeeded by a fine effort in driving the Germans -for the time across the canal and gaining touch -with the Eighth Division. The Germans pushed -across once more at Pargny, upon the other flank of -the Eighth Division, and also renewed their attempt -in greater force at Bethencourt, getting possession -of the higher ground there. This time it was the -Highlanders and Royal Scots of the 183rd Brigade -who counter-attacked, acting as part of the Twentieth -Division, and by half-past two in the afternoon the -position had once more been re-established. The -Canadian motor-guns were invaluable in this operation. -</p> - -<p> -Upon the morning of March 24 the Sixty-first -Division was barring the road from Ham to Nesle. The -German progress had been checked in this direction by -a spirited counter-attack carried out by the 5th -Cornwalls, the pioneer battalion of that division, together -with a mixed array of police, bandsmen, and other -details, who advanced from Offoy to a depth of five -miles, under Major Bennett. This little improvised -force held on all night, and seems eventually to have -joined up with the French in the neighbourhood of -Esmery-Hallon. -</p> - -<p> -The British were still holding the crossings at -Voyennes and Offoy, but very hard fighting had -broken out to the south, and the Germans, who had -poured over in the neighbourhood of Ham, were now -thrusting hard for Canizy. The road bridges had -all been destroyed, but there was a railway bridge -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P164"></a>164}</span> -at Ham which had been taken out of the hands of -the army authorities and left in charge of the railway -department. This was either uninjured or at any -rate inadequately destroyed, and was of immediate -use to the enemy, enabling him to keep uninterrupted -pressure upon the retiring troops. Canizy was now -taken, but the 12th Rifles made an immediate counter-attack -and forced the Germans back from the village. -In this spirited operation they lost their gallant -Colonel, Moore, who had led them with the utmost -fearlessness. -</p> - -<p> -Whilst the Germans were pushing forward at -Canizy they had also maintained strong and -continuous pressure upon the Thirtieth Division near -Moyencourt, and upon the Thirty-sixth Division at -Golancourt, causing the Ulster men, whose left wing -was entirely in the air, to fall back westwards. The -next line of defence, after the Somme had been forced, -lies along what is called the Libermont Canal between -Nesle and Libermont. It was necessary to fall back, -fighting as best they could, and to place this obstacle, -narrow as it was, between the weary soldiers and -their pursuers. It was the third day since the men -had had a decent meal or an uninterrupted rest, and -they were very disorganised and broken. "Hundreds -of men were streaming back," says one observer. -"They had been without food for days and were -done in completely. They were stopped and -reformed at the bridges, where as many as 2000 were -collected." It is such plain sobering sentences which -help one to realise that war is not, as large scale -descriptions might seem to imply, a question of the -moving of pieces upon a board, but that underneath -the strategy lie the countless human tragedies, the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P165"></a>165}</span> -tortured frames, the broken nerves, the prayers of -brave men that they may still be brave, the torturing -anxiety of officers, the ever-pressing burden which -sometimes breaks the weary back which tries to -hold it. Strategy reckons nothing of these things, -but their accumulation makes up the terrible human -tragedy of war, which brings humility to the most -proud and fear to the most valiant. All equally feel -the weakness of nature, but he is blessed who has the -strength of spirit to cover and to combat it. -</p> - -<p> -By mid-day on March 24 the Thirtieth Division -was over the Libermont Canal, holding from Buverchy -to Libermont, with the village and bridge of -Raincourt as a joining point between the 90th Brigade -to the north and the 89th to the south. It may be -recorded, to descend suddenly from divisions to -individuals, that the first sign of the new German -advance was a single scout who appeared in the -open in front of the canal, and was engaged in a -prolonged and deliberate rifle duel by Lieutenant -Harrop, with the result that he was finally brought in -as a wounded prisoner. The Twentieth Division had -also fallen back, the orders of brigades from the south -being the 60th with its flank on Buverchy, the 59th -resting on Quiquery, and the 183rd to link up with -the Eighth Division near Mesnil St. Nicaise. The -Thirty-sixth Division prolonged the line to the south -of Libermont. The French reinforcements from the -south were beginning by the afternoon of this day -to get as far north as this section, and if not very -weighty at the moment they were of great moral use -as a promise for the future. -</p> - -<p> -From the new positions of the British line the -German infantry could now be seen advancing in -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P166"></a>166}</span> -platoon columns in three lines on each side of the -Voyenne Road and heading for the Libermont Canal. -Several parties of horsemen could be seen also, who -were conjectured to be battery staffs, keeping up -with the fight. The weak point was still near -Bethencourt, between the Twentieth and the Eighth -Divisions, where the gap tended to be wider as the enemy -got more troops across and endeavoured to push the -25th Brigade north as has been described in dealing -with the experiences of the Nineteenth Corps. They -were reported before evening as having got as far as -Morchain. The flank brigade of the Eighteenth -Corps, the 183rd, was ordered to extend as far to -the north-west as Potte in the hope of regaining -touch, but though they reached that village they -were still unable to bridge the gap. During the night -there were heavy attacks upon Mesnil St. Nicaise in -this region, which fell chiefly upon the Rifle battalions -of the 59th Brigade, which had been reinforced by -the 20th Entrenching Battalion and the 11th Durhams, -the divisional pioneer battalion. The general result -was to force the British line some little distance to -the westward. At Buverchy in the evening the -German infantry also advanced in great numbers, -but came under the very efficient guns of the -Thirtieth Division, and lost very heavily. The -enemy artillery was also very active so that both the -Thirtieth near Buverchy and the Thirty-sixth farther -south had many casualties. The French relief was -making itself more felt, however, in this southern -section, where they were already outnumbering the -British. The latter were greatly worn—so much so -that the 21st Brigade of the Thirtieth Division could -hardly be said to exist, only about 100 of the Yorkshires -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P167"></a>167}</span> -being left in the line. By evening the centre -of the position was near Moyencourt, some little -distance to the west. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In spite of the French reinforcements, which were -not accompanied with artillery, the attack was still -markedly stronger than the defence, so that March 25 -was a most dangerous and critical day in this quarter -of the field. To trace the developments from the -north the enemy continued to press through the gap -between the two corps, the Nineteenth and the -Eighteenth, making a series of heavy attacks towards -Mesnil-le-Petit and Nesle from the direction of Potte. -This movement, powerfully followed up, pushed back -the left flank from Quiquery to a point on the high -ground 1000 yards west of Nesle. The 183rd Brigade, -which was now a mere handful of Scottish infantry, -superb in quality but reduced to the last stage of -exhaustion, together with the thin ranks of the 59th -Brigade of Rifles, could not, even with the aid of the -Canadian motor-guns, hold the heavy masses who -pressed down upon them. The French One hundred -and thirty-third Division moving up in support had -dug a line between Billancourt and Herly, but Nesle -was abandoned to the enemy, the Twenty-second -French Division retiring from this sector and falling -back towards Roye. The 60th Brigade of the -Twentieth Division, much helped by the 23rd -Entrenching Battalion—these valiant diggers made their -presence felt all along the line—still held stoutly to -their positions from Quiquery to Buverchy, but their -left and left rear were so compromised that it was -clear they could not hold out longer. To the south -the French, who had relieved the Thirty-sixth Division -at Libermont, had been pushed back, and the British -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P168"></a>168}</span> -position was turned in their direction also. By the -afternoon the French had taken over the line as far -north as Buverchy, and the Thirtieth Division was -ordered to fall back, but the Germans had advanced -so rapidly from Libermont and got so far to their -right rear that it was no easy matter either for the -British or the French to get past them. Many had -to swim the canals which striate this part of the -country, and the 2nd Bedfords were especially -hard-pressed before they were able to get away. The -Twenty-second French Division was doing all it could -to cover the approaches to Nesle upon the south, and -the 184th Brigade cheered them loudly as they passed -through their ranks. "They looked very fine men -and seemed very much for it." General Wetherall -of this brigade was badly wounded by a shell splinter -in this period of the battle. And we have a vivid -pen-picture drawn by a spectator of Brigade-Major -Hewitt, some of whose adventures have already been -recorded, holding Wetherall's wounded artery with -one hand, while he wrote brigade orders with the other, -for more than two hours on end. The 184th lost five -commanders during the retreat. -</p> - -<p> -Even if the local pressure had not caused a rapid -withdrawal at this portion of the line, it would have -been enforced by the general strategic position, for -the German advance in the south had been so masterful -that on this night of March 25 Roye was taken, -which is far to the south-west of Nesle. The 61st -Brigade had been sharing the hard fortunes of the -Thirty-sixth Division, but now, as the latter had been -drawn out, it was restored to the Twentieth Division. -So severe had been the strain upon it that it only -numbered about 500 bayonets, and some battalions, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P169"></a>169}</span> -such as the 2/6th Royal Warwicks, had not a single -combatant officer left standing. None the less, it -was at once sent to man a supporting line stretching -through Gruny, Cremery, and Liancourt, and had -hardly reached it before the Germans were also at -Liancourt. The brigade held them, however, and so -enabled the front line to fall back upon an organised -position whence, on the next morning, a swift retreat -became necessary. -</p> - -<p> -After dark on March 25 the One hundred and -thirty-third French Division had come up to relieve -the Twentieth and Sixty-first, but the situation was -such along the line of the Nesle Canal that no fixed -line could be formed, and the three divisions were -finally greatly mixed up in the darkness and there -was a good deal of confusion in their councils, since -the general directions of the French were to fall back -to the south, while the line of retreat of the British -lay rather to the west. There was little time for -deliberation, for word had come in that the Germans -were closing in upon Liancourt, pressing south and -west, in a way which threatened to cut off the whole -forward line. At midnight, the British, many of -them hardly able to move for fatigue, staggered off -in such formations as they could assemble, with -orders to concentrate north and east of Roye. Thanks -largely to the presence of the remnants of the 61st -Brigade near Liancourt, this most hazardous march -was successfully accomplished, but as Roye was -within the grasp of the enemy the movement was -continued so as to reach a line between Hangest and -Le Quesnel. The Germans were close upon them in -the north, so the 61st Brigade, now down to 400 men, -acted as flankguard, fending off their constant attacks. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P170"></a>170}</span> -The war has shown few finer instances of disciplined -and tenacious valour than in the case of the three -handfuls of men who represented what had once been -the 12th King's, 7th Somersets, and 7th Cornwalls. -The enemy were in Liancourt, and their patrols were -in actual hand-to-hand fighting with a French -detachment aided by some of the Somersets. Other German -troops pouring down from the north and using to the -utmost the gap which had opened between the corps, -endeavoured to cut in and to seize Le Quesnoy (not -to be confused with Le Quesnel towards which the -troops were marching). It was, however, upon their -line of retreat, and about halfway to their destination, -so that a German occupation would have been serious. -The post was most desperately defended by Captain -Combe, the brigade-major of the 61st Brigade, with -two Lewis guns and 100 men. Only eleven were left -standing at the end of this defence, but the village -was held for the necessary time, and the survivors -only withdrew upon receipt of a positive order. -Thus the flank march of the British from Roye to -Le Quesnel upon the morning of March 26 was -successfully accomplished, owing to the devotion of -their covering party to the north. "It was very -much of a rabble," says an officer, "and there was -great difficulty in sorting out the men and arranging -the units." None the less the future was to show -that the force was no more beaten than were the -old contemptibles after Mons. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Thirtieth Division had been drawn out of the -line on the arrival of the French, but they were -hardly started on their movement towards the rest -which they had earned so well, when this great -pressure arose, and every man who could still carry a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P171"></a>171}</span> -rifle was needed once more in the line. On the -morning of March 26 they were back then, between -Bouchoir and Rouvroy. The 21st Brigade had now -entirely disappeared, but the remains of the 2nd -Yorks and the South Lancashire Pioneer Battalion -were added to the 89th Brigade which was in the -north at Rouvroy, while the 90th, under General -Poyntz, filled the gap to Bouchoir. The Thirtieth -Division had got considerably to the west of this line -before they were recalled, and it was only by some -splendid marching that they were able at last to -throw themselves down upon the coveted ground -before the German armies, which were streaming along -the Roye-Amiens road, were able to reach it. As -they faced the Germans the Twenty-fourth, now the -mere shadow of a division, was on their left at -Warvillers, while the Sixty-first and Twentieth were in -support at Beaufort and Le Quesnel. Near Erches -the Thirty-sixth Ulster men, whose relief, like that of -the Thirtieth, had proved to be impossible, were still -battling bravely, retaking the village of Erches after -it had fallen to the enemy. The 109th Brigade also -distinguished itself greatly in this area, the Irish -Fusiliers Battalions of which it is composed holding -on most desperately to the village of Guerbigny, at -the extreme south of the corps front, and continuing -a heroic defence during March 26, and long after it -was isolated upon March 27. The artillery of the -Ulster Division was particularly good in its covering -fire during these operations, gaining the very grateful -acknowledgments of the French troops and generals -who were more and more concerned with this southern -sector of the line. Speaking generally the troops -had now reached the region of the old French trenches, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P172"></a>172}</span> -which grid-ironed a considerable area of country, so -that it was certain that if men could be found to man -them, the pursuit would no longer continue at the -pace of the last two days. -</p> - -<p> -Great work was done at this period by four of -the Canadian motor-guns at the cross-roads, north-west -of Rouvroy, where they not only inflicted heavy -losses upon the enemy but delayed his advance -while the exhausted troops were settling down into -this new position. Every hour was of importance -as giving reinforcements time to come up from the -rear, and the general orders to the divisional generals -were to hold on at all costs wherever defence was -possible. A small body of corps cyclists under -Lieutenant Quartermain co-operated splendidly with -the motor-guns and did good service at this critical -period of the retreat, during which there was very -little artillery support behind the thin line of infantry. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 27. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The German pressure on March 27 fell chiefly, -as already shown, upon the Twenty-fourth Division -and the other units on the extreme south of the -Nineteenth Corps, which were forced back for some -distance, and so threatened the stability of the line -in the south. The 17th King's Liverpool, which was -the flank battalion, held fast, however, and flung back -their left to form a defensive line to the north. A -small body of German cavalry performed a brilliant -piece of audacious work in the darkness of the early -morning of this date, pushing through the outposts -of the Thirty-sixth Division in the south near -Guerbigny, and capturing the Brigade Headquarters -of the 109th Brigade, and also the chief staff officer -of the division. -</p> - -<p> -The future was full of menace, for the Germans -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P173"></a>173}</span> -were pressing on in great numbers. An observer -near Bouchoir that evening (March 27) says: "I -have never seen so many Germans in all my -life—one huge dark mass about a mile away. With -glasses one could see howitzers, machine-guns, -trench-mortars, and field batteries, as well as infantry. It -was a most wonderful sight. They seemed to be -coming down the Roye Road, then moving off to the -south, and some stopping in a mass." -</p> - -<p> -The main German attack upon the extreme south -of the corps line on March 27 fell upon the Thirty-sixth -Division in the direction of Erches, with the -result that the Ulster men fell slowly back upon -Arvillers, the 60th Brigade throwing back a defensive -flank to correspond. By 12.30 Bouchoir, held by -the 90th Brigade, was gained by the Germans, but -the British formed a new line to the immediate -westward of the village. An attack upon Folies was -thrown back by the 59th Brigade. Towards evening -some order came out of a rather tangled position, -which may well be obscure both to writer and reader, -since soldiers upon the spot found the greatest -difficulty in separating the various confused elements. -As night fell upon March 27 after much desultory and -inconclusive local fighting, there was no great change -in the British line which ran from Warvillers, still -held by the Twenty-fourth Division, to the west of -Bouchoir, where the Thirtieth held the line, and -down to Arvillers held by the 60th Brigade of the -Twentieth Division, which was temporarily out of -touch with the Thirty-sixth Division. Hangest was -held by the Sixty-first Division, and Le Quesnel by -the Sixty-first and the French. That night the -Twentieth Division was ordered to join the Nineteenth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P174"></a>174}</span> -Corps, and their record under this new command will -be found in the preceding chapter. One would have -thought that they had reached the limits of human -endurance, and their total numbers were not more -than a thousand, and yet they were but at the -beginning of a new chapter in their glorious history. -The same words apply to their comrades of the -Sixty-first Division, who were also ordered north. -They were relieved by the French at Arvillers, and -this portion of the line was on March 28 pressed -back to the west of Hangest. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The removal of the Twentieth Division at so -critical a time could only be justified by the extreme -and pressing need of the Nineteenth Corps, for it -had the effect of producing an almost impossible -position for the line in the south. Had it been -possible to replace it at once with a solid French -division, it would have mattered less, but as matters -stood the One hundred and thirty-third French -Division had itself been involved in the retreat and -was greatly worn. There was so little time also to -get it into its new positions that there was never -any solid bastion upon that corner of the line. The -result was speedily seen in the morning of March 28, -when the Thirtieth Division were first subjected to -a very heavy bombardment, and then looking south -saw a general retreat going on from Arvillers, while -their left flank at Warvillers was also very weak, -since the Twenty-fourth Division was hardly strong -enough to maintain itself. By 2 P.M. both flanks -were bare, and the enemy were well round them in -the north and in the south at Hangest. At one time -it seemed impossible for the division to get clear, -and even now their extrication seems miraculous to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P175"></a>175}</span> -the officers who effected it. A rapid retreat was -made through Mezières and on to Moreuil, which only -just avoided the closing pincers of the German -advance. The French, who were in the act of relieving -the Thirtieth Division, came away with them and -had the same narrow escape. The block upon the -road which formed the only egress is described as -having been appalling, fugitives, refugees, and small -disciplined columns of troops being crowded together -from one end of it to the other. "The men were -excellent," says an officer of the Thirtieth Division. -"Their discipline was not a bit shaken." Such -words could not truthfully be said of every unit, -and yet soldiers can have seldom been more highly -tried in any operation in history. Even the Imperial -Guard may reach its breaking point, as the retreat -from Moscow has shown. At Moreuil there is only -one bridge, and had the German artillery been able -to find it the result would have been a Beresina. -As it was, the troops got across and speedily reformed -upon the farther side of the river Avre. -</p> - -<p> -This may be taken as the limit of the retreat of -the Eighteenth Corps, since the stand in the north -of the line and the thickening French resistance in -the south brought the momentum of the German -advance to a halt. How terrible the ordeal had been -may be gathered from the fact that the Twentieth -Division, as already mentioned, was not more than -1000 strong, the Thirtieth Division about 2000 strong, -the Sixty-first Division 2100 strong, and the Thirty-sixth -Division only a little stronger at the end of it. -Again and again it had been on the brink of absolute -disaster, but always by the wise dispositions of -General Maxse and his divisional generals, seconded -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P176"></a>176}</span> -by the splendid tenacity of his men, the worst -consequences had been avoided. Rapid readjustments -had been needed, but a fatal break was always -averted. The troops were handicapped in every -possible way, for not only was their artillery far -below strength, but for some reason the British -Air Service during these days of stress was very -weak in this southern area, while the German -machines were very numerous and aggressive. The -artillery officers were splendidly cool and efficient -all through, and in the case of the 92nd Brigade Royal -Field Artillery near Esmery-Hallon, it is said that -the last gun was just 25 yards from the Germans -when it limbered up. For two days the whole corps -artillery was with the French, and did fine work -with them, but to the great detriment of their own -infantry. Some of the batteries remained for a long -time with the French, and one French general has -left it upon record that the failure of the Germans -to capture Moreuil on April 4 was almost entirely -due to the splendid shooting of the 306th Brigade -Royal Field Artillery. After the first two days of -the retreat no guns were abandoned by the Eighteenth -Corps. The total losses of guns might be put at -about 90 field pieces and 4.5 howitzers, with about -50 heavier pieces. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap07"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P177"></a>177}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VII -<br /><br /> -THE SECOND BATTLE OF THE SOMME -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -The Retreat of the Third Corps -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Movement across the Crozat Canal—Fight of the 173rd -Brigade—Forcing of the Canal Line—Arrival of the French—Fight of -Frières Wood—Splendid work of the Cavalry—Loss of -Noyon—Final equilibrium—General retrospect of the Battle. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We shall now complete this slight survey of a vast -subject by following the fortunes of Butler's Third -Corps upon the extreme right of the whole British -Army. It has already been shown that the condition -of this corps at the end of the first day of battle was -most perilous, as its left flank in the region of Essigny, -where the battle zone of the Fourteenth Division -had been deeply pierced, was completely turned. -The Eighteenth Division in the centre had, it is true, -retained its ground, but the left brigade of the -Fifty-eighth Division upon the right, the only brigade of -that unit which was engaged, had also after a very -desperate resistance lost their front positions at -Quessy opposite to La Fère. Therefore orders had -been given to draw off the troops during the night of -March 21 across the Crozat Canal, and a covering line -had been built up from the 54th Brigade, the Second -Cavalry Division, and the 12th and 18th Entrenching -Battalions in order to hold the German pursuit and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P178"></a>178}</span> -to give the somewhat dishevelled troops time to -re-organise their ranks. By 5 A.M. on March 22 -they were over the canal and the bridges had been -destroyed. The artillery had been got over first to -cover the crossings, and the 54th Brigade, which had -covered the rear of the Fourteenth Division, was lined -up from Jussy to Mennessis. The Eighteenth Division -(less the 54th Brigade) fell back in the line of Frières -Wood, behind the canal. Many guns had been lost -but the cavalry had thrown the 3rd and 5th -Brigades of the R.H.A. into the firing-line to support -the infantry, and two new batteries of the 96th -R.F.A., only arrived the day before from England, -came in at the nick of time. -</p> - -<p> -It was of the first importance to destroy the -bridges along the canal, but this was found to be no -easy matter. They had all been mined and prepared -for destruction some time before by the French, but -either the lapse of time or faulty material had caused -such deterioration that the charges failed to explode, -and had to be renewed and discharged under circumstances -of great difficulty and danger. It was carried -out none the less with great tenacity by the British -sappers, but several weak points remained, notably -a canal lock which had been so injured that the bed -of the canal was exposed for some distance. The -railway bridges here, as elsewhere, were also a source -of weakness. -</p> - -<p> -As the corps turned to face the enemy upon the -south side of the canal the general line of battle -showed the 41st Brigade just south of St. Simon, -connected up on the left by the only surviving -battalion of the 42nd Brigade with the 61st Brigade -of the Twentieth Division who were in support of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P179"></a>179}</span> -the Thirty-sixth Ulsters at that place. Then came the -43rd and 54th Brigades, facing Jussy and Mennessis -with the 3rd and 5th Dismounted Cavalry Brigades -in support. South of this point were the 4th Cavalry -Brigade, the 55th Brigade, and the 53rd Brigade, -all in the Frières area. Then came the 173rd -Brigade in the Vouel neighbourhood with the 18th -Entrenching Battalion and the 6th Dismounted -Cavalry Brigade. This force had already lost heavily, -and many of the men were suffering from gas, but -they were sustained by the certainty that French -reinforcements would speedily reach them from the -south, as a system of mutual lateral support had -been agreed upon between the commanders. -</p> - -<p> -A line of trenches had been begun in this -neighbourhood by the French some time before, and it -had been carried on by Italian labour, but it was still -very unfinished, with many gaps, so that the tired -soldiers had to lay down their rifles and take to their -trenching tools to get some cover. It was already -clear that they would need it, for with early daybreak -on March 22 the Germans showed that they had -reached the north bank of the canal at Jussy. It was -again very misty, and they were able to bring up -their machine-guns and small artillery with perfect -impunity and place them under cover. It was not -until between 10 and 11 A.M. that the mist began to -lift, and the British outposts peering through it could -see the flash of the guns among the plantations on -the farther side. At an earlier hour the Germans had -tried to cross at Jussy, but had been driven back. -It was already evident, however, that they were in -a position to repair the bridges in such a way as to -find a passage wherever they desired. The general -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P180"></a>180}</span> -situation might be described as a curious reproduction -of the first action of the war when the two armies -lay upon either side of the Mons Canal. -</p> - -<p> -The French Sixth Army on the right had acted -with loyal promptitude, and the One hundred and -twenty-fifth Division, under General Diebold, was -already moving up from the south. One would have -imagined that the most efficient relief would have -been to replace the two British brigades in the south -of the Oise, and so re-unite the Fifty-eighth Division. -For some reason this was not done, and General -Worgan's 173rd Brigade continued to be a lone unit. -A very welcome reinforcement consisted of nine -batteries of French 75's. It was understood also that -the whole Fifth French Corps, under General Pellé, -was due at Noyon that evening, and that the Third -British Corps would be relieved by it as soon as -possible, but further help was slow in materialising. -</p> - -<p> -At about 1 P.M. on March 22 the enemy made -their first crossing of the canal in the region of the -173rd Brigade. They advanced from Fargniers in -the direction of Tergnier village. The range of vision -in this water-sodden region was not more than fifty -yards, which greatly handicapped Colonel Dervicke-Jones -of the 8th London, who was in local command -of this sector, as it put his machine-gun defence out -of action. The troops were spread over a front of -3000 yards, so that the various companies were widely -separated. The first German advance was made -across a lock gate by a number of men dressed in -the uniforms of some of the 1st London, taken the -day before—a ruse which was the more successful -as a number of genuine stragglers had actually been -in in this fashion during the morning. An -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P181"></a>181}</span> -attack followed during which C Company of the 8th -Londons, while holding the enemy in front, were -attacked by these pretended comrades upon the right -rear, so that they were almost entirely destroyed. A -road was thus opened across the canal, and the enemy -opened out both north and south of the Quessy-Tergnier -Road, cutting off those of the 3rd and 8th -London who were on the farther side. These men -fought to a finish, and only a few of them ever got -back. Colonel Dervicke-Jones had taken up a -position in an old French reserve line called the Butt -line, with two companies of his battalion and some -machine-guns, and was able to hold up the enemy -all day in his immediate front, and to prevent several -battalions from deploying out of Tergnier. The -artillery also got on to the German infantry in this -part of the field with good results. This Butt position -was maintained until the morning of March 23. -Farther up the line, in the region of the Fourteenth -Division, other troubles had developed, and the -pressure of the enemy was great. At 4.30 P.M. the -defenders were reinforced, but the enemy were already -across at several points and were advancing upon -Cugny. There was desultory fighting along the whole -corps front, and though there was promise of immediate -French relief, no French troops seem to have been -actually engaged upon March 22. About 6 o'clock -in the evening the enemy was across at Jussy Bridge -and also at Montagne, but a fine counter-attack was -made at this point by the 7th Bedfords and 6th -Northamptons of the 54th Brigade, aided by the -16th Lancers, which drove the German infantry -across once more and caused considerable losses. -In spite of this success the general situation upon -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P182"></a>182}</span> -the evening of March 22 was not cheering, and the -task of the Third Corps which had been ordered to -stand fast and form the southern hinge upon which -the whole retreat should turn, was clearly a very -difficult one. It was the more alarming, as the rapid -progress of the enemy at Beauvais and Vaux at the -centre of the army led to a demand for cavalry which -could not be complied with without denuding the line -to a dangerous and almost impossible extent. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 23. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was soon clear on the morning of March 23 -that the Butt position on the right could not be -maintained. The French had taken it over, but -they were unable to hold it. A line was built up near -Noreuil, where the remains of the 8th and 3rd Londons, -aided by some French details, endeavoured all day -to check the German advance. The main attacks -were driving down from the north, and were heralded -by a very severe machine-gun barrage, which rained -bullets over the British position. The defence was -much aided by a French armoured car upon the -Quessy-Rouez road, and by a battery of 75's. The -4th London were to the south of the village and less -exposed to the force of the advance. About six, -after an hour of intense shelling, the Germans closed in -upon Noreuil, the defenders, after a stout resistance -which occasionally came to hand-to-hand fighting, -being driven westwards. Colonel Burt, commanding -the 6th Cavalry Brigade, barricaded his headquarters -in the village and held the Germans off a long time -by his deadly fire. It was not until long after the -lines had been withdrawn that this brave officer had -to be specially summoned to leave his post and fall -back on Chauny. Finally, the retreat became general, -but was rallied at the end of the Noreuil valley, where -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P183"></a>183}</span> -some 200 men collected, and with a good field of fire -to help them, remained for some time on the defence. -Late at night this small force was ordered to fall -back to a new line at Chauny. -</p> - -<p> -It has already been stated that two companies -(C and D) of the 8th London (Post Office Rifles) had -been cut off when the Germans got across the lock -gate on the afternoon of March 22. These men, -under Captain Gunning, had made a remarkable -defence, crawling out with Lewis guns on to the lock -gates in order to enfilade the advancing Germans. -In the afternoon of March 23 they found themselves -with the Germans on three sides of them and the canal -on the fourth. Captain Gunning and Captain Kelly -with the survivors then fought their way through to -Condren, where they still continued their resistance. -These soldiers, who made so admirable a resistance, -were largely men who had been combed from the -Army Service Corps. -</p> - -<p> -Whilst the 23rd of March had brought this heavy -fighting to the 173rd Brigade, it had been a day of -severe trial to all the other units of the corps front. -The 54th Brigade was still covering the crossing at -Jussy and Montagne, but the pressure was rapidly -increasing as fresh German divisions made their -presence felt. The situation was the more serious -as General Butler already knew that the enemy were -across the canal at Ham and had turned his left -flank, but it was still hoped that a counter-attack -in this quarter might throw him back, and so it was -determined to hold on to the line. An emergency -force of odds and ends, dismounted troopers, labour -men, and returned leave men were gathered together -at Crisolles and placed under the command of General -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P184"></a>184}</span> -Harman to co-operate with General Greenly who -now led the remains of the Fourteenth Division, in -guarding the left wing. Meanwhile there was very -brisk fighting at Jussy, where the German infantry -had once again, under the cover of many guns, got -a footing upon the south side of the canal. They -were at once vigorously attacked by a small body -of the 11th Royal Fusiliers and of the Scots Greys -and penned up in the village of Jussy. At 11 A.M. the -Germans had also got across at Mennessis, but -came under the fire of four machine-guns of the -Canadian Mounted Brigade which inflicted heavy -losses upon them. None the less at a second effort -the Germans were across once more, driving back -by the weight of their attack the worn ranks of the -7th Bedfords and of the 9th Scottish Rifles. At -11.30 they were half a mile south of Jussy, and might -have got round the flank of the Bedfords but for -the interposition of 200 Canadian dragoons. "These -grim, square-faced men, with their parchment skins -and their granite features, were a glad sight to our -weary eyes," says one who was fighting beside them. -There was a time when it was doubtful whether in -this quarter there was anything but a line of -dismounted troops between the enemy and Paris. -</p> - -<p> -Every man who could be spared was hurried up -to hold the weak points of the line, including the -8th Sussex, the pioneer battalion of the Eighteenth -Division, the rest of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, -and the 7th Cavalry Brigade, but the mischief had -gone too far, and the situation upon the right of the -line was even worse than at Jussy. The counter-attack -of the French One hundred and twenty-fifth -Division in the direction of Tergnier had not been a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P185"></a>185}</span> -success, which is not to be wondered at, for the -French infantry had come fast and far, their -ammunition was not plentiful, and they were working over -strange ground against an aggressive and victorious -enemy. Next to the French on that front was the -7th Queen's. Colonel Bushell found himself at one -period in command of the left of the French as well -as of his own Surrey men, and he led on this mixed -following under an intense fire, being himself severely -wounded and yet rallying them again and again. -Little progress could be made, but at least he held -the line firm for a time. This gallant colonel, after -having his wound dressed, returned to the field of -battle, fell insensible, and had at last to be carried -off. Next to the 7th Queen's was the 8th East Surreys -(both of 55th Brigade), which was also in the thick -of the battle, as was the neighbouring 12th Entrenching -Battalion. This line made a very fine resistance, -but was slowly pressed back by weight of numbers -until at 4 P.M. they were on the line Noreuil-Frières-Faillouel, -to the left of the spot where the 173rd -Brigade was still holding its ground. The remains of -the 7th Buffs fell back also with the rest of the 55th -Brigade, fighting hard, through Frières Wood, where -to the south-west of the wood they found some old -French trenches, in which, with the aid of the -survivors of the Queen's, they, under Colonel Ransome, -organised a line for the rest of that arduous day. -This resistance held up some strong drives of the -enemy which were evidently intended, in conjunction -with the attack from Jussy in the north, to cut off all -the troops in the woody country round Frières, and -it acted as a most efficient screen during the -withdrawal of the rest of the line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P186"></a>186}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The whole eastern limit of the British area was -spotted at this period by small bodies of men who -were working desperately to keep the German infantry -from sweeping in from that side. At Noreuil, as has -been shown, were the remains of the 173rd Brigade. -At Frières Wood were the decimated 55th Brigade. -Opposite Jussy were the 54th Brigade and the -dismounted cavalry, slowly retiring before the -ever-increasing pressure. In between these organised -bodies were many smaller units all striving hard for -the same end. Among these may be mentioned two -companies of sappers, 80th and 92nd Field Companies -R.E., who were extended upon the road north of -Noreuil in touch with the 173rd Brigade on one side. -These valiant men not only held their position all -day, but actually made a counter-attack under -Lieutenant Richardson in the evening, when they -advanced until they were nearly surrounded. Finally -they fought their way back to the Caillouel area. -</p> - -<p> -As evening drew in the situation had become -more and more difficult. The enemy had been -driving in from every quarter all day without a -respite, and the troops, many of whom had been -engaged for more than two days without a moment -for rest or re-organisation, were in a great state of -exhaustion. Only a handful of several battalions -remained as a fighting force. The confusion was -made worse by the fact that the light blue uniforms -of the French were mistaken for the grey of the -Germans, so that misleading and alarming reports -were continually brought in to the commanders. All -reserves were in the fight, and the need of relief -was urgent. About 4 o'clock the Faillouel position -was found to be no longer tenable, and the troops fell -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P187"></a>187}</span> -back through the village, which was immediately -occupied by the enemy who were pushing up their -troops in motor-lorries in this quarter. By 5 o'clock -the right wing had come back 500 yards, and by -evening the main position was at Caillouel, when the -54th assembled, numbering 650 bayonets all told, -the three battalions of Bedfords, Northamptons, and -Royal Fusiliers being each a little over 200 strong. -Detachments of the Scots Greys and 20th Hussars -joined them at that village. -</p> - -<p> -The 53rd Brigade, fighting upon the left of the -55th Brigade, was as heavily engaged on March 23 -as the other units of the Third Corps on the south -side of the canal. At noon they had lent the 10th -Essex to support their neighbours, and they -consisted henceforth of only two weary battalions, the -6th Berks and 7th West Kents. At 3 o'clock in -the afternoon they were heavily attacked and were -pushed slowly back, struggling hard to keep the line. -Major Tween led a counter-attack of his battalion -headquarters, and checked the German advance at -a critical moment, but was mortally wounded in the -gallant endeavour. The two battalions were so weak -that they had been telescoped into one, but good -steel remains tough be it ever so thin, and the line -still held. At 5.30 the 9th French Cuirassiers, -long-booted giants, came up to help them, as did the -79th Field Company and various small details. At -7 the remains of the 55th Brigade were falling -back through their ranks. When they had passed, -the 53rd was also withdrawn as far as Commenchon, -while the 55th reassembled at Bethencourt to the -north. Three gallant Cuirassier regiments of the -1st French Cavalry Division covered the rear. All -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P188"></a>188}</span> -the troops that night were worn to rags, for it is to -be remembered always that the great local disparity -of force enabled the Germans to bring up perpetually -lines of perfectly fresh men with a new impetus and -inspiration, against men, many of whom had been -gassed on the first day, and who were now weary to -death and hardly able either to stand or to think, -to order or to understand an order. On the whole -long, tormented, struggling line there was no time or -place where the pressure was greater than here. In -spite of all the ardour of the attack the stubborn -constancy of the defence may be measured by the -fact that, save for one battery which was destroyed -by shell-fire upon the afternoon of the 23rd, no guns -were lost in this corps either upon March 22 or 23. -On the other hand, so great had been the destruction -of machine-guns, especially upon the first day, that -only two were left out of forty-eight in the Eighteenth -Division, though these were augmented by six new -ones on March 24. -</p> - -<p> -The Sixth French Army, on the right of the -British, was doing all it could to send up help, but -it seems certain that none of this force was actually -engaged before March 23, though it is stated upon -good authority that in the liaison plans of the army -the aid from the south was promised for the very -first day. Any delay was not due to want of energy -or loyalty of officers and men upon the spot. By the -evening of March 23 the French units in the fighting-line -were the One hundred and twenty-fifth Division, -which made the unsuccessful counter-attack towards -Tergnier, the First French Dismounted Cavalry -Division, who fought side by side with the Eighteenth -British Division, the Ninth and the Tenth French -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P189"></a>189}</span> -Divisions, both of which were on the extreme left -of the Third Corps, and can hardly be said to have -been engaged. As the French troops were now -predominating in this sector, the command passed -on the evening of March 23 to General Humbert, -a dark, wiry little French veteran, commanding the -Third Army. General Butler continued, of course, -to command his own corps. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of March 24 the situation to the -south of the Crozat Canal was as follows. The Fifty-eighth -Division still held its original line from Barisis -to the Buttes de Rouy, with a party holding the -bridgehead at Condren. Then on the general line -north and north-east of Chauny were the broken but -indomitable remains of the Londoners of the 173rd -Brigade, mixed up with fragments of the French -One hundred and twenty-fifth Division, the 18th -Entrenching Battalion, and troopers of the 6th -Dismounted Cavalry Brigade, together with the dust of -smaller broken units. Up to La Neuville was covered -by the worn brigades of the Eighteenth Division -supporting the French Cuirassiers. North of that -was the 326th Regiment of the Ninth French Division, -and north of that what was left of the British -Fourteenth Division up to a point within a mile of Cugny, -which was in German hands. On the extreme left -flank on this sector the Thirty-sixth Division and the -61st Brigade were in Ollezy and Eaucourt. There -had been some fighting on the front of the Fifty-eighth -Division during the night, but otherwise it was quiet, -and the soldiers were able to snatch a few hours of -sleep. -</p> - -<p> -Once again there was a thick morning fog, under -cover of which the German infantry broke suddenly -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P190"></a>190}</span> -upon the One hundred and twenty-fifth French -Division, north-east of Chauny, driving them back -towards Abbecourt. This placed the British troops -at Condren in a perilous position, but it was essential -to hold the line of the Oise, and any abandonment of -the bridge would have been fatal. The Fifty-eighth -Division was ordered to stand fast therefore, and the -173rd Brigade was reinforced by the 16th and 18th -Entrenching Battalions. These entrenching battalions -are, it may be remarked, entirely apart from the -Labour Corps, and were soldiers, well officered and -organised, formed from those units which remained -over after the re-organisation of the three-battalion -brigades. Apart from these were the labour battalions -who also in those hard days were occasionally the -final weight which tilts the balance where the fate -of armies and finally of empires was in the scale. -Manfully they rose to the occasion, and the Empire -owes them a very special word of thanks. During -the afternoon all the British and French troops in -this quarter passed over the Oise, mostly in the -Abbecourt district, blowing up the bridges behind -them and passing under the command of General -Duchesne of the Sixth French Army. This left a -blank upon the right of the Eighteenth Division upon -the north of the river, but General Seely brought up -his cavalry and endeavoured to cover it, while the -Second Dismounted Cavalry Division was pushed -out upon the left of the Fourteenth Division in the -north, to preserve the connection between the Third -and Eighteenth Corps. The Third Cavalry Division -under General Harman was thrown in also at this -point, and about 2.30, having mounted their horses, -they charged most gallantly in order to re-establish -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P191"></a>191}</span> -the line north of Villeselve on the front of the Ulster -Division. The Royal Dragoons were prominent in -this fine charge in which they sabred many of the -enemy, took over 100 prisoners, and relieved the -pressure upon the Irish Fusiliers of the 109th Brigade -at a time when it was very heavy. -</p> - -<p> -The whole corps front was slowly falling back -during the day, partly on account of the steady -pressure of the German attack and partly in order -to conform with the line to the north. The -Fourteenth Division, moving south-west through -Crisolles, found itself in the evening on the west side -of the Noyon Canal, covering the two crossings at -Haudival and Beaurains. A vamped-up detachment -of stragglers and nondescripts under Colonel Curling -were placed to fill up the gap between the Fourteenth -Division and Noyon. The left of the Fourteenth -Division at Guiscard was covered by General Harman's -detachment, and it is characteristic of the adaptability -of the British soldier that seventy Northumberland -Hussars who had become cyclists were suddenly -whipped off their machines, put upon horses and -sent up to reinforce the thin ranks of the cavalry. -</p> - -<p> -The centre of the line covering Caillouel was held -all day by the Eighteenth Division, with the First -French Cavalry Division still acting as a breakwater -before the advancing flood. In spite of the gallant -Cuirassiers the pressure was very great from the -54th Brigade who were in the north, through the -55th and down to the 53rd, which covered the north -of Noyon. Some of the edge was taken from the -German attack by the efficient work of the 82nd -Brigade Royal Field Artillery and the 3rd and 5th -Royal Horse Artillery, who were hard at it from -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P192"></a>192}</span> -morning to night. The French infantry on the -left of the Eighteenth Division lost Guivry towards -evening, but they held fast to Beaugies until after -nightfall. About ten o'clock, however, the German -infantry was into Beaugies, and the situation became -dangerous as they were getting round the left flank -of the Eighteenth Division, so that there was a -general retreat to the rearward position called the -Crepigny Ridge, which was not fully reached and -occupied until 3 A.M. on March 25. That evening -the Fifty-eighth Division reported that early in the -day they had blown up all bridges and also the Royal -Engineer dump at Chauny. So intersected is the -whole country at the back of the line of the Fifth -Army by watercourses, that the total number of -bridges blown up during the retreat amounted to -about 250; and only in two cases, that of the Ham -Road bridge and that at Chipilly, was the result -unsatisfactory. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the early morning of March 25 the Germans, -who were still marching rapidly and fighting hard, -were close to Guiscard, pushing on so swiftly that -special troops had to be detailed to cover the heavy -guns. General Butler had so far as possible pulled -his dismounted troopers out of the fight and had -restored them to their proper role, so that now he -possessed a force of about 2000 horsemen, who were -ready to execute the all-important functions of -mounted infantry, so invaluable in a retreat. Under -Generals Greenly and Pitman these horsemen did -great work during the remainder of the operations. -</p> - -<p> -Since the German pressure was still very heavy -and the enemy were sweeping onwards in the north, -it was necessary to continue the withdrawal of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P193"></a>193}</span> -the line north of the Oise, while holding fast to -the southern bank along its whole length. The -first movement in this withdrawal was to the line -Mondescourt-Grandru, and the second to the line -Appilly-Babœuf-Mont de Béthéricourt. By 8.30 -the Eighteenth Division in the middle of the line was -effecting this retirement, the northern flank, which -was the post of danger, being covered by the 11th -Royal Fusiliers of the 54th Brigade. It was a most -difficult and delicate business with the enemy pressing -down continually through the woods and villages -with which the country is studded. On the south -the 53rd Brigade and the French Cuirassiers were -withdrawing through Mondescourt in some disorder. -When the troops were rallied and rearranged, there -were no French troops upon the right. At 10 A.M. the -54th Brigade had reached the Grandru position, -but were out of touch both with the French on -their left and with the 55th Brigade on their right. -They therefore continued to fall back upon Béthéricourt. -At 1 o'clock a strong German infantry attack, -in many lines, developed upon the right near Appilly -and a heavy machine-gun barrage burst out over -the 53rd Brigade and their immediate comrades upon -the right, the 289th French Regiment. Up to 3 -o'clock the Allies in this quarter were retiring under -a very heavy fire, much helped by four valiant cars -of the French Cavalry's Mitrailleuses Automobiles, -who did splendid service in covering the exhausted -infantry. The German infantry, pressing eagerly -forward in expectation of that general débacle which -never occurred, was riddled by the fire of these -motor-guns and left swathes of dead behind them. -The attack had the effect, however, of driving back -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P194"></a>194}</span> -the Allied line to such a point that a French force -which was defending Mont Béthéricourt was entirely -isolated and in great peril of destruction. Under -these circumstances the French officer in command -appealed to General Sadleir-Jackson of the 54th -Brigade to make a great effort to rescue his -imperilled men. Sadleir-Jackson without hesitation led -back his men into the village of Babœuf, cleared it -of the Germans, captured ten machine-guns with -nearly 300 prisoners, and regained touch with the -French, who were enabled to withdraw. The 7th -Bedfords and 11th Royal Fusiliers were the heroes -of this chivalrous exploit, where we were able to -repay the loyalty which the French have so often -shown to us. It should be added that a company -of the 12th Entrenching Battalion, which like all the -other entrenching units had gone through this severe -infantry fighting without light artillery, signals, or -any of the ordinary adjuncts of well-equipped infantry, -was still so full of military spirit that without orders -it joined in this victorious charge. -</p> - -<p> -On March 25 the Germans were within shelling -distance of Noyon, and the British evacuated -successfully nearly 2000 wounded from that town. The -counter-attack of the 54th Brigade had stopped the -German advance for a time, and the Eighteenth -Division was able to get across the river Oise, the -guns and transport passing in the afternoon while -the infantry got across that night and in the morning -of March 26, without serious molestation, being -covered by their sappers and pioneers, who blew up -the bridges as soon as the troops were safely across. -At two in the morning of March 26 the French -abandoned Noyon. At this time there were no -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P195"></a>195}</span> -British troops upon the north of the river save the -remains of the Fourteenth Division which were -finally relieved upon this date, and the Second and -Third Cavalry Divisions, now under Generals Pitman -and Portal, who harassed the German advance at -every opportunity, and rendered constant help to the -French rearguards. The Second Cavalry Division -secured the high ground immediately west of Noyon, -and held it until it could be handed over to the French -infantry. The general line of the cavalry was facing -north-east from west of Noyon, through Suzoy to -Lagny, where they were in touch with the Tenth -French Division. The left of the Second Cavalry -Division had been prolonged by the addition of the -Canadian Dismounted Brigade. These men soon -found themselves involved in some hard fighting, -for the Germans attacked the French at Lagny and -drove them out. On one occasion this day, at the -Bois des Essarts, the troopers of the Second British -Cavalry Division galloped through the French -infantry to hold off the attacking Germans, an episode -in which Lieutenant Cotton and other officers gained -the honour of mention in the French order of the -day. The left of the cavalry was compelled to fall -back finally to Dives, and the Canadians after a -determined struggle were driven out of the woods -which they occupied. Finally, the 3rd Cavalry -Brigade (Bell-Smyth), consisting of the 5th and 16th -Lancers with the 4th Hussars were nearly surrounded, -and had the greatest difficulty in fighting their way -out. Before night they were in touch once more -both with the French and with their comrades of the -4th Brigade. On the morning of March 27 word -came that the British cavalry was imperatively -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P196"></a>196}</span> -needed at the junction between the French and -British armies. It was despatched forthwith to do -splendid service in the north after having played a -glorious part in the south. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -March 28. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -From now onwards the fighting upon the Roye -and Montdidier front (both towns passed soon into -German possession) was no longer connected with -the Third Corps. The position to the south of the -Oise showed that the Fifty-eighth British Division -held from Barisis to Manicamp. Thence to Bretigny -was the One hundred and twenty-fifth French -Division. Thence to the east of Varennes were -the Fifty-fifth French Division, with cavalry, and -the First French Division up to Sempigny. Thence -the line ran in an irregular curve through Lassigny -to Canny, the enemy being well past that line on the -north, and the direction of attack being rather from -the north-west. On the morning of March 28 orders -were issued that the remains of the Third Corps should -be transferred to the north, where they should join -their comrades of the Fifth Army, from whom they -were now separated by a considerable distance. -Within the next two days, after some difficulties and -delays in extricating the artillery, these orders were -carried out, though it was not till some days later -that the Fifty-eighth London Division could be -relieved. This unit had not, save for the 173rd -Brigade, been engaged in the recent fighting, but it -had held a line of over ten miles of river, along the -whole of which it was within touch with the enemy. -One effort of the Germans to get across at Chauny -on March 31 was met and repelled by the 16th -Entrenching Battalion, who killed many of the -assailants and captured nearly 100 prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P197"></a>197}</span> -</p> - -<p> -So ended the vicissitudes of the Third Corps, -which had the strange experience of being swept -entirely away from the army to which it belonged, -and finding itself under French command, and with -French troops fighting upon either wing. Its losses -were exceedingly heavy, including 20 heavy and -100 field-guns, with about 15,000 killed, wounded, -or missing. The Fourteenth Division was the chief -sufferer with 5880 casualties, 4500 of which came -under the head of "Missing," and represent the -considerable detachments which were cut off in the -first day of the battle. The losses of some of the -battalions approached annihilation. In spite of all -pressure and all misfortunes there was never a time -when there was a break, and the whole episode was -remarkable for the iron endurance of officers and -men in the most trying of all experiences—an enforced -retirement in the face of an enemy vastly superior -both in numbers and in artillery support. When we -realise how great was the disparity it is amazing how -the line could have held, and one wonders at that -official reticence which allowed such glorious epics -to be regarded as part of a great military disaster. -Against the two and a half British divisions which -were in the line on March 21 there were arrayed -seven German divisions, namely, the Fifth Guards, -First Bavarians, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-seventh, One -hundred and third, Forty-seventh, and Third Jaeger. -There came to the Third Corps as reinforcements up -to March 26 two British cavalry divisions, one French -cavalry division, and three French infantry divisions, -making eight and a half divisions in all, while seven -more German divisions, the Tenth, Two hundred and -eleventh, Two hundred and twenty-third, Eleventh -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P198"></a>198}</span> -Reserve, Two hundred and forty-first, Thirty-third, -and Thirty-sixth, came into line, making fourteen in -all. When one considers that these were specially -trained troops who represented the last word in -military science and efficiency, one can estimate that -an unbroken retreat may be a greater glory than a -victorious advance. -</p> - -<p> -Every arm—cavalry, infantry, and artillery—emerged -from this terrible long-drawn ordeal with -an addition to their fame. The episode was rather -a fresh standard up to which they and others had -to live than a fault which had to be atoned. They -fought impossible odds, and they kept on fighting, -day and night, ever holding a fresh line, until the -enemy desisted from their attacks in despair of ever -breaking a resistance which could only end with the -annihilation of its opponents. Nor should the -organisation and supply services be forgotten in any -summing up of the battle. The medical arrangements, -with their self-sacrifice and valour, have been already -dealt with, but of the others a high General says: -"A great strain was also cast upon the administrative -staffs of the army, of corps and of divisions, in -evacuating a great mass of stores, of hospitals, of -rolling stock, of more than 60,000 non-combatants -and labour units, while at the same time supplying -the troops with food and ammunition. With ever -varying bases and depots, and eternal rapid shifting -of units, there was hardly a moment when gun or -rifle lacked a cartridge. It was a truly splendid -performance." -</p> - -<p> -We have now traced the movements and the final -positions of the eight corps which were involved in -this terrible battle from the foggy morning which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P199"></a>199}</span> -witnessed the German attack, up to those rainy days -of early April which showed a stable line—a line -which in spite of occasional oscillations continued -from that date until the great British victory in -August, to mark the point of equilibrium of the giant -forces which leaned from east and from west. In this -account we have seen the Seventeenth and Sixth -Corps in the north fall back upon Arras and the -Vimy Ridge, where they turned and dealt their -pursuers such a blow that the battle in that sector -was at an end. We have seen the Fourth, Fifth, and -Seventh Corps struggling hard to make a line from -Arras to Albert and down to the Somme; we have -seen the Nineteenth Corps covering a huge front and -finally holding firm near Villers-Bretonneux, and we -have seen the Eighteenth and Third Corps intermixed -with our French Allies helping to determine the line -in the southern area of the great field of battle. That -line running just to the west of Montdidier, Moreuil, -and Albert was destined for four months to be a -fixed one, though it was advanced during that time -by the splendid audacity of the Australians, who -gave their opponents no rest, and finally, with the -help of the British Eighth Division, entirely re-won -the town of Villers-Bretonneux when it was temporarily -lost, and extended our outposts a mile or more -to the east of it, as will be presently described. Save -for this action there was no movement of importance -during that time, though the general set of the tide -was rather eastwards than westwards. -</p> - -<p> -One cannot leave so vast a theme as the second -battle of the Somme without a few words as to the -general impression left upon the mind of the writer -by the many documents bearing upon the subject -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P200"></a>200}</span> -which he has had to peruse. In the first place, we -cannot possibly deny that it was a great German -victory, and one which was well earned, since it -depended upon clever and new dispositions entailing -laborious preparation with the intelligent and valiant -co-operation of officers and men. The overpowering -force of the blow, while it removed all reproach from -those who had staggered back from it, depended -upon the able way in which it was delivered. Having -said so much, we must remind the German commentator -that he cannot have it both ways, and that -if a gain of guns, prisoners, and ground which fails -to break the line is, as we admit, a victory to the -Germans, then a similar result is a victory to the -British also. He cannot claim the second battle of -the Somme to be a victory, and yet deny the term -to such battles as Arras, Messines, and Passchendaele. -The only difference is that the Germans really did -try to break the line upon March 21, and failed to do -so, while no such design was in General Haig's mind -during the battles of 1917, save perhaps in the last -series of operations. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-200-t"></a> -<br /> -<a href="images/img-200.jpg"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-200-t.jpg" alt="Position at the Close of the Great Retreat, March 30" /> -</a> -<br /> -Position at the Close of the Great Retreat, March 30 -</p> - -<p> -There was a regrettable tendency after the battle -to recriminations in the Press, and General Gough, -who had been the head of the Fifth Army, was -sacrificed without any enquiry as to the dominant -force which he had to face, or as to the methods -by which he mitigated what might have been a -really crushing disaster. It can be safely stated -that in the opinion of many of those who are in -the best position to know and to judge, there was -absolutely nothing upon the military side which -could have been bettered, nor has any suggestion -ever been made of anything which was left undone. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P201"></a>201}</span> -The entrenching had been carried out for several -months with an energy which raised protests from -the men who had to do it. There might almost be -room for the opposite criticism that in the constant -work of the navvy the training of the soldier had -been unduly neglected; but that was the result of -the unavoidable scarcity of non-military labour. -The extension of the front was undoubtedly too long -for the number of men who had to cover it; but -this was done at the express request of the French, -who had strong military reasons for drawing out and -training a number of their divisions. It was taking -a risk undoubtedly, but the risk was forced upon -the soldiers, and in any case the French have taken -risks before now for us. The blowing up of the -bridges was well done, and the only exception seems -to have been in the case of railway bridges which, -for some reason, were taken out of the hands of the -army commander. The reserves were insufficient -and were perhaps too far back, but the first item at -least depended upon the general weakness of -manpower. Nowhere can one lay one's hand upon any -solid ground for complaint, save against the rogues -and fools of Brest-Litovsk, who by their selfish and -perjured peace enabled the Germans to roll a tidal -wave of a million men from east to west, with the -certainty that they would wash away the first dam -against which they struck. If there is any military -criticism to be made, it lies rather in the fact that the -French help from the south was nearly sixty hours -before it made itself felt at the nearest part of the -British line, and also in the surprising number of -draft reserves kept in England at that date. Within -a month of the battle 350,000 had been sent to the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P202"></a>202}</span> -front—a very remarkable feat, but a sign, surely, of -an equally remarkable omission. Had ten emergency -divisions of infantry been made out of the more -forward of these drafts, had they been held ready in -the rear zones, and had the actual existing reserves -been pushed up to the front, it is safe to say that -the German advance would have been stopped earlier -and would probably not have got beyond the Peronne-Noyon -line. If, as was stated in Parliament, it was -confidently expected that the German attack would -strike exactly where it did, then it does seem -deplorable that the nearest reserve to the Fifth Army, -a single division, had, through our weak man-power, -to be kept at a three days' journey from the point -of danger. If, instead of searching the record of the -General for some trace of weakness, our critics had -realised the rapidity of his decision, with the moral -courage and grasp of actuality which he showed by -abandoning his positions—no easy thing for one of -his blood and record—and falling back unbroken upon -a new line of defence beyond the German heavy -artillery, they could not have failed to admit that the -country owes a deep debt of gratitude to General -Gough. Had he hesitated and his army been isolated -and destroyed, the whole war might well have taken -a most sinister turn for the worse. -</p> - -<p> -Granting, however, that the disaster was minimised -by the prompt appreciation of the situation -by the General in command, by the splendid work -of his four corps-commanders, and by the -co-operation of every one concerned, it is still -undeniable that the losses were very heavy, and the -result, even after making every allowance for German -wastage, a considerable military disaster. In killed, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P203"></a>203}</span> -wounded, and missing in the Fifth Army alone the -figures could not be less than 50,000, including Feetham -and Malcolm, army divisional generals, with Dawson, -Bailey, White, Bellingham, and numerous other -brigadiers and senior officers. In field-guns 235 were so -lost or destroyed out of 600, in medium heavies -108 out of 494, in 8-inch or over pieces 19 out -of 98. Great quantities of stores, especially at -Ham, fell into the hands of the enemy, but so far -as possible they were burned or made useless. -Bad as the episode seemed at the time, it is clear -now to any one who looks back upon it that it -had no evil effect upon the result of the war. The -Germans were exposed to very heavy losses which -they could ill afford. They have admitted to 180,000 -in documents published since the armistice but this -may be an understatement. They were drawn -away from their famous lines to which they did not -return until they were so reduced that they could not -hold them. Finally, it led to that concentration of -power in the hands of Marshal Foch which was worth -many sacrifices to attain. Sir Douglas Haig, from his -many services and long experience, might well have -put forward claims to the supreme place, and it is -characteristic of the nobility of this great soldier -that it was in response to a telegram from him to the -Prime Minister, in which he named General Foch -for the position, that the change was eventually -carried through. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap08"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P204"></a>204}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER VIII -<br /><br /> -THE SOMME FRONT FROM APRIL 1 ONWARDS -</h3> - -<p class="intro"> -The last waves of the storm—The Twelfth Division at Albert—The -Forty-seventh Division at Aveluy Wood—The Australians in the -south—Capture of Villers-Bretonneux by the Germans—Recapture -by Australians and Eighth Division—Fierce fighting—The -first turn of the tide. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -April 1918. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The limit and results of the second battle of the -Somme had been defined when the Australians, New -Zealanders, Second Canadians, and fresh British -divisions took the place of their exhausted comrades -towards the end of March. The German reserves, -great as they were, were nearly exhausted, and they -had no more men to put into the fight. The final line -began to clearly define itself, running from a few miles -east of Arras where the Seventh and Sixth Corps had -struck back so heavily at the German pursuit, through -Neuville Vitasse, Boyelles, Ayette, Bucquoy, -Hebuterne, Auchonvillers, Aveluy, just west of Albert, -Denancourt, Warfusee, and Marcelcave. The worst -storm was over, but even as the sinking sea will still -send up one great wave which sweeps the deck, so -the German battle front would break from time to -time into a spasm of energy, which could effect no -great purpose and yet would lead to a considerable -local engagement. These episodes must at least be -indicated in the order of their occurrence. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P205"></a>205}</span> -</p> - -<p> -One great centre of activity was the ruined town -of Albert, for the Germans were able to use it as a -covered approach, and thus mass their troops and -attempt to break through to the westward. The -order of divisions in this sector showed that the -Sixty-third and Forty-seventh, still fighting in spite -of their wounds, were to the immediate north-west. -The Twelfth Division was due west. South-west -was the Third Division of Australians and south of -these the Fourth. On each of these, and sometimes -upon all of them, the strain was very great, as the -Germans struggled convulsively to burst the bonds -of Albert. It should be noted that the Fifth Army -had for the time passed out of being, and that all the -southern end of the line was now held by the Fourth -Army under General Rawlinson. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -April 4. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The main attack upon the Albert sector was on -April 4, when the Germans made a violent effort, -and the affair reached the proportions of a -considerable battle. About eight in the morning the -action began by a severe and sudden attack upon -the Australian Division 1000 yards south of Albert, -and also on the railway near Denancourt. The -Australians fought as Australians have always fought -in this war, but the onset was very heavy, supported -by a shattering fire, and they were forced to yield -some ground. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -April 5. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -North of the Australians was the Twelfth Division -with the 35th and 36th Brigades in the line, in that -order from the south. The temporary recoil of the -Australians rendered the 35th Brigade vulnerable, -and the Germans with their usual quick military -perception at once dashed at it. About 1 o'clock -they rushed forward in two waves, having built up -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P206"></a>206}</span> -their formation under cover of the ruined houses of -Albert. The attack struck in between the 7th -Suffolks and 9th Essex, but the East Anglians stood -fast and blew it back with their rifle-fire, much helped -by the machine-guns of the 5th Berks. Farther -north the attack beat up against the left of the -Forty-seventh and the right of the Sixty-third Divisions, but -neither the Londoners nor the naval men weakened. -The pressure was particularly heavy upon the Forty-seventh, -and some details of the fighting will presently -be given. The next morning, April 5, saw the battle -still raging along the face of these four divisions. -The Germans attempted to establish their indispensable -machine-guns upon the ridge which they had -taken on the south, but they were driven off by the -Australians. The 36th Brigade in the north of -the Albert sector had lost some ground at Aveluy, -but about noon on April 5 the 9th Royal Fusiliers -with the help of the 7th Sussex re-established the -front, though the latter battalion endured very heavy -losses from an enfilade fire from a brickfield. The -5th Berks also lost heavily on this day. So -weighty was the German attack that at one time the -4th Australians had been pushed from the high -ground, just west of the Amiens-Albert railway, and -the 35th Brigade had to throw back a defensive wing. -The position was soon re-established, however, though -at all points the British losses were considerable, -while those of the Germans must have been very -heavy indeed. -</p> - -<p> -It has been stated that to the north of the Twelfth -Division, covering Bouzincourt and partly occupying -Aveluy Wood, was the Forty-seventh Division -(Gorringe), which had been drawn out of the line, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P207"></a>207}</span> -much exhausted by its prolonged efforts, some days -before, but was now brought back into the battle. -It stood with the 15th and 20th London of the -140th Brigade on the right, while the 23rd and -24th of the 142nd Brigade were on the left. Units -were depleted and the men very weary, but they -rose to the crisis, and their efforts were essential -at a time of such stress, for it was felt that this was -probably the last convulsive heave of the dying -German offensive. It was on April 5 that the German -attack from the direction of Albert spread to the -front of the Forty-seventh Division. The bombardment -about 8 A.M. reached a terrific pitch of intensity -and was followed by an infantry advance through -clouds of gas and smoke. The main attack fell upon -the left of the divisional line, and was met by a -sustained rifle, Lewis gun, and artillery fire, which -could not be faced by the stormers. At one time -the left of the 23rd London was penetrated, but a -rally re-established the position. The enemy were -rushing forward in mass formations, and their -desperate tactics offered targets which ensured very -heavy losses. -</p> - -<p> -About 9 o'clock the right brigade was also -involved in the fighting, the enemy advancing in -force towards Aveluy Wood. Here also the assault -was very desperate and the defence equally determined. -The 15th (Civil Service Rifles) was heavily -attacked, and shortly afterwards the Blackheath -and Woolwich men of the 20th Battalion saw the -enemy in great numbers upon their front. The -whole line of the division was now strongly engaged. -About 10 A.M. a company of the 24th London was -driven from its position by concentrated rifle-grenade -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P208"></a>208}</span> -fire, but a support company sprang to the front and -the line was unbroken. At 10.30, however, things -took a grave turn, for a sudden rush brought the -assailants into the line between the two left flank -battalions, outflanking and destroying the outlying -company of the 23rd London. These men fought -bravely to the end and took heavy toll of the enemy. -At the same time the 20th London came under a -shattering shell-fire which put every Lewis gun out -of action. It was also enfiladed by machine-guns -from the corner of Aveluy Wood, where the Germans -had penetrated the line. The 20th threw out a -defensive flank and held on. The 15th on their -right were still in their original positions. -</p> - -<p> -At 11.40 the 23rd London, which had suffered from -the German penetration of its left company, was -exposed all along its line to machine-gun fire from its -left rear, where the enemy had established three posts. -The result was that the position in Aveluy Wood had -to be abandoned. The 22nd London from the reserve -brigade was now pushed up into the firing-line where -the pressure was very great. The weight of the attack -was now mainly upon the 20th, who held their posts -with grim determination in spite of very heavy losses, -chiefly from trench mortars and heavy machine-guns. -It was a bitter ordeal, but the enemy was never able -to get nearer than 300 yards to the line of the 20th, -and if they caused heavy losses they endured as much -from the British fire. About 12.40 the enemy seemed -to be mustering at the south end of the wood for a -grand final attack, but the gathering was dispersed -by the machine-guns of the Londoners. -</p> - -<p> -At four in the afternoon, after a truly terrible day, -the Forty-seventh Division determined to counter-attack, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P209"></a>209}</span> -and the 22nd Battalion was used for this -purpose. They had already endured heavy losses -and had not sufficient weight for the purpose, -though eight officers and many men had fallen before -they were forced to recognise their own inability. -The failure of this attack led to a further contraction -of the line of defence. The Sixty-third Division on -the left had endured a similar day of hard hammering, -and it was now very exhausted and holding its line -with difficulty. For a time there was a dangerous -gap, but the exhausted Germans did not exploit their -success, and reserves were hurried up from the -Marines on the one side and from the 142nd Brigade -on the other to fill the vacant position. -</p> - -<p> -When night fell after this day of incessant and -desperate fighting the line was unbroken, but it had -receded in the area of Aveluy Wood and was bent -and twisted along the whole front. General Gorringe, -with true British tenacity, determined that it should -be re-established next morning if his reserves could -possibly do it. Only one battalion, however, was -available, the pioneer 4th Welsh Fusiliers, who had -already done conspicuous service more than once -during the retreat. An official document referring -to this attack states that "no troops could have -deployed better or advanced more steadily under -such intense fire, and the leadership of the officers -could not have been excelled." The casualties, -however, were so heavy from the blasts of machine-gun -fire that the front of the advance was continually -blown away and no progress could be made. Two -platoons upon the left made some permanent gain -of ground, but as a whole this very gallant -counter-attack was unavailing. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P210"></a>210}</span> -</p> - -<p> -This attack near Albert on April 4 and 5 was the -main German effort, but it synchronised with several -other considerable attacks at different points of the -line. One was just north of Warfusee in the southern -sector, where once again the Australians were heavily -engaged and prevented what at one time seemed -likely to be a local break-through. As it was the -line came back from Warfusee to Vaire, where the -Australian supports held it fast. Farther north the -Fourth Australian Division was sharply attacked -opposite Denancourt, and had a very brisk fight in -which the 13th Brigade, and more particularly the -52nd Regiment, greatly distinguished itself. The -object of the fight was to hold the railway line and -the position of the Ancre. The tenacity of the -Australian infantry in the face of incessant attacks -was most admirable, and their artillery, ranging upon -the enemy at 1500 yards, as they came over the higher -ground behind Denancourt, inflicted very heavy -losses. One gun fired 1250 rounds without a stop. -</p> - -<p> -The village of Hangard and Hangard Wood were -at that time the points of junction between the French -and British armies. The extreme right unit of the -British was Smith's 5th Brigade of the Second -Australian Division (Rosenthal). The 20th Battalion -on the southern flank was involved on this and the -following days in a very severe and fluctuating fight -in which Hangard Wood was taken and lost several -times. Colonel Bennett, an Australian veteran -whose imperial services go back as far as the Suakin -expedition, had to cover 3500 yards with 600 men, -knowing well that there were no reserves behind him -and that the point was vital. With heavy losses he -managed, with the 19th Battalion beside him, to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P211"></a>211}</span> -dam the German flood until help could arrive. So -fierce was the fighting that 750 dead Germans were -picked up in the Hangard Wood. On April 7 the -wood was abandoned, but under no compulsion and -in accordance with the general movement of the line. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -April 5 and 6. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -About 10 A.M. on April 6 the enemy renewed his -attack upon the junction between the Forty-seventh -and Sixty-third Divisions, but it was the British turn -to mow down advancing lines with machine-gun fire. -No progress was made, and there were such signs of -German weakening that the British made a sudden -local advance, capturing two machine-guns and some -prisoners. In this affair it is characteristic of the -spirit which still remained in the weary British troops, -that Corporal March of the 24th London went forward -and shot the opposing German officer, bringing back -his maps and papers. -</p> - -<p> -The German commanders were well aware that if -the line was to be broken it must be soon, and all these -operations were in the hope of finding a fatal flaw. -Hence it was that the attacks which began and failed -upon April 4 extended all along the northern line on -April 5. Thus the New Zealand Division on the -left of the points already mentioned was involved -in the fighting, the right brigade, consisting of the -New Zealand Rifle Brigade, being fiercely attacked -by some 2000 storm troops who advanced with great -hardihood, and at the second attempt recaptured -the farm of La Signy. The German officers seem -upon this occasion to have given an example to their -men which has often been conspicuously lacking. -"A tall Wurtemburger," says the New Zealand -recorder, "ran towards our line with nine of his men. -In one hand he carried a cane and over his arm a -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P212"></a>212}</span> -light waterproof coat. He was a fine big fellow -over six feet high.... Just at the critical moment -some Lewis-gunners took a hand in the business, -the officer was shot dead, and most of the others were -killed or wounded." -</p> - -<p> -On the left of the New Zealanders the attack was -extended to the road between Ayette and Bucquoy. -Here a brigade of the Thirty-seventh Division in the -south and of the Forty-second in the north were -heavily attacked and Bucquoy was taken, but before -the evening the defenders returned and most of the -lost ground was regained. The right of the -Thirty-seventh Division had advanced in the morning upon -Rossignol Wood, that old bone of contention, and -had in a long day's struggle got possession of most -of it. Three machine-guns and 130 men were the -spoils. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -April 21, 22. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -From this time onwards there were no very notable -events for some weeks in the Somme line, save for -some sharp fighting in the Aveluy Wood sector on -April 21 and 22, in which the Seventeenth, Thirty-fifth, -and Thirty-eighth Divisions were all involved. -The enemy tried hard to improve his position and -did succeed in gaining some ground. The attacks -were costly to both sides but the results were futile. -The British outposts, and particularly those of the -Australians, maintained an aggressive attitude -throughout, and it was more and more impressed -upon the German mind that in spite of his considerable -advance and large captures, it was an unbeaten -army which lay before him. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -April 24. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of April 24 a very determined -attack was made by the Germans upon the front of -Butler's Third Corps in the area of Villers-Bretonneux. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P213"></a>213}</span> -This small town is of great importance, as it stands -on a curve of the rolling downs from which a very -commanding view of Amiens is obtained, the cathedral -especially standing out with great clearness. Already -the city had suffered great damage, but the permanent -loss of Villers-Bretonneux would mean its certain -destruction. The attack was urged by four German -divisions and was supported by tanks which did good -service to the enemy and broke in the British line, -held mainly at this point by Heneker's Eighth -Division which had hardly recovered from its heroic -services upon the Somme. -</p> - -<p> -It is suggestive of the value of the tanks whether -in German or in British hands that where the attack -was unsupported by these machines it broke down -under the British fire, as on the right of Cator's -Fifty-eighth Division to the south and on the left of -the Eighth Division. There were fifteen German -tanks in all, so their array was a formidable one, the -more so in a mist which was impenetrable at fifty -yards. It was for the British now to experience -the thrill of helpless horror which these things can -cause even in brave hearts when they loom up out -of the haze in all their hideous power. The 2/4th -Londons on the south of the village were driven back -to the line Cachy-Hangard Wood, so that their -neighbours of the 2/2nd London had to conform. -The 2/10th London counter-attacked at once, however, -and penetrated Hangard Wood, doing something to -ease the situation. The 2nd Middlesex and 2nd West -Yorks were overrun by the tanks, much as the Roman -legionaries were by the elephants of Pyrrhus, and even -the historical and self-immolating stab in the belly -was useless against these monsters. The 2nd Rifle -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P214"></a>214}</span> -Brigade were also dislodged from their position and -had to close up on the 2nd Berkshires on their left. -The 2nd East Lancashires had also to fall back, but -coming in touch with a section of the 20th Battery -of divisional artillery they were able to rally and hold -their ground all day with the backing of the guns. -</p> - -<p> -The 2nd Devons in reserve upon the right were -also attacked by tanks, the first of which appeared -suddenly before Battalion Headquarters and blew -away the parapet. Others attacked the battalion, -which was forced to move into the Bois d'Aquenne. -There chanced to be three heavy British tanks in this -quarter, and they were at once ordered forward to -restore the situation. Seven light whippet tanks -were also given to the Fifty-eighth Division. These -tanks then engaged the enemy's fleet, and though -two of the heavier and four of the light were put out -of action they silenced the Germans and drove them -back. With these powerful allies the infantry began -to move forward again, and the 1st Sherwood Foresters -carried out a particularly valuable advance. -</p> - -<p> -Shortly after noon the 173rd Brigade of the -Fifty-eighth Division saw the Germans massing -behind tanks about 500 yards east of Cachy, with a -view to attacking. There were three whippets still -available, and they rushed out and did great work, -catching two German battalions as they deployed. -</p> - -<p> -The Fifty-eighth had good neighbours upon their -right in the shape of the Moroccan corps, a unit -which is second to none in the French Army for -attack. These were not engaged, but under the -orders of General Debeney they closed up on the left -so as to shorten the front of General Cator's division, -a great assistance with ranks so depleted. His -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P215"></a>215}</span> -troops were largely lads of eighteen sent out to fill -the gaps made in the great battle, but nothing could -exceed their spirit, though their endurance was not -equal to their courage. -</p> - -<p> -On the evening of April 24 General Butler could -say with Desaix, "The battle is lost. There is time -to win another one." The Germans not only held -Villers-Bretonneux, but they had taken Hangard from -the French, and held all but the western edge of -Hangard Wood. The farthest western point ever -reached by the Germans on the Somme was on this -day when they occupied for a time the Bois l'Abbé, -from which they were driven in the afternoon by -the 1st Sherwoods and 2nd West Yorks. They -had not attained Cachy, which was their final -objective, but none the less it was very necessary -that Villers-Bretonneux and the ground around -it should be regained instantly before the Germans -took root. -</p> - -<p> -For this purpose a night attack was planned on -the evening of April 24, and was carried out with -great success. The operation was important in itself, -but even more so as the first sign of the turn of the -tide which had run so long from east to west, and -was soon to return with such resistless force from -west to east. -</p> - -<p> -For the purposes of the attack the fresh 13th -Australian Brigade (Glasgow) was placed under the -General of the Eighth Division, and was ordered to -attack to the south of Villers, while the 15th Australian -Brigade made a similar advance upon the north. -Each of these was directed to pass beyond the little -town, which was to be cleared by an independent -force. On the right of the Australians was the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P216"></a>216}</span> -balance of the Eighth Division, which had to clear -up the Bois d'Aquenne. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-217"></a> -<br /> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-217.jpg" alt="Rough Sketch of the General Position of Troops at the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, April 24-25" /> -<br /> -Rough Sketch of the General Position of Troops at the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, April 24-25 -</p> - -<p> -The attack was carried out at 10 P.M., the infantry -having white arm-bands for identification in the -darkness. There was no artillery preparation, and -the advance was across unknown country, so that -it may be placed among the most hazardous operations -in the war. In the case of the 13th Australian -Brigade, the 52nd Battalion was on the right in -touch with the British, while the 51st was on the -left, with the 50th in support. From the onset -the machine-gun fire was very severe, especially -against the 51st Regiment, but the admirable -individuality of the Australian soldiers was of great -service to them, every man getting forward through -the darkness as best he could. The weather was -ideal, for there was sufficient moon to give direction, -but not enough to expose the troops to distant fire. -The German flares were rather a help to the attack -by defining the position. The Australian front got as -far forward as Monument Wood, level with the village, -but the 173rd Brigade on their right was in some -difficulty, and they themselves were badly enfiladed -from the town, so they could not maintain their more -advanced position. The 2nd Northamptons, attached -to the 13th Australian Brigade, had been told off -to take the town itself, but both their colonel and -their adjutant were killed during the assembly, and -some confusion of orders caused the plans to miscarry. -On the north of the town the 15th Australian Brigade, -with the 22nd Durhams attached, had been an hour -late in starting, but the 60th and 59th Regiments -got up, after some confused fighting, to a point north -of the town, which was entered after dawn and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P218"></a>218}</span> -cleared up by the 2nd Berkshires, aided by a company -of the Australian 58th Battalion. -</p> - -<p> -The German tanks had done good work in the -attack, and some of the British tanks were very -useful in the counter-attacks, especially three which -operated in the Bois d'Aquenne and broke down the -obstinate German resistance in front of the Eighth -Division. Daylight on April 25 found the British and -Australian lines well up to the village on both sides, and -a good deal of hard fighting, in which the troops got -considerably mixed, took place. One unusual incident -occurred as two blindfolded Germans under a flag -of truce appeared in the British line, and were brought -to Colonel Whitham of the 52nd Australian Regiment. -They carried a note which ran: "My Commanding -Officer has sent me to tell you that you are -confronted by superior forces and surrounded on three -sides. He desires to know whether you will surrender -and avoid loss of life. If you do not he will blow -you to pieces by turning his heavy artillery on to -your trenches." No answer was returned to this -barefaced bluff, but the messengers were detained, -as there was considerable doubt as to the efficiency -of the bandages which covered their eyes. -</p> - -<p> -By 4 P.M. on April 25 the village had been -cleared, and the troops were approximately in the -old front line. The 22nd Durham Light Infantry had -mopped up the south side of the village. About a -thousand prisoners had been secured. The 54th -Brigade of Lee's Eighteenth Division, which had been -in support, joined in the fighting during the day, and -helped to push the line forward, winning their way -almost to their final objective south of the village and -then having to yield 200 yards to a counter-attack. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P219"></a>219}</span> -The fast whippet tanks were used during this action, -and justified themselves well, though, as in the case -of all tanks, the value of the instrument depends -mainly upon the courage of the crew who handle it. -One British tank, under the command of a leader -named Craig, seems to have been all over the field -wherever it was most needed, so that some weeks -after the fight the present chronicler in visiting the -field of battle still heard the legend of his prowess. -As to the German resistance a skilled observer -remarks: "The enemy handled his machine-guns -with great boldness. The manner in which he pushes -forward numbers of guns, relying upon the daring -and initiative of the crews to use them to best -advantage, may lead to a greater number being lost, -but he certainly inflicts enormous casualties in this -way." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -April 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -There was an aftermath of the battle on April 26 -which led to some very barren and sanguinary fighting -in which the losses were mainly incurred by our -gallant Allies upon the right. There was a position -called The Monument, immediately south of Villers, -which had not yet been made good. The Moroccan -Division had been slipped in on the British right, -and their task was to assault the German line from -this point to the north edge of Hangard Wood. Part -of the Fifty-eighth Division was to attack the wood -itself, while on the left the Eighth Division was to -complete the clearance of Villers and to join up with -the left of the Moroccans. The Eighth Division -had already broken up three strong counter-attacks -on the evening of April 25, and by the morning of -April 26 their part of the programme was complete. -The only six tanks available were given to the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P220"></a>220}</span> -Moroccans. At 5.15 on the morning of April 26 -the attack opened. It progressed well near the town, -but on the right the Foreign Legion, the very cream -of the fighting men of the French Army, were held -by the murderous fire from the north edge of Hangard -Wood. The 10th Essex and 7th West Kents, who -had been lent to the Fifty-eighth Division by the -53rd Brigade, were held by the same fire, and were -all mixed up with the adventurers of the Legion, the -losses of both battalions, especially the West Kents, -being terribly heavy. The Moroccan Tirailleurs in -the centre were driven back by a German -counter-attack, but were reinforced and came on again. -Hangard village, however, held up the flank of the -French. In the evening about half the wood was -in the hands of the Allies, but it was an inconclusive -and very expensive day. -</p> - -<p> -The battle of Villers-Bretonneux was a very -important engagement, as it clearly defined the <i>ne -plus ultra</i> of the German advance in the Somme -valley, and marked a stable equilibrium which was -soon to turn into an eastward movement. It was -in itself a most interesting fight, as the numbers were -not very unequal. The Germans had five divisions -engaged, the Fourth Guards, Two hundred and -twenty-eighth, Two hundred and forty-third, -Seventy-seventh Reserve, and Two hundred and eighth. -The British had the Eighth, Fifty-eighth, Eighteenth, -and Fifth Australian, all of them very worn, but the -Germans may also have been below strength. The -tanks were equally divided. The result was not a -decided success for any one, since the line ended -much as it had begun, but it showed the Germans -that, putting out all their effort, they could get no -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P221"></a>221}</span> -farther. How desperate was the fight may be judged -by the losses which, apart from the Australians, -amounted to more than 9000 men in the three British -divisions, the Fifty-eighth and Eighth being the chief -sufferers. -</p> - -<p> -As this was the first occasion upon which the -Germans seem to have brought their tanks into the -line of battle, some remarks as to the progress of this -British innovation may not be out of place—the more -so as it became more and more one of the deciding -factors in the war. On this particular date the -German tanks were found to be slow and cumbrous, -but were heavily armed and seemed to possess novel -features, as one of them advanced in the original -attack upon April 24 squirting out jets of lachrymatory -gas on each side. The result of the fighting -next day was that two weak (female) British tanks -were knocked out by the Germans while one German -tank was destroyed and three scattered by a male -British tank. The swift British whippet tanks were -used for the first time upon April 24, and seem to -have acted much like Boadicea's chariots, cutting a -swathe in the enemy ranks and returning crimson -with blood. -</p> - -<p> -Treating the subject more generally, it may be -said that the limited success attained by tanks in -the shell-pocked ground of the Somme and the mud -of Flanders had caused the Germans and also some -of our own high authorities to underrate their -power and their possibilities of development. All this -was suddenly changed by the battle of Cambrai, when -the Germans were terrified at the easy conquest of -the Hindenburg Line. They then began to build. It -may be said, however, that they never really gauged -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P222"></a>222}</span> -the value of the idea, being obsessed by the thought -that no good military thing could come out of -England. Thus when in the great final advance the -tanks began to play an absolutely vital part they -paid the usual price of blindness and arrogance, -finding a weapon turned upon them for which they -had no adequate shield. If any particular set of -men can be said more than another to have ruined -the German Empire and changed the history of the -world, it is those who perfected the tank in England, -and also those at the German headquarters who lacked -the imagination to see its possibilities. So terrified -were the Germans of tanks at the end of the war -that their whole artillery was directed to knocking -them out, to the very great relief of the long-suffering -infantry. -</p> - -<p> -From this time onwards this front was the scene -of continuous aggressive action on the part of the -Australians, which gradually nibbled away portions -of the German line, until the day came for the grand -advance of August 8. One of the most successful of -these was on May 19, when the village of Ville-sur-Ancre -was taken by a sudden assault with 20 machine-guns -and 360 prisoners. A second very sharp fight, -which may be mentioned here, though it is just beyond -the scope of this volume, was on July 1 and following -days in the Aveluy sector, near the Ancre, where -the Twelfth and Eighteenth Divisions had three bouts -of attack and counter-attack, in which the 37th and -54th Brigades were heavily engaged, the honours of -the action being about equally divided between the -British and the Germans. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap09"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P223"></a>223}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER IX -<br /><br /> -THE BATTLE OF THE LYS -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -April 9-12 -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -The Flanders front—Great German onslaught—Disaster of the -Portuguese—Splendid stand at Givenchy of the Fifty-fifth -Division—Hard fight of the Fortieth Division—Loss of the -Lys—Desperate resistance of the Fiftieth Division—Thirty-fourth -Division is drawn into the Battle—Attack in the north upon the -Ninth, Nineteenth, and Twenty-fifth Divisions—British -retreat—General survey of the situation. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Nearly a hundred German divisions had been -used against the British alone in the great -offensive which began on March 21 and ended in -the first week of April. At this time the British -forces in France, including Portuguese and Overseas -divisions, numbered sixty in all. Of these no less -than forty-four had been engaged in the great battle, -and all of these were either still in the line, tied to -the Amiens front, or else had been drawn out in a -shattered and disorganised condition, having lost on -an average not less than from 4000 to 5000 men each. -It will be seen that there was only a very small -margin over, and that if the Germans by a supreme -effort had burst the line and reached the estuary -of the Somme, it would have been possible to -have caused a great military disaster. Especially -would this have been the case if the northern flank -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P224"></a>224}</span> -of the British could have been driven in as well as -the southern, for then the mutilated and shaken -army would have been hurled in upon itself and -would have found itself crowded down upon a -sea-coast which would have given few facilities for -embarkation. In the hopes of a débacle in the south -the Germans had prepared out of their huge reserves -a considerable force in the north which would have -formed the second claw of their deadly embrace. -When the first claw missed its grip and could get no -farther it was determined that the other should at -least go forward and endeavour to reach the Channel -ports. Although the Somme estuary had not been -attained, none the less the Germans knew well that -three-quarters of the whole British force had been -engaged, and that most of it was not fit to take its -place in a renewed battle. Therefore they had -reason to hope for great results from their new offensive -in Flanders, and they entered upon it with a good -heart. -</p> - -<p> -The omens were certainly propitious, but there -were two factors which were in favour of the -British—factors which could not yet have been adequately -appreciated by the Germans. The first was the new -unity of command under General Foch, a soldier -famous for his writings in peace and for his deeds in -war. This great leader, who had distinguished himself -again and again since the first month of the war, when -he had played a vital part in checking the German -rush for Paris, was selected with the cordial -consent of every one concerned, and especially of Sir -Douglas Haig, as Generalissimo of the Allied forces. -Therefore a common control and a common policy -were ensured, so that the German chiefs could not -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P225"></a>225}</span> -turn their whole force upon half of the Allies with the -assurance that the other half would find the operations -outside their war map. Hence the British in -Flanders, though they would have to fight their own -battle for a week or two, could count confidently upon -receiving help at the end of that time. -</p> - -<p> -The second and more immediate factor, was that -by a fine national effort a splendid stream of efficient -drafts had been despatched from England during the -great battle—young soldiers it is true, but full of -spirit and most eager to meet the Germans and to -emulate the great deeds of their elders. Their training -had been short, but it had been intense and practical, -with so excellent a result that one could but marvel -at the old pre-war pundits who insisted that no soldier -could be made under two years. These high-spirited -lads flocked into the depleted battalions, which had -often to be reformed from the beginning, with a -skeleton framework of officers and N.C.O.'s upon -which to build. It was of course impossible to -assimilate these drafts in the few days at the disposal -of the divisional generals, but at least they had -adequate numbers once more, and they must be taught -to be battle-worthy by being thrown into the battle, -as Spartan fathers have taught their boys to swim. -</p> - -<p> -One more sign of the times was the quick appreciation -by the American authorities of the desperate -nature of the crisis all along the Allied line. With -magnanimous public spirit they at once gave directions -that such American troops as were available and -had not yet been formed into special American -divisions should be placed under British or French -command and fitted temporarily into their organisation. -The few complete organised American divisions -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P226"></a>226}</span> -in France had been on the Alsace line, but some of -these were now brought round to thicken the French -army on the Oise. But most important of all was -the effect upon the shipment of American troops, -which had averaged about 50,000 a month and now -rose at a bound to 250,000, a number which was -sustained or increased for several months in succession. -This result was helped by the whole-hearted -co-operation of the British mercantile marine, which -was deflected from its other very pressing tasks, -including the feeding of the country, in order to carry -these troops, and actually handled about two-thirds -of them whilst the British Navy helped to find the -escorts. So efficiently were the transport -arrangements carried out both by British and Americans; -that when a million men had been conveyed they -were still able to announce that the losses upon -the voyage were practically nil. Even the lie-fed -bemused German public began to realise in the face -of this fact that their much boomed submarines were -only one more of their colossal failures. -</p> - -<p> -The German attack upon the British lines by -the army of General von Quast in Flanders broke -on the morning of April 9. There had been -considerable shelling on the day before along -the whole line, but as the hour approached this -concentrated with most extreme violence on the -nine-mile stretch from the village of Givenchy in the -south to Fleurbaix, which is just south of Armentières -in the north. This proved to be the area of the actual -attack, and against this front some eight German -divisions advanced about 6 o'clock of a misty -morning. So shattering had been their bombardment -and so active their wire-cutters, who were covered -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P227"></a>227}</span> -by the fog, that the advanced positions could hardly -be said to exist, and they were able to storm their -way at once into the main defences. -</p> - -<p> -The point upon which this attack fell was held the -by four divisions, all of which formed part of Horne's -First Army. The general distribution of the troops -at that time was that the Second Army stretched -from the junction with the Belgians near Houthulst -Forest down to the Messines district where it joined -the First Army. The First Army had weakened -itself by an extension to the south, and Plumer's -force was about to extend also, and take over the -Laventie district, when the storm suddenly burst upon -the very point which was to be changed. -</p> - -<p> -Two corps were involved in the attack, the -Fifteenth (De Lisle) in the Armentières region, and -the Eleventh (Haking) in the region of Givenchy. -The latter had two divisions in the line, Jeudwine's -Fifty-fifth West Lancashire Territorials defending -the village and adjacent lines, while the Portuguese -Second Division (Da Costa) covered the sector upon -their left. The depleted Fiftieth Division (Jackson) -was in immediate reserve. On the left of the -Portuguese was Ponsonby's Fortieth Division which -had lost five thousand men in the Somme battle -only a fortnight before, and now found itself plunged -once more into one of the fiercest engagements of the -war, where it was exposed again to very heavy losses. -</p> - -<p> -The main force of the German attack fell upon the -Portuguese line, and it was of such strength that no -blame can be attached to inexperienced troops who -gave way before so terrific a blow, which would have -been formidable to any soldiers in the world. The -division held the line from 2000 yards south of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P228"></a>228}</span> -Richebourg l'Avoué to the east of Picantin, a frontage -of 9350 yards, or more than half of the total front -of the assault. The division had all three brigades -in the line, and even so was very extended to meet a -serious assault. The 3rd Brigade from the First -Portuguese Division was in immediate support. -The 5th Brigade was on the right, covering Le Touret, -the 6th in the middle, and the 4th on the left, covering -Laventie. Behind the whole position lay the curve of -the River Lys, a sluggish stream which moves slowly -through this desolate plain, the Golgotha where so -many men have died, Indians, French, British, and -German, since the first months of the war. In all that -huge flat canalised space it was only at Givenchy that -some small ridge showed above the dreary expanse. -</p> - -<p> -The Portuguese had been in the line for some -months, but had never experienced anything to -approach the severity of the shattering bombardment -which poured upon them from four in the morning. -When an hour or two later the storming columns of the -German infantry loomed through the thick curtain -of mist, the survivors were in no condition to stand -such an attack. All telephone and telegraph wires -had been cut within the first half-hour, and it was -impossible to direct any protective barrage. The -artillery in the rear, both British and Portuguese, -had been much weakened by a concentration of -gas-shells extending as far as Merville, so that the -infantry were left with insufficient support. The -gunners stood to their work like men, and groups of -them continued to fire their guns after the infantry -had left them exposed. These brave men were -killed or captured by the enemy, and their batteries -were taken. In the rear the roads had been so -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P229"></a>229}</span> -shattered by the German fire that it was impossible -to get a tractor or lorry up to the heavy guns, and -there was no way of removing them. All observers -agree that the crews of the heavy guns did excellently -well. The whole front had fallen in, however, and -in spite of scattered groups of infantry who showed -the traditional Portuguese courage—that courage -which had caused the great Duke to place them -amongst his best soldiers—the position was in the -hands of the enemy. By mid-day they were at -Le Touret upon the right, and the guns there were -blown up and abandoned. About the same time -they had reached Estaires upon the left and Bout -Deville in the centre. Before evening the German -line was four miles from its starting-point, and had -reached the River Lawe, a small affluent of the Lys. -From this time onwards the Fiftieth Division, coming -up from the rear, had taken over the front, and the -Portuguese were out of the battle. The Germans -in their day's work had taken 6000 prisoners and 100 -guns, many of them in ruins. It should be mentioned -that the Portuguese ordeal was the more severe, as -breast-works had taken the place of trenches in this -sector. All were agreed that General da Costa did -what was possible. "He is a fine man, who does -not know what fear is," said a British officer who -was with him on the day of the battle. -</p> - -<p> -The caving in of the front of the line had a most -serious effect upon the two British divisions, the -Fifty-fifth and the Fortieth, who were respectively -upon the right and the left of the Portuguese. Each -was attacked in front, and each was turned upon the -flank and rear. We shall first consider the case of -the Fifty-fifth Division which defended the lines of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P230"></a>230}</span> -Givenchy with an energy and success which makes this -feat one of the outstanding incidents of the campaign. -This fine division of West Lancashire Territorials, -containing several battalions from Liverpool, had -some scores to settle with the Germans, by whom -they had been overrun in the surprise at Cambrai at -the end of the last November. At Givenchy they -had their glorious revenge. -</p> - -<p> -The position of the Fifty-fifth Division was a strong -one, extending for some thousands of yards from the -hamlet of Le Plantin in the south to Cailloux in the -north, with a section of the old British line a thousand -yards in front, a deserted trench half full of water -and festooned with rusty wire. There were outpost -companies along the scattered line of ruined houses, -and a few posts were thrown far out near the old -trench. The village line consisted of a series of -well-concealed breast-works and loopholed walls without -any continuous trench, the whole so cunningly -arranged that it was difficult to get the plan of it -from in front. Each post or small fort had its own -independent scheme of defence, with good enfilade fire, -concrete emplacements, belts of wire, and deep ditches. -</p> - -<p> -Very early in the day the left flank of the position -had been entirely exposed by the retirement of the -Portuguese, so that during the whole long and -desperate struggle the general formation of the division -was in the shape of an L, the shorter arm being their -proper front, and the longer one facing north and -holding up the German attack from inside the old -lines. The northern defensive flank does not seem -to have been entirely improvised, as some precautions -of this nature had already been taken. The new -front extended from the hamlet of Loisne upon the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P231"></a>231}</span> -stream of that name, through a second hamlet called -Le Plantin, and so down to the canal. The first -strain of the fighting fell chiefly upon the 165th -Brigade (Boyd-Moss), consisting of three battalions -of the famous King's Liverpool Regiment. The 6th -and 7th Battalions were in the line with the 5th in -support at Gorre, but as the day wore on and the -pressure increased, units from both the other brigades -were drawn into the fight, so that all participated in -the glory of the victory. By 8.30 the flank was -entirely naked, and the Germans in small but audacious -bodies, with a constant rattle of rifle and machine-gun -fire, were pushing in between the outer posts of -the British division, overwhelming and obliterating -some of them by a concentrated fire of trench mortars. -Some of these isolated garrisons held out in the most -desperate fashion, and helped to take the pressure off -the main village line. One particularly brilliant -example was that of Captain Armstrong of the 1/4th -South Lancashires, who with A Company of that -battalion defended a moated farm, literally to the -death, having been warned that it was a key position. -</p> - -<p> -About mid-day the German attack was still creeping -in, and had gained one important outpost called -Princes' Island. The 10th Liverpool Scots from the -166th Brigade, a battalion which has a great record -for the war, had come up to thicken the line of -defenders. Amid the crash and roar of constant -shells, and a storm of bullets which beat like hail -upon every wall and buzzed through every crevice, -the stubborn infantry endured their losses with stoic -patience, firing steadily through their shattered -loopholes at any mark they could see. At 1 o'clock -some audacious stormers had got so far forward on -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P232"></a>232}</span> -the left that they were in the rear of the Brigade -Headquarters, and were only held there by spare -men from the transport lines who chanced to be -available. The attack was drifting down more and -more from the new ground, so about this hour the -5th South Lancashires, also of the 166th Brigade, -were sent across to the north of Loisne to hold -the stream. Each flank was attempted in turn by -the wily assailants, so that when the left proved -impervious they charged in upon the right, and -captured Windy Corner, which is near the canal -upon that side, continuing their advance by attacking -Le Plantin South from the rear and the flank, so -that the defenders were in an impossible position. -Having taken this point it seemed as if the Germans -would roll up the whole long thin line from the end, -and they actually did so, as far as Le Plantin North. -Here the British rallied, and the survivors of the -6th and 7th King's made a furious advance, pushed -the Germans back, retook Le Plantin South, and -captured a number of prisoners. The position was -still serious, however, as the Germans held Windy -Corner, and had penetrated between the British -right and the canal, so as to get into the rear of -the position. A great effort was called for, and the -men responded like heroes. The 2/5th Lancashire -Fusiliers from the 164th Brigade (Stockwell) had come -up, and these fine soldiers, with the weary remains of -the two King's Liverpool battalions, rushed the whole -German position, dragging them out from the pockets -and ruins amid which they lurked. In this splendid -counter-attack more than 700 prisoners were taken -in all, with a number of machine-guns. At the end -of it the British right was absolutely intact. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P233"></a>233}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Whilst these stirring events had taken place on -the right flank, there had been heavy fighting also -on the left. Here the British defence had been -based upon two small but strong forts, called Cailloux -North and Route A Keep. The latter fell early in -the action, the German infantry coming upon it so -unexpectedly in the fog that the machine-guns were -at the moment mounted upon the parapet and -elevated for indirect fire. They were put out of -action, and the place was surrounded and taken. -This greatly weakened the left wing of the defence. -Farther still to the left the Germans were pushing -through Loisne, and the fort called Loisne Central -was heavily engaged. This portion of the line was -held by the 166th Brigade. Once the German wave -actually lapped over into the little fort, but the place -was not taken, and its machine-guns still clattered -and flashed. All day the Germans were held at this -point though the pressure was great. During the -night the 13th King's Liverpools from the 9th Brigade -were sent as a reserve to the weary line. At 7.40 -on the morning of April 10 the enemy, under cover -of a murderous barrage, attacked Loisne once more, -striving hard to break in the left of the British defence. -The garrison suffered terribly, but none the less the -stormers were shot back into their shell-holes and -lurking-places. Two successive attacks on the forts -of Cailloux and Festubert had no better success and -were less strongly urged. At seven in the evening -they again, with a sudden rush, got a footing in the -fort of Loisnes, and again were driven out, save for -twenty-one who remained as prisoners. Another -day had passed, and still Lancashire stood fast and -the lines were safe. On April 11 the whole position -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P234"></a>234}</span> -was swept by a heavy shell-storm, and the German -infantry clustered thickly in front of the crumbling -barricades. The guns both of the Fifty-fifth and -of the Eleventh Division played havoc with them -as they assembled, so that the attack was paralysed -on the right, but on the left the two little forts of -Festubert East and Cailloux were both overwhelmed. -The former, however, was at once retaken by a mixed -storming party from the 5th and 13th King's -Liverpools. Late in the evening Cailloux Keep was also -stormed, and once more the position was intact. -</p> - -<p> -There was now only Route A Keep in possession -of the enemy, and it was determined to regain it. -The guns had quickly registered upon it during the -day, and at midnight they all burst into a -concentrated bombardment which was followed by a rush -of two companies, one drawn from the Liverpool -Scots and the other from the 13th King's Liverpools. -The place was carried by assault, and the garrison -held it strongly on the 12th and 13th against a -series of attacks. It was a most murderous business, -and the brave little garrisons were sadly cut about, -but they held on with the utmost determination, -having vowed to die rather than give the fort up. -The survivors were still there, crouching among the -ruins and exposed to constant heavy shelling, when -on April 15 the old epic was ended and a new one -was begun by the relief of the Fifty-fifth Division by -Strickland's First Division. The episode will live in -history, and may match in tenacity and heroism the -famous defence of Ovillers by the German Guards. -The casualties were heavy, but it may be safely said -that they were small compared with those of the -attacking battalions. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P235"></a>235}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The story has been carried forward in this quarter -for the sake of connected narrative, but we must now -return to the events of April 9, and especially to -the effect produced upon the Fortieth Division -by the exposure of their southern flank. This fine -unit, with its terrible wounds only half healed, was -exposed all day to a desperate attack coming mainly -from the south, but involving the whole of their line -from Laventie to Armentières. The division, which -is predominantly English, but contains one brigade -of Highland troops, fought most valiantly through -the long and trying day, enduring heavy losses, and -only yielding ground in the evening, when they were -attacked in the rear as well as in front and flank. -</p> - -<p> -In the morning the Fortieth Division had the -119th Brigade (18th Welsh, 21st Middlesex, and -13th East Surrey) on the right, while the 121st -Brigade (20th Middlesex, 12th Suffolks, and 13th -Yorks) was on the left, joining up with Nicholson's -Thirty-fourth Division which held the Armentières -front. The right of the Fortieth was involved -in the heavy initial bombardment and also in the -subsequent infantry advance, which established a -footing in the front trenches of the 119th Brigade. -Whilst a counter-attack was being organised to drive -the stormers out, it was found that the right and the -rear of the position were threatened by the advance -through the Portuguese. The 120th Scottish Brigade -in reserve was ordered to form a defensive flank, but -the 10/11th Highland Light Infantry, the nearest -unit, found itself almost overlapped, and the brigade -had to fall back upon the bridges at Nouveau Monde -in order to protect the river crossings. The 2nd -Scots Fusiliers covered the bridge-head, while the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P236"></a>236}</span> -whole of the 119th Brigade fell back to the line of -the Lys, save only the garrison of Fleurbaix. The -121st Brigade was still holding its line in the Bois -Grenier sector. By 1 o'clock the bulk of the -Fortieth Division was across the Lys, the bridges -being destroyed one by one as the day advanced. -The destruction was not in all cases complete, and -in that of the Pont Levis at Estaires was absolutely -checked by a chance shell which destroyed the leads, -and prevented the explosion. The enemy, under -cover of machine-guns mounted in the houses of -Bac St. Maur, were able to cross the river here and -get a footing upon the northern bank. The 74th -Brigade from the Twenty-fifth Division and the -150th from the Fiftieth were coming up, however, -and it was still hoped that the German advance might -be checked. So severe had the fighting been that the -18th Welsh had only 5 officers and 120 men standing -in the evening. -</p> - -<p> -The 121st Brigade were in the meanwhile -endeavouring to hold the Fleurbaix defences on the -left of the line. At 11.30 A.M. the Germans were in -the east of the village, but the 12th Suffolks, who -formed the garrison, put up a most determined -resistance, in which they were aided by a company -of the 12th Yorkshires Pioneer Battalion. It was -not till 5.30 that the village was nearly enveloped, -and the troops had to make their way as best they -could to the north bank of the Lys. The 20th -Middlesex and 13th Yorkshires, with their flank badly -compromised, still held on to the Bois Grenier sector. -These battalions on the left were taken over by -the Thirty-fourth Division, with whom they were -now in close liaison. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P237"></a>237}</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of April 10 the two brigades -which had crossed the river were in very evil case, -having sustained heavy losses. They were concentrated -about Le Mortier. The 74th Brigade was in -position south of Croix du Bac in touch on the right -with the 150th Yorkshire Territorials. All day the -enemy were pushing west and north, but meeting a -strong resistance from the British who had an excellent -trench, the Steenwerck switch, to help them. Some -ground was lost, but much of it was regained in the -evening by a spirited counter-attack of the 14th and -10/11th Highland Light Infantry, the 2nd Scots -Fusiliers, and the 21st Middlesex, which advanced -over 600 yards. The pressure was great and -unceasing, however, so that the morning of April 11 -found the line farther back again. The two brigades -were reduced to about 1000 men, who were -concentrated at Strazeele, while the 92nd and 93rd -Brigades of the Thirty-first Division came up in their -place. A brave counter-attack by the 93rd Brigade -at Le Verrier gained its objective, but created a -dangerous gap between it and the 92nd Brigade on -its right, which was filled, however, by the 11th East -Yorkshires. On the 12th the remains of all three -brigades were strung out to cover Strazeele and -Hazebrouck from the east and south-east, but next -day they were relieved by the welcome appearance -of the First Australian Division, whose advent will -afterwards be explained. It had been a very desperate -term of service, in which for three days the sappers -of the 224th, 229th, and 231st Field Companies -Royal Engineers had to fight as hard as the infantry. -The Fortieth, like the other divisions described, were -driven back, but only as the buffer is driven back, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P238"></a>238}</span> -with the ultimate result of stopping the force which -drove it. They were much aided by the guns of the -Fifty-seventh Division under General Wray. The -losses of the division were 185 officers and 4307 other -ranks. When one reflects that the losses on the -Somme three weeks before had been equally heavy, -one can but marvel. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now follow the fortunes of the Thirty-fourth -Division (Nicholson), which was on the immediate -left of the Fortieth, covering a sector of -8000 yards, including the town of Armentières. On -the north, near Frelinghien, it joined the right -of the Twenty-fifth Division. On the night of -April 7 the enemy fired an enormous number, 30,000 -or 40,000, gas-shells into Armentières, and soaked it -to such an extent with mephitic vapours that it -became uninhabitable. Otherwise there was no -warning of an impending attack, which came indeed as a -surprise to all the forces engaged. -</p> - -<p> -On April 9 the division lay with the 103rd Brigade -upon the right section and the 102nd upon the left, -with the guns of the Thirty-eighth Division behind -them. The main attack on this day was entirely -upon the two divisions, the Portuguese and the -Fortieth, to the south. There was heavy shelling, -however, of the back areas, especially Armentières -and Erquinghem. When as the day advanced -everything on the right had given way or weakened, -the 103rd Brigade threw back a long thin defensive -line, facing south, which ended in the direction of -Fleurbaix. At the same time the reserve 101st -Brigade was ordered up to cover Bac St. Maur Bridge. -One battalion of the Reserve Brigade, the 11th -Suffolks, got into Fleurbaix, when by a happy chance -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P239"></a>239}</span> -they were able to reinforce their own comrades of -the 12th Battalion. These two sturdy East Anglian -units held the village in a very desperate fight for -many hours. The 15th and 16th Royal Scots of the the -same brigade had some hard fighting also as they -continued the defensive line formed by the 103rd -Brigade, and tried to prevent the victorious Germans -from swarming round and behind the Thirty-fourth -Division. Some idea of the danger may be gathered -from the fact that of two brigades of artillery engaged -one was firing south-west and the other due east. -The original front was never in danger, but it was a -desperate conflict upon the refused flank. -</p> - -<p> -During the afternoon the Germans crossed the -Lys at Sailly and Bac St. Maur, though the bridge -at the latter place had been destroyed. Their -progress, however, had slowed down and become -uncertain. The 74th Brigade of the Twenty-fifth -Division had come under the orders of General -Nicholson, and was at once directed against the -village of Croix du Bac, with the ultimate design of -recovering the Bac St. Maur crossing. The 74th -Brigade succeeded in clearing Croix du Bac of the -enemy, but night fell before they could get farther. -The morning found this brigade sandwiched in -between the Fortieth and Thirty-fourth Divisions, -while the 147th Brigade had also moved up in support. -It was soon found, however, that the enemy had got -so far west in the south that they outflanked the -74th Brigade, who had to retire on April 10 through -Croix du Bac and Steenwerck. On the same morning -the Twenty-fifth Division had been attacked near -Frelinghien, and the Germans penetrated as far as -the northern bend of the Lys, north of Armentières. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P240"></a>240}</span> -The left of the Thirty-fourth Division was now -entirely in the air. It was clear, therefore, that a -retirement north of the Lys was necessary, and about -3 P.M. in a sedate and orderly fashion it was started -and carried through, covered by the fire of the 147th -Brigade. The Thirty-fourth drew off in fine order, -the rearguards stopping from time to time, especially -in the streets of Armentières, for the purpose of -beating back the advancing German patrols. All -bridges were destroyed, and no unwounded prisoners -were left. The men of the Thirty-fourth were loud -in praise of the way in which the Yorkshire Territorials -of the 147th Brigade covered their right flank during -this difficult and dangerous extrication. We will -now, having traced the effects upon the Fifty-fifth -to the south, and upon the Fortieth and Thirty-fourth -Divisions to the north, return to the situation created -on April 9 by the breaking of the Portuguese. -</p> - -<p> -Jackson's Fiftieth Division, without its artillery, -had only arrived from the Somme on April 8, -having lost half its old soldiers, so that 50 per -cent of the personnel were drafts. It had also -suffered severely in officers, and was very battle-weary -and exhausted. It was placed in billets at -Merville, with two battalions of the 151st Brigade -holding redoubts at Lestrem south of the Lys close -to Estaires. -</p> - -<p> -As soon as it was seen that the situation was -serious, about 8 o'clock in the morning, the division -was put in motion. The 151st Brigade was ordered -to extend its left into Estaires, while the 150th -prolonged the line north of Estaires. The 149th -was held in reserve, though one of its battalions, -the 4th Northumberland Fusiliers, was sent in to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P241"></a>241}</span> -strengthen the right. The intention was that the -Fiftieth Division should hold the line until the reserves -could be brought to the point of danger. -</p> - -<p> -By two in the afternoon the Germans could be -seen all along the front, and some of the Portuguese -had made their way through and between the ranks. -A very heavy fire was opened by both lines of infantry, -and the Germans advancing by short rushes made -continuous progress towards the eastern bank of the -stream. Yorkshire and Durham stood solid upon -the farther side, however, and 5000 recruits endured -a long and terrible baptism of fire from the afternoon -to the evening of that spring day. It was on the right -at Lestrem, where the British were to the east of the -Lys, that the pressure was most severe, and eventually -the 151st Brigade found it impossible to hold this -point, while farther to the north, upon the left of -the Yorkshire men, the German infantry of the 370th -Regiment had won a footing upon the western bank -of the Lys at Sailly and Bac St. Maur. The British -guns were beginning to concentrate, however, and -invaluable time had been gained by the resistance -of the Fiftieth Division. As night fell the 5th -Durhams were still holding Estaires, while the 5th -and 6th Northumberland Fusiliers from the reserve -were standing firm along the stretch north and east -of Estaires. Farther north still were the 4th East -Yorks, 4th Yorks, and 5th Yorks in that order from -the south, all very weary, but all holding tenaciously -to their appointed line. During the night the -Fifty-first Highland Division (Carter-Campbell) came up -on the right of the 151st Brigade to cover the weak -point at Lestrem and all the line to the south of it. -A brigade of the Twenty-fifth Division also came up -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P242"></a>242}</span> -to Steenwerck north of where the river line had been -broken, but it was too late for an effective counter-attack, -as considerable forces were already across, -which were spreading out north and south on the -western bank. -</p> - -<p> -The fall of night made no change in the battle, -and the darkness was lit up by the red glare of the -incessant fire. For many hours the line was held, -though the Germans had brought up fresh divisions -for their attack. Early in the morning of April 10, -however, they won a footing in Estaires, which was -desperately defended by the 5th Durhams. By -8.45, after long-continued street fighting, the Germans -held the whole town, with the exception of the -south-western extremity. The fight raged all day -backwards and forwards through this little straggling -place, the infantry upon either side showing the most -determined valour. About 9.30 the 6th Northumberland -Fusiliers, under Colonel Temperley, made a -brilliant counter-attack, crossing 1500 yards of open -country with only three batteries to cover the -movement. Before 10 o'clock they were into Estaires -and had cleared the main street, rushing house after -house and driving the Germans down to the river -edge, where they rallied and remained. The 149th -Brigade had promptly sent forward its machine-guns, -and these were mounted on the highest houses at the -south end of the town, to fire on any enemy reserves -coming up south of the Lys. They raked the Germans -on the farther bank and caused heavy losses. All -day the remains of the 5th Durhams and 6th -Northumberlands fought desperately in Estaires, and -held nearly all of it in the evening, which was in a -way a misfortune, since it allowed the Germans to -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P243"></a>243}</span> -concentrate their heavies upon it during the night -in a whole-hearted fashion which rendered it absolutely -untenable. The morning of April 11 found -Estaires a No Man's Land between the lines of -infantry. In spite of a fresh advance by the 4th and -5th Northumberland Fusiliers, it was found impossible -to regain the place, while the Germans gradually -extended their line from the river crossings which -they had retained all through. By mid-day on -April 11, the British line was 500 yards west of the -town. -</p> - -<p> -In the southern portion of the line the 151st -Brigade of Durhams had been slowly forced back -from the Lestrem sector until they were on the line -of the Lys, which they reached in the evening of -April 10. At that date the 150th Yorkshire Brigade -was still firm upon the river, but the left-hand battalion, -the 5th Yorks, had thrown back its flank, since the -enemy, brushing aside the right wing of the Fortieth -Division, had crossed the stream and turned the -Fiftieth from the north. The Fortieth was still -fighting hard, as already described, and endeavouring -to hold back the attack, so that the German advance -was slow. Early in the morning of April 11 the -attack became very severe, and broke through to the -west of Estaires—the river at this point runs from -west to east—driving back the Durham Brigade, -which was absolutely exhausted after forty-eight -hours of ceaseless fighting without assistance. Their -resistance had been an extraordinarily fine one, but -there comes a limit to human powers. The whole -division was at the last extremity, but fortunately -at 12 o'clock on the 11th, two brigades of the -Twenty-ninth Division (Cayley) came up in relief. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P244"></a>244}</span> -So close was the fighting, however, and so desperate -the situation, that General Riddell of the 149th -Northumberland Fusiliers Brigade refused to -disengage his men from the battle, since the confusion -of a relief might have led to disaster. He was at the -time holding the line astride the Meteren Becque, -north of Estaires, covering about 1000 yards of vital -ground. Here the Germans attacked all day, making -prodigious efforts to push the 4th and 5th Northumberland -Fusiliers out of Trou Bayard. The ground -between this point and Pont Levis, the bridge at the -east end of Estaires, was dead flat, and afforded no -particle of cover. Fifteen British machine-guns -stationed beside the infantry swept all this expanse, -and cut down each wave of attack. Four times the -place was supposed to have fallen, and four times the -Germans fell back, leaving long grey swathes of their -dead. It was not until 3 P.M. that the stubborn -Northumbrians found that their right was completely -exposed, and were forced to retire from a position -which they had sold at a terrible price. -</p> - -<p> -Instead of dying down the German advance was -attaining a greater proportion with every day that -passed, for it seemed to their commanders that with -so favourable an opening some very great success lay -within their power. In spite of the arrival of the -Fifty-first and Twenty-ninth Divisions the battle -raged most furiously, and the weight of the attack -was more than the thin line could sustain. The -Germans had rapidly followed up the 151st Brigade -as it drew out, and there was a fierce action round -Merville and Robermetz in the early afternoon of -April 11. The exhausted Durhams turned furiously -upon their pursuers, and there was fierce hand-to-hand -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P245"></a>245}</span> -work in which even General Martin and his Headquarters -Staff found themselves handling rifles and -revolvers. The Thirty-first Division (Bridgford) had -come up and taken position in the rear of the Twenty-ninth, -with their left flank facing east to hold off -the enemy, who were now close to Steenwerck in the -north. By nightfall Merville had gone, and so had -Neuf Berquin, which lay between the 151st and the -149th Brigade, rather in the rear of the latter's right. -At this period the Twenty-ninth Division, with the -Thirty-first behind it, was on the left or north of the -149th Brigade, covering the ground between Neuf -Berquin and Steenwerck. The enemy had turned -the right of this line as already described, and now -through the events in the north, which will soon be -narrated, the left of the Twenty-ninth Division was -also turned, and the situation became most dangerous, -for the enemy was in great force in front. A -consultation was held by the various general officers -affected, and it was decided to make a side slip under -the cover of darkness to the line of Vierhouck-Meteren -Becque. The British had to fight, however, to gain -this position, so far had the enemy outflanked them, -and when the 149th Brigade, with their indomitable -Northumbrians, now reduced to a few hundred men, -had cut their way through to Vierhouck it was only -to find it empty and the British line about 1000 yards -to the west of it, where the 4th Guards Brigade of -the Thirty-first Division had just begun to arrive. -The Northumbrians held on to Vierhouck none the -less on the morning of April 12, and the Guards -Brigade came forward. -</p> - -<p> -Whilst this stern fighting had been in progress, -and while the Fifty-fifth kept its iron grip upon -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P246"></a>246}</span> -Givenchy and Festubert, the Fifty-first Highland -Division to its north, along the line of the Lawe Canal, -had been very hard pressed. All three brigades -had been engaged in most desperate defence and -counter-attack, the fighting being so close that two -at least of the Brigadiers had been compelled to drop -maps and binoculars, while they seized rifles from -their orderlies. The canal was half dry and offered a -poor front, but it was sustained until the Germans -got across in the north where the left flank of the -153rd Brigade was turned and had to fall back. -The Gordons and Black Watch of this unit fought -most fiercely in the neighbourhood of Vieille Chapelle, -and the Germans will long remember their meeting -with the clansmen. Finally their line swung back -west of Lestrem, keeping in touch with the right flank -of the Fiftieth Division. -</p> - -<p> -At this period the 184th Brigade was the only one -in the Highland Division which was still capable of -service, for the others had lost so heavily and were -so wearied that rest was absolutely necessary. The -Sixty-first Division (Colin Mackenzie), still very weak -after its service on the Somme, came up in the -Robecq sector, and, with the aid of the surviving -Highland Brigade, formed a barrier to the terrific -German pressure, the whole coming under General -Mackenzie. This line was held by these troops up -to the 23rd of April. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, to revert to the early days of the battle, -the German attack was raging with great fury upon -the centre and left of this line, and finding a gap -between the Twenty-ninth Division and the 149th -Brigade it poured through it with most menacing -results, but the 4th Guards Brigade counter-attacked -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P247"></a>247}</span> -and retrieved the situation west of the Vieux Berquin-Neuf -Berquin Road, as will be told in detail in the -next chapter. Farther north, however, the German -attack made more progress and rolled forward to the -south of the village of Merris. The 6th Northumbrians -with only two officers left standing—one of them their -gallant Colonel, Temperley,—still held on to their old -stance at Vierhouck, though reduced to the strength -of a company, and in such a state of physical -exhaustion that the men fell to the ground fast asleep -between the attacks. One young soldier woke up -during his nap to find the Germans among them, on -which he sprang up, shot the German officer, and -organised a charge which re-established the line. As -darkness fell on the evening of April 12 the survivors -of the Fiftieth Division were drawn from the line, -though some were so entangled with other units that -they stayed and shared in the severe fighting of -April 13. -</p> - -<p> -As already shown the Givenchy bastion was held -firm, which meant that the Fifty-first Division was -also to some extent helped to resist attack, since an -enfilade fire from the Fifty-fifth would beat upon -any advance against them. Such advances were -repeatedly made upon April 11 and were splendidly -countered. North of this point the Fiftieth, -Twenty-ninth, and Thirty-first Divisions had all suffered -heavily, while the line had been bent back in a curve -from the La Bassée Canal to a maximum depth of -ten miles, ending on the night of April 12 in a -position from west of Merville through the two -Berquins to Merris. The Twenty-ninth Division, -which is a particularly good comrade in a tight place, -had been very hard pressed, with its brigades sent -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P248"></a>248}</span> -hither and thither wherever a leak was to be stopped. -It was in this action that Colonel Forbes Robertson, -one of the heroes of Cambrai, earned the coveted Cross -by fighting on horseback at the head of his men like -some knight of old, and repeatedly restoring the line -when it was broken. In spite of all valour, however, -the general movement was westwards. Whilst these -misfortunes had occurred in the southern sector, -others not less serious had occurred in the north, -owing to the great extension of the German attack. -It is to these that we must now turn. -</p> - -<p> -The enemy had achieved a considerable success -upon April 9 when they succeeded in establishing -themselves across the Lys at Sailly and Bac St. Maur, -because by doing so they had got to the south-west -of Armentières. They had prepared another attack -in the north, and it was evident that if it had any -success the Armentières position would be impossible. -Early in the morning of April 10 the usual shattering -and pulverising bombardment which preceded a -full-dress German attack broke out upon the right of -the Second Army, involving the front from the -Ypres-Comines Canal in the north down to the Lys River -at Armentières, thus joining up with the battle of -yesterday, and turning the ten-mile front into one -of twenty. The chief points in this line are Hollebeke -in the north, Wytschaete in the centre, and Messines -in the south, with Ploegsteert Wood and village and -Nieppe as the final connecting links with Armentières. -It was all classic and sacred ground drenched with the -blood of our bravest. There can be few regiments -in the British Army which have not at one time or -another left their dead upon this shell-pitted slope, -or upon the levels which face it. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P249"></a>249}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The order of the Second Army from the north at -this time was Twenty-second, Eighth, Second, and -Ninth Corps. It was the Ninth Corps (Hamilton-Gordon) -which was now attacked. The order of -divisions upon this front was Campbell's Twenty-first -Division astride the Ypres-Menin Road, the Ninth -(Tudor) in the Hollebeke district, the Nineteenth -(Jeffreys) covering 6000 yards east of Messines and -Wytschaete from Ravine Wood in the north to the -Douve in the south, and finally the Twenty-fifth -Division (Bainbridge) on the right, which was -already in a most unfavourable position, as its right -flank was menaced by the driving in of the Fortieth -and threat to the Thirty-fourth on the preceding day, -while one of its brigades, the 74th, had been taken -away to cover Steenwerck from the German advance -at Bac St. Maur. It was upon these divisions, and, -in the first instance, upon the two southern ones -that the new German attack from the Fourth Army -of our old enemy General von Armin broke on -April 10. It should be remembered that, like so -many of their fellow-units, both of these divisions -had been very heavily engaged in the south, and -that their losses within the last two weeks had been -very great. Verily we have travelled far from the day -when it was laid down as an axiom that a corps which -had lost a quarter of its numbers would not stand to -its work until time had effaced the shock. -</p> - -<p> -Since the main assault on April 10 fell upon the -Nineteenth Division the story can be most plainly -told from their central point of view. The left of -their line was held by the 58th Brigade (Glasgow), -consisting of the 6th Welsh and 9th Welsh Fusiliers. -The right was held by the 57th Brigade (Cubitt) -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P250"></a>250}</span> -which contained the 10th Warwick, 8th Gloucester, -and 10th Worcesters. The 56th (Heath) was in -reserve. It was upon these troops that there fell -the strain of an attack which can seldom have been -exceeded in severity. The total German force on -the corps front was eleven divisions, and of these no -less than five were directed on the morning of April -10 upon the depleted ranks of General Jeffreys' unit. -</p> - -<p> -A very thick mist prevailed, and through this -protective screen the German infantry advanced about -6 o'clock, driving swiftly through all the forward -posts, and putting them out of action in exactly the -same fashion as on March 21. The enemy were in -great numbers, and their advance was swift and -resolute. Within half an hour of the first alarm -they had made a lodgment in the main position of the -57th Brigade, and had also broken in the face of the -left wing of the Twenty-fifth Division to the south. -The garrisons of the outlying posts were never seen -again, and it was observed that they were greatly -hampered by their camouflage screens which they -had no time to tear away in the face of so rapid and -overwhelming an attack. At 6.40 the enemy were -deep in the position of the 57th Brigade, especially -near Gapard Spur, which marked the centre of that -unit. At 7.30 the whole brigade was in difficulties, -which was more marked in the centre than on either -flank, but was serious at every point of the line. -The 8th North Staffords of the Reserve Brigade were -brought up at this hour to help in the defence of this -weakening sector. Before they could arrive upon the -scene the enemy had made such progress that he had -reached the crest of the ridge and had occupied the -village of Messines. The 68th Brigade in the north -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P251"></a>251}</span> -had not yet been attacked, but General Glasgow -seeing his right flank entirely exposed had thrown -back a defensive line. Close to this line was a post -named Pick House, and upon this the mixed elements -of the left of the 57th Brigade, chiefly men of the 10th -Warwicks, now rallied and formed a strong centre -of resistance. The Twenty-fifth Division to the -south had been also very hard pressed, and was in -immediate danger of losing the important knoll, -Hill 63, so that the reserve brigade of the Nineteenth -Division had to send the two remaining battalions, -the 4th Shropshires and 9th Cheshires, to strengthen -their defence. There was thus no longer any support -for the Nineteenth Divisional fighting line in their -great need, save for the 5th South Wales Borderers, -their pioneer battalion, and the 81st Field Company -R.E., both of whom were thrown into the battle, the -pioneers pushing bravely forward and connecting -up with the 10th Warwicks at Pick House. Meanwhile -the 8th North Staffords had made a fine attempt -to retake Messines, and had actually reached the -western edge of the village, but were unable to gain -a permanent footing. Their right was in touch with -the 8th Gloucesters, and some sort of stable line began -to build itself up before the Germans. They had -been unable to occupy Messines in force, owing to the -rifle-fire which became more deadly with the rising -of the mist. The scattered groups of infantry lying -upon the ridge on either side of Messines were greatly -heartened by the splendid work of A Battery, 88th -R.F.A., under Captain Dougall, which remained -among them, firing over open sights at the advancing -Germans. "So long as you stick it I will keep my -guns here!" he shouted, and the crouching men -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P252"></a>252}</span> -cheered him in return. He was as good as his word, -and only withdrew what was left of his battery, -man-handling it across almost impossible ground, when -he had not a shell in his limbers. This brave officer -received the Victoria Cross, but unhappily never -lived to wear it. -</p> - -<p> -The 8th North Staffords, still lying opposite -Messines, extended their left down the Messines-Wytschaete -Road in an endeavour to join up with the -men at Pick House. Thus a frail curtain of defence -was raised in this direction also. Shortly after -mid-day things began to look better, for the gallant -South African Brigade (Tanner) of the Ninth Division -was despatched to the rescue. So severe had been -its losses, however, that it numbered only 1600 -bayonets, and had hardly been re-organised into -battalions. Late in the afternoon it advanced, the -1st Battalion on the left, 2nd on the right, and though -it had not the weight to make any definite impression -upon the German front it entirely re-established the -line of the road from Messines to Wytschaete, and -reinforced the thin fragments of battalions who were -holding this precarious front. The South Africans -incurred heavy losses from machine-gun fire in this -very gallant attack. -</p> - -<p> -The Ninth Division had hardly relinquished its -Reserve Brigade when it found that it was itself -in urgent need of support, for about 2 o'clock on -August 10 the attack spread suddenly to the northern -end of the line, involving the 25th, 26th, and 58th -Brigades, all under General Tudor, who was now -responsible for the Wytschaete front. So infernal -was the barrage which preceded the attack, that the -right of the Ninth Division in the vicinity of Charity -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P253"></a>253}</span> -Farm was driven in, and the 58th Brigade, with both -flanks in the air and smothered under a rain of shells, -was compelled also to fall back upon its support line. -About 4 P.M. the 58th Brigade was broken near -Torreken Farm, and the 6th Wiltshires, who were the -flank battalion on the right, were cut off and lost -heavily. The enemy were driving hard at this period -towards Wytschaete, but the 9th Welsh stood fast -in a cutting to the south of the village, and held the -Germans off with their rifle-fire. So ended a most -trying and unfortunate day, where the overborne -troops had done all that men could do to hold their -ground, fighting often against five times their own -number. The prospects for the morrow looked very -black, and the only gleam of light came with the -advent, about midnight, of the 108th Brigade -(Griffiths) from the Ulster Division, with orders to -fight alongside the exhausted 57th, whose commander, -General Cubitt, was now directing the local operations -to the west of Messines. The Wytschaete front was -also strengthened by the inclusion in the Ninth -Division of the 62nd and later of the 64th Brigade -of the Twenty-first Division. Farther south the 75th -Brigade north of Armentières had been driven back -by the enemy's attack, and the 7th Brigade on -its left, finding its flank uncovered, had hinged -back upon Ploegsteert Wood, where it held its line -as best it might. Thus on the left, the centre, and -the right there had been the same story of unavailing -resistance and loss of valuable, dearly-bought ground. -Even more serious, however, than the local loss was -the strategical situation which had been created by -the German advance in the lower sector, by their -crossing the Lys, and by the fact that on the night of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P254"></a>254}</span> -April 10 they were closing in upon Steenwerck and -La Crêche far to the right rear of the defenders of the -Messines line. It was a situation which called for -the highest qualities of generals as of soldiers. -</p> - -<p> -By the morning of April 11 General Plumer, -dealing out his reserves grudgingly from his fast -diminishing supply, placed the 147th Brigade of the -Forty-ninth Yorkshire Territorial Division (Cameron) -behind the Twenty-fifth Division in the Ploegsteert -region, and a brigade of the Twenty-ninth Division -to the north of it. Such succours were small indeed -in the face of what was evidently a very great and -well-prepared attack which had already shaken the -whole northern front to its foundations. The Higher -Command had, however, some points of consolation. -If the vital sectors could be held there was the certainty -that strong reinforcements would arrive within a -few days from the south. The Amiens line was now -certainly stabilised, and if once again an equilibrium -could be secured then the last convulsive efforts of -this titanic angel of darkness would have been held. -With no illusions, but with a dour determination to -do or die, the British line faced to the east. -</p> - -<p> -The immediate danger was that a gap had opened -between Messines and Wytschaete, while another -was threatened farther south between Ploegsteert -and the Nieppe-Armentières Road. The pressure -upon the Damstrasse was also very great in the region -of the Ninth Division. The first disposition in the -Messines area was to strengthen the line of resistance -by pushing up the three battalions of the 108th -Brigade, the 1st Irish Fusiliers on the left near Pick -House, the 9th Irish Fusiliers west of Messines, and -the 12th Irish Rifles in the Wulverghem line. The -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P255"></a>255}</span> -attack on the morning of April 11 was not heavy -in this direction, but was rather directed against the -Twenty-fifth Division in the Ploegsteert district, -where it came ominously close to Hill 63, a commanding -point from which the Messines position of the -British would be taken in reverse. General Jeffreys -of the Nineteenth Division determined none the less -to stand his ground, but he threw out a defensive -flank along the Messines-Wulverghem Road, and -mounted machine-guns to hold any attack from the -south. Meanwhile the 57th, South African, and -108th Brigades, in spite of this menace to their right -rear continued to hold the Messines front. There -was severe fighting on this sector during the afternoon -in which the remains of the 2nd and 4th (Transvaal -Scots) Battalions were pushed back for some -distance, but counter-attacked under the lead of -Captain Green, regaining most of the ground that -they had lost, and connecting up with the 5th South -Wales Borderers, who were still holding fast near -Pick House. This line was maintained until the -general withdrawal. It was further strengthened by -the 146th Brigade, one of the three units of the -Forty-ninth Division, which were all engaged at -different points. One battalion, the 7th West -Yorkshires, called on suddenly to fill a gap, made a very -fine advance under heavy fire, and restored the situation. -It remained in the line until, on April 16, it -was almost annihilated by a terrific German attack -upon it. -</p> - -<p> -But the situation on the right rear was getting -worse and worse. In the evening it was definitely -known that Hill 63 had at last fallen after a long -and obstinate struggle. The Twenty-fifth, and later -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P256"></a>256}</span> -the Thirty-fourth Divisions had held up against great -odds, but the main force of the enemy was now -striking upon that line, and the British were forced -to withdraw from Le Bizet towards Nieppe. These -German gains enforced a completely new re-arrangement -of the forces in the north if they were to avoid -being taken in the rear. This change of a wide and -far-reaching character was quickly and safely effected -during the night of April 11 and 12. It involved -moving back the three northern corps into their -battle zones, leaving only outposts in advance. They -still covered Ypres, but the retirement meant that -all that had been won in the mud-and-blood struggle -of 1917 had passed into German keeping, and coupled -with the loss of Messines it seemed to threaten that -the old salient might be renewed in as disastrous a -fashion as ever. This retirement was rather in the -nature of a precaution against the possibilities of the -future. What was of most immediate importance -was the withdrawal of the lines which were at such -close grips with the enemy to the west of Messines. -By the morning of April 12 the general line of the -Nineteenth Corps was Steenwerck Station, -Pont-d'Achelles, Neuve Eglise, Wulverghem, Wytschaete. -No immediate German attack followed on the -withdrawal. This abstention on the part of the enemy -was due in part to the wonderful work done by a -small nest of four machine-guns on the -Messines-Wulverghem Road under the command of Lieutenant -Hodgson. This small unit had already fought for -forty-eight hours, but on this third day of the battle -their services were invaluable, for they shot down -hundreds of Germans as they endeavoured to debouch -from Messines and descend the slope. Save for two -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P257"></a>257}</span> -wounded men none of this band of heroes ever -returned. Among other detachments who behaved -with great heroism were a few men of the 5th -South Wales Borderers, B Company, under Captain -Evans, who maintained themselves at Pick House, -north and east of Messines, for three days, until they -were at last rescued by the 58th Brigade from the -north. -</p> - -<p> -Whilst these fresh dispositions and general -retrogressions had been made on this front the -Thirty-fourth Division to the south had also been compelled -to rearrange its positions. It has already been -described how, under cover of the 147th Brigade, -they withdrew in absolute order across the Lys. -April 11 saw such continued pressure, however on -the right of the Twenty-fifth and the whole of the -Thirty-fourth Divisions that it became clear early -in the afternoon of April 11 that further retirement -was imperative. This began at dusk, the three -brigades retiring by the Armentières-Bailleul Road, -while the 147th still acted as rearguard. They retired -through the 74th and 88th Brigades near Bailleul -Station, fighting back all the way and considerably -harassed by the German guns. On the morning of -the 12th the general line was Steam-mill-Bailleul -Station-southern border of La Crêche to a point -about 500 yards north-east of Pont d'Achelles on the -Bailleul Road. Along this line the order of battle -from the south was the 147th, 75th, 101st, 74th, -102nd, and 88th Brigades. Nieppe, which had been -evacuated, was occupied by the enemy later in -the day, and on the evening of April 12 the line -was pushed a little farther back to De Seule. -</p> - -<p> -There was no fighting on the new line opposite -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P258"></a>258}</span> -Messines on April 12, but the battle was, as has -been shown, raging furiously elsewhere, and the -situation in the south, where the enemy was making -progress, must deeply affect that in the north. Had -an aviator taken a swift flight from Hollebeke to -Givenchy on this day, following the deep curve -which had formed in the British line, his observations -would have been roughly as follows: in the Hollebeke -district he would have found no extreme pressure, -and that the Ninth Division, reinforced by the 58th -Brigade, was holding the line not far westward of -their original position. From there onwards he would -have skirted the new line of the Ninth Corps, as -already indicated, and would have seen the remains -of the Nineteenth Division covering the north of it, -the Twenty-fifth Division, also in fragments, about -Neuve Eglise, and the Thirty-fourth Division near -Steenwerck. He would next observe with consternation -or joy according to his colours, that there was a -considerable gap before Bailleul. At the other side -of this gap he would come upon elements of the -Thirty-first and Twenty-ninth Divisions, hard-pressed -and worried by the advance which the enemy -had made through Merville on their right. He -would catch a glimpse also of some thin lines of -resistance, still farther south, which represented all -that was left of the Fiftieth Division. Finally, he -would see the Fifty-first and the Fifty-fifth on the -extreme south, both of them standing firm in their -positions. Looking eastwards he would see pouring -across the Lys the legions of Prince Rupprecht of -Bavaria, hurrying to improve their blow, while behind -the British lines he would see new divisions, the -Fifty-ninth Midlanders at Wulverghem, the Thirty-third -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P259"></a>259}</span> -near Bailleul, the Sixty-first near Robecq, the -4th Guards Brigade followed by the First Australians -near Hazebrouck, all hastening with heavy hearts -but the most grim determination to throw themselves -across the path of this German invasion which already -threatened the most vital points in Flanders. Far -to the south also our aviator would perhaps have -seen the smoke of many trains, and out at sea might -have made out the little dots which marked in the -one case French, in the other British, reinforcements. -Such was the general panorama upon the Flanders -front on the evening of April 12. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap10"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P260"></a>260}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER X -<br /><br /> -THE BATTLE OF THE LYS -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -April 13-May 8 -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -Desperate situation—Sir Douglas Haig's "win or die" message—Epic -of the 4th Guards Brigade at Hazebrouck—Arrival of First -Australian Division—Splendid services -of Thirty-third Division—Loss -of Armentières, Bailleul, and Neuve Eglise—The First Division -at Givenchy—Fall of Kemmel—Battle of Ridge Wood—Great -loss of ground—Equilibrium. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -Up to April 13 twenty-eight German divisions had -been traced in the battle of Flanders. Since the -whole British Army consisted of sixty divisions, and -only thirteen had been engaged in Flanders, one can -gather how terrible had been their task. -</p> - -<p> -By the fourth day of the battle the purpose of -the enemy became more clear. It was evident now -that his attack consisted really of three movements. -The northern of these, consisting of about six divisions, -had for its task to drive through Wytschaete and -Messines to Bailleul. At present it was held up in -the north by the Ninth Division, but had made its -way in the south until Neuve Eglise was the only -village which intervened between it and Bailleul. -The central attack, consisting of the main force, had -taken Armentières and penetrated ten miles deep, -capturing Merville, reaching the Clarence River, -touching Robecq, and threatening St. Venant. This -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P261"></a>261}</span> -deep penetration reacted upon the British flanks to -north and south of it. Finally, there was an advance -by seven or eight divisions in the south, which had -been held at Givenchy, but had bent the line back the -from that point, Bethune being the immediate -objective. The hammering of the Germans was -remorseless and terrific. All that the British needed -was a little time, but it seemed as if it would be -denied them. Help was coming, but it did not arrive -so quickly as the new divisions which Von Armin -and Von Quast were pouring over the Messines Ridge -and across the plain of the Lys. -</p> - -<p> -The position was very menacing, as was shown -by an order of the day from the British -Commander-in-Chief which is unique perhaps in our military -annals—a stern call to duty and to death, pitched on -the very note which would arouse the historic tenacity -of the British soldier. Documents have been avoided -in this chronicle, but this one at least must be quoted -in full. It was addressed to all ranks of the British -Army under his command. -</p> - -<p> -"Three weeks ago to-day," said Sir Douglas Haig, -"the enemy began his terrific attacks against us on -a fifty-mile front. His objects are to separate us -from the French, to take the Channel ports, and -destroy the British Army. -</p> - -<p> -"In spite of throwing already 106 divisions into -the battle, and enduring the most reckless sacrifice -of human life, he has, as yet, made little progress -towards his goals. We owe this to the determined -fighting and self-sacrifice of our troops. -</p> - -<p> -"Words fail me to express the admiration which -I feel for the splendid resistance offered by all ranks -of our army under the most trying circumstances. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P262"></a>262}</span> -</p> - -<p> -"Many amongst us now are tired. To these I -would say that victory will belong to the side which -holds out the longest. -</p> - -<p> -"The French Army is moving rapidly and in -great force to our support. -</p> - -<p> -"There is no other course open to us but to fight -it out. Every position must be held to the last man: -there must be no retirement. With our backs to the -wall, and believing in the justice of our cause, each -one of us must fight to the end. -</p> - -<p> -"The safety of our homes and the freedom of -mankind depend alike upon the conduct of each one -of us at this critical moment." -</p> - -<p> -No words can describe the danger of the crisis -more clearly than this clear call from a leader -remarkable for his judgment and restraint, exhorting -his men to fight to the death with their faces to the -raging German line, and their backs to those -all-important harbours on which the fate of the world -was now depending. The German vanguard was -forty miles from Calais on the day that the appeal -was made, and there was no strong line to be forced, -save that strongest of all lines which was formed by -Sir Herbert Plumer and his men. -</p> - -<p> -A new unit had come into line on April 13. -This was the Thirty-third Division under General -Pinney. It was at once thrust in to fill the gap in -front of Bailleul, where it found itself involved from -that date onwards in most desperate fighting, in which -it was associated with the Thirty-first Division. The -narrative of the services and trials, both of them very -great, which were rendered and endured by these -divisions may be best told in consecutive form, as a -too strict adhesion to the order of dates produces an -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P263"></a>263}</span> -effect which makes it difficult to follow the actual -happenings. We shall first consider the operations -at Hazebrouck and Meteren, where these two divisions -and the First Australian Division were chiefly -concerned, and we shall afterwards return to the north -and follow the fortunes of the Nineteenth, Twenty-fifth, -Forty-ninth, Thirty-fourth, and other divisions -which were holding the northern curve. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Central Area. April 12. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The line was very weak on April 12 in front of central -Hazebrouck, and yet it was absolutely vital that this -important railway junction should not fall into -German hands. The need was pressing and desperate, -for the German attack was furious and unremitting, -while the British line was so thin, and composed of -such weary units, that it seemed impossible that it -could hold. The exhausted remains of the Fiftieth -Division, who had been at it continually ever -since the breaking of the Portuguese front, were -hardly capable now of covering or defending any -serious front. Yet if the ground could be held, the -First Australian Division, brought hurriedly back -from the Somme and in the act of detraining, -would be in the line within twenty-four hours. There -have been few moments more heavy with fate during -the whole of the campaign. Everything depended -for the moment upon Pinney's Thirty-third Division, -upon the worn remnants of the Twenty-ninth Division, -upon the 92nd and 93rd Brigades, and upon the -4th Guards Brigade of the Thirty-first Division -who were brought up from Pradelles, and thrown -hurriedly across the path of the advancing Germans. -</p> - -<p> -Of the Thirty-first Division the 92nd and 93rd -Brigades had already been heavily engaged on -April 11 as already recorded. The Guards Brigade -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P264"></a>264}</span> -had been delayed in its journey and was still fresh. -General Reedman of the 92nd Brigade was in local -command, and the situation was a particularly -difficult one. At all costs Hazebrouck must be -covered until reinforcements could arrive, for if -the line were cut there was no end to the possible -evils. When Merris fell General Reedman still held -the heights west of Merris with the 10th East -Yorkshires, while the 11th East Lancashires were to the -south, and the remnants of the 86th and 87th Brigades -of the Twenty-ninth Division held on to Vieux -Berquin. This line held until 5 P.M. on April 13 in -spite of very stormy attacks and very little help -from the guns. About that hour the right of the line -gave way under severe pressure, and Vieux Berquin -was taken, but the Germans were bottled up in it -and were unable to get forward. There they remained -until the great turn of the tide. We must now, -however, turn our gaze to the immediate south and -follow the phases of the wonderful stand made by the -remaining brigade of the Thirty-first Division, the -4th Guards Brigade, who found themselves involved -in a desperate battle in front of Hazebrouck. -</p> - -<p> -Without enumerating a number of obscure hamlets -which are rather confusing than helpful, it may be -said that the brigade under General Leslie Butler -covered the north of the main road from Merville to -Hazebrouck, with their right resting upon the Bourre, -a small sluggish stream. Vierhouck represented -roughly the centre of their line. It was a country of -flat cultivated fields, with many roads and watercourses -lined with willows, which cut the view. There -were untouched farms with their human and animal -on every side. To the west lay the great -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P265"></a>265}</span> -forest of Nieppe. On the right were the 3rd -Coldstream, on the left the 4th Grenadiers, with the -2nd Irish in close support. They were in position -on the morning of April 12, and at once found -the enemy in front of them, who after a strong -preliminary bombardment advanced in great -numbers along the whole line. The rifle-fire of the -Guardsmen was too deadly, however, and the attack -dissolved before it. The German machine-gunners -were exceedingly aggressive, "not to say impudent" -as a Guards officer explained it, and many losses were -sustained from their fashion of pushing forward -upon the flanks, and worming their way into every -unoccupied crevice. Nothing could exceed both -the gallantry and the intelligence of these men. -Having cleared their front the Guards endeavoured -to advance, but the Coldstream on the right met -with murderous fire from the village of Pures Becques, -and the movement could get no farther, nor were the -Grenadiers much more fortunate on the left, though -Captain Pryce with his company broke into some -outlying houses, killing a number of Germans, seven -of whom fell to that officer's own automatic. This -whole gallant episode occurred under the very muzzles -of a German battery, firing with open sights at a -range of 300 yards. -</p> - -<p> -At this period the brigade seems to have got ahead -of the general British line, and to have had both flanks -entirely exposed to every sort of enfilade fire. About -four in the afternoon the right company of the -Coldstream, numbering only forty men, had to turn -south to face the enemy. The Germans had thrust -into the centre of the Coldstream also, but No. 2 -Company of the supporting Irish, acting without -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P266"></a>266}</span> -orders upon the impulse of the moment, and aided -by the surviving Coldstream, completely re-established -the line. The Irish, who were led by Captain -Bambridge, were almost annihilated in their dashing -effort to ease the pressure upon their English -comrades. Their leader was wounded, Lieutenant Dent -was killed, and only eleven men of the company were -left standing. On the left the Germans were 500 -yards in the rear, and here a rearrangement was called -for and steadily carried out. An hour later another -violent attack was made at the junction of the two -battalions, but it also was driven back in disorder. -The Germans had brought their guns well forward -and into the open, but they met their match in -Lieutenant Lewis of the 152nd Brigade Royal Field -Artillery, who directed the scanty British artillery, -and handled his pieces in a way which was much -appreciated by the weary Guardsmen. -</p> - -<p> -The readjustment of the line enabled the 4th -Guards Brigade to link up with the 12th Yorkshire -Light Infantry, pioneer battalion of their own division, -which was holding the line at La Couronne, and -fought that day with the utmost tenacity and resolution. -On the left flank of the Yorkshiremen, near -Vieux Berquin, were the worn remains of the -Twenty-ninth Division. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P267"></a>267}</span> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-267"></a> -<br /> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-267.jpg" alt="Rough Sketch of Guards' Position, April 13" /> -<br /> -Rough Sketch of Guards' Position, April 13 -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -Night fell upon a sorely-tried but unconquered -line. The two front battalions had lost at least a -third of their effectives. Under the screen of darkness -the position was re-organised, and it was hoped that -the Fifth Division, drawn back from Italy, would be -able to effect a relief. This could not be fully -accomplished, however, and at best only a small contraction -of the front could be effected, so that the morning -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P268"></a>268}</span> -of April 13 found the exhausted Coldstream and -Grenadiers still facing the German attack. Their -line had been strengthened by the 210th Field Co. of -the Royal Engineers. The front to be held was -still very wide for so weakened a force. -</p> - -<p> -It had been a hard day, but it was only the prelude -of a harder one. On April 13 the morning began -with thick mist, of which the Germans took advantage -to rush their machine-guns to very close quarters. -At early dawn the Coldstream found themselves once -more heavily attacked, while an armoured car came -down the road and machine-gunned the outposts at -a range of ten yards. After severe mixed fighting -the attack was driven back. At 9.15 it was renewed -with greater strength, but again it made no progress. -It is typical of the truly desperate spirit of the men, -that when every man save one in an outpost had been -killed or wounded, the survivor, Private Jacotin of -the Coldstream, carried on the fight alone for twenty -minutes before he was blown to pieces with a grenade. -</p> - -<p> -The left flank of this battalion had also been heavily -attacked, the enemy, with their usual diabolical -ingenuity, shouting as they advanced through the fog -that they were the King's Company of the Grenadier -Guards. They were blown back none the less into -the mist from which they had emerged. The 12th -Yorkshire Light Infantry was also four separate times -attacked, but held to its appointed line. This gallant -unit fairly earned the title of the "Yorkshire Guards" -that day, for they were the peers of their comrades. -Meanwhile, however, outside the area of this grim -fight the Germans had taken Vieux Berquin, pushing -back the scanty line of defence at that point, so that -they were able to bring up trench-mortars and guns -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P269"></a>269}</span> -to blast the Yorkshire battalion at La Couronne out -of its shallow trenches. Captain Pryce, on the -extreme left of the Guards, found the Germans all round -him, and his Grenadiers were standing back to back -and firing east and west. The company was doomed, -and in spite of the gallant effort of a party of Irish -Guards, who lost very heavily in the venture, the -whole of them perished, save for Sergeant Weedon -and six men who reported the manner in which their -comrades had met their end. Captain Pryce had led -two bayonet charges, first with eighteen men, which -was entirely successful, and later with fourteen men, -who buried themselves in the grey of the German -ranks, and there remained. Such was the end of -No. 2 Company of the 4th Grenadiers, and of its -commander. This brave man received a posthumous -V.C. in the record of which it is stated that with forty -men he had held up a German battalion for ten hours -and so saved a break through. -</p> - -<p> -Apart from this flank company the centre company -of the Grenadiers at this period consisted of six -unwounded men, while the right company was twenty -strong. All the officers were down. They were -hemmed in on two sides by the enemy, but they were -still resisting as the shades of night fell upon them. -By dawn the Grenadier battalion had ceased to -exist. -</p> - -<p> -The 3rd Coldstream on the right were hardly in -better case. The right company was surrounded, -and fought until there was only a handful left. A few -survivors fell back upon the Fifth Division and the -Australians who were now well up to the line. The -orders to the Guards had been to keep the Germans -out until the Australians could arrive. They had -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P270"></a>270}</span> -been faithfully obeyed. The total casualties had been -39 officers and 1244 rank and file, the greater part -from two weak battalions; 17 per cent of the brigade -mustered after the action. Soldiers will appreciate -the last words of the official report which are: "No -stragglers were reported by the A.P.M." It is an -episode which needs no comment. Its grandeur lies -in the bare facts. Well might General de Lisle say: -"The history of the British Army can record nothing -finer than the story of the action of the 4th Guards -Brigade on April 12 and 13." -</p> - -<p> -Whilst the Guards had made their fine stand to -the east of Hazebrouck, the rest of the Thirty-first -Division, covering a front of 9000 yards, had -a most desperate battle with the German stormers. -The fine north country material which makes up -the 92nd and 93rd Brigades had never been more -highly tried, for they were little more than a long -line of skirmishers with an occasional post. In -some parts of the line they were absolutely -exterminated, but like their comrades of the Guards, they -managed somehow or other to retain the positions -and prevent a penetration until reinforcements -arrived. The remains of the Twenty-ninth Division -on the left had also fought with the utmost devotion -and held the line at the price of a heavy drain upon -their weakened ranks. It has been calculated that -the line held by the 31st Division upon these days -was 5½ miles long, and that it was attacked by the -35th and 42nd German divisions, the 1st Bavarian -Reserve, and 10th, 11th, and 81st Reserve divisions. -</p> - -<p> -It would be well to continue the action upon the -Hazebrouck front by giving at once an account of -the operations of the First Australian Division under -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P271"></a>271}</span> -General Sir Harold Walker, which had the -remarkable experience of being sent from Flanders -to the Amiens front, being engaged there, and now -being back in the Flanders front once more, all in -little over a week. They detrained on April -12, and on the 13th their 2nd Brigade (Heane) -found themselves in front of Hazebrouck with the -remains of the 92nd British Brigade on their left -and with the hard-pressed 4th Guards Brigade in -front of them. In the evening the remains of the -Guards were withdrawn through their line, and they -were facing the pursuing Germans. On their left the -Australians were in touch with the 1st Cameronians -of the 19th Brigade in the Meteren area. -</p> - -<p> -This fierce fighting was going on in a country which -was new to war, with unbroken soil, whole cottages, -and numerous refugees, who by their flight before -the German vanguard complicated a situation which -was already so chaotic that it was very difficult for -the generals on the spot to grasp the relative positions -of the attack and the defence. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Central Area. April 14 onward. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On April 14 the Germans, advancing behind a -deadly barrage, came forward through Merris and -Vieux Berquin. They soon found, however, that -they had before them fresh and steady troops who -were not to be driven. The immediate German -objective was the high ground from Mont de Merris -to Strazeele. The 2nd Australian Brigade was on -the right and the 1st (Leslie) on the left. Both -were equally attacked, and both met their assailants -with a shattering fire which piled the level plain with -their bodies. Three lines swept forward, but none -reached the shallow trenches of the "digger" -infantry. The 3rd and 4th Battalions held the line -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P272"></a>272}</span> -to the north where the pressure was greatest. The -One hundred and twenty-third French Division was -in support, but there was never any need to call for -their co-operation. Strazeele, however, was blown -to pieces by the German guns. -</p> - -<p> -April 15 and 16 were comparatively quiet, and -the Australians busily strengthened their lines. On -the 17th a sharp attack was made upon the 1st and -4th Battalions on the left and centre of the 1st -Australian Brigade, the advance coming up the valley -between Merris and Meter en. This also was cut to -pieces by rifle and gun-fire, so that it made no -progress whatever. -</p> - -<p> -The 3rd Australian Brigade (Bennett) had been -in reserve, but it was destined for severe service -after Meteren had passed out of the hands of the -Thirty-third Division in the manner elsewhere -described. They had actually relieved some of the -worn elements of the British Thirty-third and of the -French One hundred and thirty-third Divisions to -the west of Meteren, and on April 22 and 23 they -endeavoured by two separate movements upon either -flank to fight their way back into the little town. -The first operations carried out by the 11th and 12th -Battalions were successful, but the final push into the -town by the 9th and 10th met with heavy opposition, -and the casualties were so great that the attempt had -to be abandoned. The three Australian brigades -were shortly relieved, after their very valuable -spell in the line. They were destined soon to find -themselves with their comrades on the Somme once -again. -</p> - -<p> -Whilst the 1st Brigade had won a complete -defensive victory in the north of the line, the 2nd -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P273"></a>273}</span> -Brigade had done equally well in the south. The -7th and 8th Battalions were in the line, and both were -heavily engaged, especially the latter, which faced -Vieux Berquin. The German attack was once again -a complete failure, and it was clear that the Australians -had the historical honour in Flanders as well as on -the Somme, of saying, "Thus far and no farther," -upon the sector which they manned. -</p> - -<p> -We pass on to the movements of the Thirty-third -Division, which arrived upon the scene of action on -April 11, and from that time onwards played an ever -increasing part in this great world crisis. General -Pinney had the experience of first being denuded of -large part of his own proper force, which was given -away, brigade by brigade, to points of danger, and -afterwards of not only seeing them reunited under -his hand, but of having the remains of four divisions -and a great number of details under him, and so being -in actual command of the whole operations to the -south and west of Bailleul. To his coolness, firmness, -and well-tried fortitude, the nation owed much -during those few desperate days. -</p> - -<p> -The 100th Brigade (Baird) was moved forward -at once to come under the orders of General -Bainbridge, who, with his Twenty-fifth Division, had -endured so much in the Ploegsteert district and was -in urgent need of help. We shall follow them from -the date of their detachment to that of their return to -their own unit. On April 11, after dusk, they took -their position, covering Neuve Eglise, the 16th King's -Royal Rifles on the right of the line, the 2nd -Worcesters in the centre, and the 9th Highland Light -Infantry in reserve, the 148th Brigade being on the -left, and the 75th Brigade on their right, the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P274"></a>274}</span> -latter much exhausted by two days of battle. -Immediately to the north lay the much enduring -battle line of the Nineteenth Division, which has -already been fully described. Two points can hardly -be described simultaneously, but these facts are to be -read in conjunction with those already given in the -last chapter, and it is to be understood that the whole -situation at Neuve Eglise reacted from hour to hour -upon that farther north, since a German capture of the -town would place the enemy in the rear of General -Jeffreys and his men. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 13. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On April 12 there was no direct attack upon this -area, but about 4 P.M. the 75th Brigade on the -right, which was much worn, was driven back and a -gap created, which was filled in by such reserves as -could be got together at the shortest notice. In the -morning of April 13 it was found that this flank -was still very open, the nearest organised unit -being the 88th Brigade of the Twenty-ninth Division, -which was also stretching out its left in the hope of -making connection. The enemy, however, pushed -through early on April 13, getting to the rear of the -100th Brigade, and swinging north into Neuve Eglise -which they captured. The Glasgow Highlanders, -the only battalion of the Highland Light Infantry -which wears Highland costume, attacked at once -with all the vigour of fresh troops, and cleared -the Germans out of the town at the point of the -bayonet. The enemy had filtered into the brigade -line, however, and parties of them were in the rear of -the Worcesters. The hardest part of all was borne -by the 16th King's Royal Rifles, who, being the flank -battalion, bore all the weight of an advance which -had enveloped them upon three sides, front, flank, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P275"></a>275}</span> -and rear. Of this gallant battalion there were -hardly any survivors. The Worcesters threw back -their right flank, therefore, in order to cover Neuve -Eglise upon the south and south-east, while the -Twenty-fifth Division were on the north and north-east. -</p> - -<p> -The mishaps of a dark day were still not over, for -the enemy about 4.30 made a determined attack -and again punctured the over-stretched line. Some -of them drove their way once more into Neuve Eglise, -brushing aside or scattering the thin line of defence. -Another strong force broke into the front of the -100th Brigade and drove a wedge between the -Glasgow Highlanders and the Worcesters. The -headquarters of the latter battalion was in the -Municipal Building of Neuve Eglise, and put up a -desperate, isolated resistance for many hours, Colonel -Stoney and his staff finally making their way back -to their comrades. In this defence the Chaplain, -the Rev. Tanner, greatly distinguished himself. The -survivors of the 2nd Worcesters had also maintained -themselves in Neuve Eglise as house neighbours to -the German stormers, but after mid-day on April 14, -finding themselves entirely cut off, they fought their -way out, leaving the Square round the Church and -Mairie piled with corpses. The town was now -entirely German, with results already described upon the -northern section of the outflanked line. Once more -the Worcesters, the heroes of the old Gheluvelt battle, -had placed fresh laurels upon their faded and -battle-stained colours. The remains of the 100th Brigade -were now reassembled on the Ravelsberg ridge, west -of Neuve Eglise, where they faced their enemy once -more. So worn was it that the survivors of the Rifles -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P276"></a>276}</span> -and of the Highlanders were clubbed together to form -one very weak composite battalion. On their right -now was a collection of odds-and-ends under General -Wyatt about a thousand strong, while on their left -was the 103rd Brigade of the Thirty-fourth Division, -with the 148th in support. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 14 onwards. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -This latter brigade had aided in the defence of -Neuve Eglise, and done very severe service, two of -the battalions, the 4th Yorkshire Light Infantry and -the 4th York and Lancasters, having sustained heavy -losses. During the two days in which the fate of the -village hung in the balance these battalions were -engaged in constant defence and counter-attack, -especially on April 13, when in one desperate sally -they captured a German colonel and nearly a hundred -of his men. When the village fell on April 14 the -gallant Yorkshiremen still held on close to it and -gave no ground until they were ordered that night -into reserve. The other battalion of the brigade, -the 5th York and Lancaster, had been ordered to -Steenwerck, where also it had borne a distinguished -part in the fight. -</p> - -<p> -The Germans were now nursing their wounds and -also digesting their gains, so that there was a very -welcome pause which was mainly in favour of the -defence, who had good hope of reinforcement. A -number of French batteries appeared as the forerunners -of relief, and helped to break up an advance -upon the Ravelsberg on the morning of April 16. A -second attack had no better luck. Some posts were -taken but were won back again with the help of -the 9th Northumberland Fusiliers of the 103rd -Brigade. -</p> - -<p> -April 17 saw a fresh attack which was preceded by -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P277"></a>277}</span> -a barrage which tore gaps in the thin line of the -Highlanders. It developed into an infantry attack, -which gave the enemy possession of an orchard near -the line. The Highlanders, aided by some of the -6/7th Scots Fusiliers of the 177th Brigade, tried hard -to win it back, but could at best only block the exits. -After dark that night the brigade was relieved by the -148th Brigade, and staggered out of the line with only -800 men unscathed. General Baird's infantry had -endured an ordeal which exceeded what the most -disciplined troops could be expected to survive: 58 -officers and 1424 men had fallen in their splendid -defence of Neuve Eglise. -</p> - -<p> -The other brigades of the Thirty-third Division -had meanwhile been involved in situations hardly -less critical than those which had faced Baird's -Brigade at Neuve Eglise. Maitland's 98th Brigade, -which found itself on April 12 in the Ravelsberg -area, was placed to the north of Bailleul as a support -to that place, and the narrative of its doings will be -found in the subsequent account of the defence of -Meteren. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 12. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The 19th Brigade (Mayne) of the Thirty-third -Division had been detailed to cover Meteren to the -west of Bailleul against the northward sweep of the -Germans. At 9.40 on April 12 it was known that -the enemy had got through at Merville, that their -cavalry had been seen at Neuf Berquin, and by noon -that this swiftly advancing tide was submerging -Merris only three miles south of Meteren. General -Pinney, deprived of two of his brigades, had only -under his hand the 19th Brigade, with the 18th -Middlesex Pioneers, 11th and 222nd Field Companies -Royal Engineers, and the 33rd British Machine-gun -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P278"></a>278}</span> -Corps under Colonel Hutchinson, an officer who until -he was gassed, was a tower of strength to the defence. -At mid-day the place was under heavy shell-fire. -There is a windmill in a prominent position south of -the town overlooking the dead flats of Flanders. In -and around this was stationed the 1st Queen's West -Surrey. East of the town, facing Bailleul, was the -5th Scottish Rifles, while the 1st Scottish Rifles (The -Cameronians) were in reserve. The whole situation -was under the direct control of General Pinney, and -he was reinforced in the course of the day by several -very welcome units—9th Corps Cyclists, 22nd New -Zealand Entrenching Battalion, and others. Strazeele -was included in the line of defence, which joined up -in the night with the hard-worked Twenty-ninth -Division. -</p> - -<p> -The situation on April 12 in this quarter of the -field was most alarming. Everything in the south -seemed to be in a state of chaos, and the line was for -the moment absolutely fluid. The fall of Merville -and of Estaires had been exploited with extraordinary -energy by the Germans, who were rushing on at the -very heels of the retiring and often disorganised -troops, who were dead-beat after two days and nights -of constant exertion. It was all important to build -up some sort of line south of Meteren, but events -were moving so fast that it was doubtful if it could -be done. It was here that the value of the new -machine-gun organisation, perfected during the winter, -was brilliantly exemplified. Colonel Hutchinson was -able to throw forward the whole of his guns to make -up for the local weakness of the infantry, and he ran -great risks in doing so, since he had only broken men -and stragglers to man the gaps between his gun -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P279"></a>279}</span> -positions. The crisis was such, however, that any -risk had to be taken, and the 33rd Battalion of the -Machine-gun Corps saved the situation. On the -other hand it is not too much to say that a humble -hero, Driver Sharples, whose motor-lorry was handy, -saved the 33rd Battalion, for he not only rushed up -eight guns under heavy fire, with their crews, but he -brought up afterwards on his own initiative the wire -and other essentials which enabled them to hold their -position. It was a supreme example of what can be -done by one brave, clear-headed man. The German -tide was flowing at a rate which was measured as -1½ miles in forty minutes, but now it was to reach its -limit, when it came under the fire of these eight guns -upon Windmill Hill. The advance was not only -from Merris in the south but even more along the -Bailleul-Meteren Road, which was crowded with their -troops. By dusk the infantry of the 19th Brigade -had taken the place of the weary fragments who lined -the front, and the immediate danger of a complete -rupture of the line was over. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 13. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -At 5.30 A.M. on April 13 the attack upon Meteren -commenced with a strong advance against the 1st -Queen's at the Windmill, and gained some ground -in the centre. The usual tactics of rushing up -machine-guns was tried, but in spite of the mist they -had very limited success. The 98th Brigade was now -in support, and the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland -Highlanders were ordered forward to cover Meule -Houck Hill on that side. At 10.30 the Queen's were -again fiercely attacked, and after changing hands -three times the windmill in their position remained -with the stormers. At noon a well-knit line had been -formed in front of Meteren, with the Yorkshiremen -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P280"></a>280}</span> -of the 92nd Brigade in touch on the right, while -their brother Yorkshiremen of the 147th Brigade -were on the left, drawn respectively from the -Thirty-first and the Forty-ninth Divisions. There were -cheering rumours that the First Australians and the -hundred and thirty-third French were both -speeding upon their way, but the need of the present -was very great, for the German guns were many, -while there was hardly one to aid in the defence. -</p> - -<p> -At 4 P.M. the Germans were beating once more -along the whole front of the division, but by 5.30 -were back in their own line, what was left of them, -much the worse for the venture. News came, however, -that Vieux Berquin had fallen, and that Meteren -was to be taken next day at all costs. Meanwhile, -in spite of the severe fighting, the losses had not been -heavy, save in the 1st Queen's, which had borne all -the brunt of three separate attacks. Colonel -Kemp-Welch and his men had a very severe ordeal that -day. Cavalry appeared more than once in front -of the position, and one body, 200 strong, were -cut to pieces by a sudden concentration of machine-guns. -The splendid machine-guns still played a prominent -part in the battle. One of them having -been submerged by a rush of the enemy, Corporal -Hurd returned single-handed, advancing 200 yards -beyond the line, and brought it back upon his -shoulder. At one time the supplies of belts ran short, -but they were brought up in most dashing fashion. -"At noon," says an officer, "the fighting limbers -with belt-boxes, barrels, and S.A.A. were galloped -through a hail of shell to our gun positions in a -style reminiscent of the Royal Horse Artillery upon -an Aldershot field-day." The result was great. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P281"></a>281}</span> -"Gunners and gun-commanders report having piled -the dead enemy before their guns." -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 14 -</span> -</p> - -<p> -Shortly after dawn on April 14 the 1st Queen's -was in the wars once more, and from six to eight there -were constant attacks along the whole line from -Strazeele on the right to Bailleul Station on the -left, the latter forming the front of the Thirty-fourth -Division. The 1st Cameronians, those stern descendants -of the Covenanters, beat the enemy away from -Strazeele about noon. At one time there were -renewed attacks upon both the Queen's and the -Cameronians. It is difficult to know which was the -more admirable, the perseverance of the attacks or -the tenacity of the defence. About five in the -evening another fierce wave of storm-troops swept -up from the south; and for one critical moment -found a gap in the line. Two companies of the -stalwart labourers of the 2nd New Zealand Entrenching -Battalion threw themselves into the breach, and -the position was restored. When night fell, the -whole line, though shaken, was still intact, and the -assault had been a complete and a costly failure. -Such operations, which littered the fields of Flanders -with their dead, go far to explain the German weakness -in the latter part of this campaign of 1918. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 15. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -April 15 was quiet in the morning on the front -of Meteren, but the afternoon proved to be disastrous -at Bailleul, since Ravelsberg and Mont de Lille were -stormed by the Germans, with the result that the -town had to be vacated. The Thirty-fourth Division -had been withdrawn from this position, and the -Fifty-ninth North Midlanders (Romer) had taken -their place, but this division had, as already described, -suffered extraordinary losses on the Somme front, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P282"></a>282}</span> -and was in no condition to undertake another -considerable operation. It had already been partly -engaged in Flanders, and its losses had been increased. -Under these conditions it is not surprising that the -determined assault of the Germans should have -forced the line. It would appear upon the map that -this German success entirely outflanked the position -of the Thirty-third Division, but fortunately a switch -line had been constructed which was now manned -by the remains of the Thirty-fourth Division, while -the Fifty-ninth passed through it and concentrated -in the rear. In this way an extension of the German -success was prevented, in spite of great energy upon -the part of the enemy, who had his patrols a -kilometre to the west of the town before night. The -98th Brigade had now taken the place of the 19th -in the line, the 4th King's Liverpools relieving the -Queen's at the Windmill, while the 5th Scottish Rifles -relieved the Cameronians near Strazeele. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 15 onwards. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the efforts to stop the German advance from -Bailleul the 147th Brigade of Cameron's Forty-ninth -Yorkshire Division played an important part. This -unit, containing the 4th, 6th, and 7th Battalions of -the West Riding Regiment found themselves in the -front line on the evening of April 15, and held hard -to a defensive position north-west of Bailleul. For -two more days, April 16 and 17, they maintained the -fight, inflicting and receiving heavy losses, but with -the balance well in their favour. The dour -Yorkshiremen made it clear at last to their equally dour -assailants, that there was no road through their -ranks, however they might thin them. -</p> - -<p> -In the early morning of April 16 the enemy by a -very sudden and violent attack broke through the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P283"></a>283}</span> -switch line and made a lodgment in the eastern -outskirts of Meteren. In spite of determined -counter-attacks made during the morning by the 1st Middlesex, -the 4th King's, and the gallant New Zealand Trench -Battalion, it was not possible to clear these houses -to which the enemy's machine-gun parties clung with -great bravery. Evening found them still in possession, -but all efforts to debouch to the north and west -had been stopped. The Australians were coming up -on the right, so that the Thirty-third were able to -shorten their line. -</p> - -<p> -One farm west of Meteren was penetrated by a -pushful party of Germans, but they were beaten out -of it and destroyed by the 11th Field Company of -sappers, who took a number of prisoners. -</p> - -<p> -On April 17 the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland -Highlanders had come into the line, relieving the -18th Middlesex Pioneers. About 10 A.M. this battalion -was violently attacked, but drove back its assailants, -as did the Thirty-fourth Division on the left at about -the same hour. At six in the evening another very -severe attack developed upon the front of the 4th -King's. For a time the line appeared to be penetrated, -but the 1st Middlesex and units of the One hundred -and thirty-third French Division, which had newly -arrived, made a brisk counter-attack, and the -situation was completely restored. It must indeed have -been discomposing to the enemy to find that each -success which he won, whether it was the taking of -Neuve Eglise, of Bailleul, or later of Mount Kemmel, -instead of being an opening which led to victory, was -only a passage to further trials and further losses in -an unending vista. The edge of the attack had now -been completely blunted in this quarter. April 18 -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P284"></a>284}</span> -was quiet, and on the 19th, as the Australians and -French were up, arrangements were made for drawing -the Thirty-third out of the line which they had so -splendidly made good. Their losses in the six days -amounted to 145 officers and 3302 men. A few days -later Monsieur Clemenceau arrived to convey to -General Pinney and his battle-worn men the thanks -of the French Republic for their iron defence of an -essential line. -</p> - -<p> -The Thirty-fourth Division was last mentioned in -this narrative when it fell back from Nieppe on -April 12, and was afterwards compelled to take -position on the right of the Twenty-fifth Division in -the De Seule neighbourhood. Among other losses -during the retreat was a tried soldier, General Gore -of the 101st Brigade. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 13 onwards. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On the 13th the enemy made several tentative -attacks, but had no success. Late in the afternoon, -however, he had succeeded in penetrating the line -of the Twenty-fifth Division between Neuve Eglise -and De Seule. This success left the left flank of the -Thirty-fourth in the air. The 103rd Brigade had -moved to the Ravelsberg Ridge, however, and so gave -a definite line upon which to withdraw, extending -from Bailleul Station to Crucifix Corner, which was -a very important position. The 103rd Brigade was -now on the left of the line, and the 102nd on the -right. There followed, on April 15, a day of very -severe fighting, the enemy making continual and very -fiery attacks along the whole line, especially upon -the three points, Steam Mill, Mont de Lille, and -Crucifix Corner. The latter was carried by the -enemy and then was retaken by the 9th Northumberland -Fusiliers. Mont de Lille was held by the 74th -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P285"></a>285}</span> -Brigade, and Steam Mill by the 147th, each the centre -of a very deadly combat. Steam Mill was lost and -yet again retaken by the Yorkshire Territorials who -were aided by the 1st Middlesex from the Thirty-third -Division. It was a long and arduous day of battle, -inexpressibly trying to the wearied troops engaged. -General Nicholson had under his hand six brigades -that day, and senior officers upon the spot have -testified to the masterly use which he made of them. -That night the Fifty-ninth came up into the front -line and relieved the exhausted infantry. The relief, -however, was but a momentary one, for on the -afternoon of April 15 the Germans delivered yet -another strong attack upon the Ravelsberg line, -now held by the Forty-ninth, Fifty-ninth, and -Thirty-third Divisions. The Fifty-ninth, as already -described, fell back through the Thirty-fourth Division, -which again found itself in the front line. The two -flank divisions both fell back to conform, and lined -up with the remains of the Thirty-fourth on the new -line near St. Jans Cappel, which held firm from -April 16. -</p> - -<p> -On April 17 there was yet another day of heavy -fighting upon this line, both flanks and the Meule -Hook being strongly attacked, but the position was -successfully held, and one more limit seemed to have -been reached in the advance. The same six brigades -under General Nicholson, reduced now to the strength -of battalions, were still throwing an iron bar across -the German path. From the right the 147th, 74th, -101st, 102nd, 103rd, and 88th, all of them with set -teeth, held on to the appointed line which receded -under pressure and was yet again re-established. -The 88th, under that remarkable young soldier, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P286"></a>286}</span> -General Freyberg, had some especially hard work to -do. -</p> - -<p> -Late on April 20 this goodly fellowship in arms -was dissolved, the three separate brigades returned -to their divisions, and the Thirty-fourth was relieved -by the French. The artillery of the Thirty-eighth -Welsh Division fought throughout these awful days -at the back of the infantry, who could not say too -much for these guns or for General Topping who -commanded them. Save two howitzers hit on -April 9, no gun of this division was lost during all -this close and severe fighting. South of the Lys -many of the Royal Army Medical Corps remained -with their wounded, and were taken prisoners, -sharing with their charges the wretched treatment -which was still meted out to British captives, -especially behind the lines and before reaching the camps -in Germany. -</p> - -<p> -It should be added that the sappers of the 207th, -208th, 209th Field Companies and the 18th Northumberland -Fusiliers Pioneers fought like ordinary infantry, -and did splendid and essential service in -holding the line. -</p> - -<p> -We shall now turn to Jeffreys' Nineteenth Division -which we left on the 12th of April, holding on to the -Wulverghem-Wytschaete front, with formidable -enemies in front of them, but an even more formidable -menace upon their right flank, whence came constant -rumours that the enemy had at last penetrated the -hard-pressed Twenty-fifth Division, had occupied -Neuve Eglise, and was pushing up along the lines of -the northward roads which would turn the whole of -the position. Late at night on April 12 it had -been ascertained that these reports were premature. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P287"></a>287}</span> -The units of the 108th Ulster Brigade on the right -of the line and connecting with the Twenty-fifth -Division had been penetrated and driven back, but -were strengthened and stayed by the advent of the -8th Gloucesters. The situation was obscure on -the right, and there was a dangerous gap which was -filled early in the morning of April 13 by the energy -and initiative of Captain Macintosh of the 94th Field -Company Royal Engineers, who with a handful of -the 10th Worcester's pushed his way in, and showed -a bold front to the enemy. -</p> - -<p> -The 2/5th Sherwood Foresters from the 178th -Brigade (Stansfeld) of the Fifty-ninth North Midland -Division had also been ordered to face south and -with the help of some machine-guns to hold off the -turning movement from that quarter. All these -movements were carried out in pitch darkness and -amid a situation so confused that it was impossible -to define which was the attacking line and which the -line of defence. The general scheme of the battle in -this area on the morning of April 13 was that the -Twenty-fifth Division, with the help of the 148th -Brigade of Yorkshire Territorials, was fighting -desperately in and around Neuve Eglise to the north of -those units of the 100th Brigade, whose defence of -the town has already been described. Next to them -on the north lay the remains of the 108th Brigade, -then the battalion of Sherwood Foresters, and then -the 57th Brigade with the 8th Gloucesters on the -southern flank. All the morning the roar of battle rose -from Neuve Eglise where the German stormers fought -hand to hand with the British infantry, who had -been strengthened by the addition of that fine -battalion, the 4th Shropshires from the Nineteenth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P288"></a>288}</span> -Division. The contest swung and swayed as fresh -German troops were thrown into the struggle, but -at last about half-past ten in the morning the attack -was defeated, the German infantry fell back in sullen -groups under the constant fire of the defenders, and -the British line was pushed forward to the south of -the village. -</p> - -<p> -During the day, which was spent under heavy fire -of artillery and the imminent menace of attack from -the grey clouds seen gathering upon the Messines -Ridge, the remaining battalions of the 178th Brigade, -the 2/6th and the 7th Sherwood Foresters, were pushed -into the line to relieve the exhausted 108th Brigade. -It was clear that great German concentrations were -being made upon Neuve Eglise, and that the village -was in danger, so every arrangement was made -to accommodate the line to the situation which would -arise if that important point were taken, and -the Wulverghem position became in consequence -untenable. This new line would run from Meteren -through Kemmel and Spy Farm to Spanbrockmolen. -The night of April 13 would have been quiet upon -the front of the Nineteenth Division had it not been -for the constant pre-occupation and alarm caused -by the varying fortunes of the fighting at Neuve -Eglise, in which they were well aware that their own -fate was concerned. The attack had been renewed -with fresh forces, and the Twenty-fifth Division was -extremely exhausted and could only be helped by -other units which were in no better case. Again and -again the Germans were deep in the village. Again -and again they were evicted. It seemed to be the -beginning of the end, however, when it was announced -towards morning that the Twenty-fifth Division was -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P289"></a>289}</span> -out of touch with the British troops upon its south -flank, and that the Germans filtering through this gap -had got to Nordhoek, west of Neuve Eglise, and were -pushing to the north in the rear of the British position, -By morning of April 14 Neuve Eglise had been -abandoned, though it does not appear to have been -solidly occupied by the enemy until mid-day, and -snipers of both armies infested the ruins. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 14. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The loss of the village and of the low ridge which -adjoined it had a most sinister effect upon the general -strategic position to the north, and it was indeed -fortunate that measures had been taken in advance -to deal with the new situation. The Nineteenth -Division on April 14 found itself shelled heavily -all day, while it was machine-gunned and trench-mortared -from the right where its flank was now in -the air. The position of the right-hand unit, the 4th -Shropshires, south of the Neuve Eglise-Wulverghem -Road, became impossible, as the Germans were in -the rear, and indeed upon three sides of them. -</p> - -<p> -Major Wingrove stuck to his position till mid-day, -and no battalion could have given a more cogent -example of steadiness and fortitude in adversity. -About 2 P.M. the Germans began to emerge in force -from the villages, beating up against the gallant -Shropshires, who retired slowly and steadily, taking -toll of their assailants, while the Sherwood Foresters -of the 178th Brigade helped them to hold the enemy -at arm's length. -</p> - -<p> -As the day wore on the pressure became more -insistent, until about seven in the evening Major -Wingrove, of whom it has been stated by his General -that "his tenacity, gallantry, and determination had -held the much-tried and isolated line up to this -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P290"></a>290}</span> -time," was severely wounded. When his inspiring -presence was removed there was a break to the north -of Neuve Eglise and the Twenty-fifth Division, now -reduced to a handful, were retreating westwards, -while the Nineteenth was being rolled up from the -south. -</p> - -<p> -General Jeffreys' force was now in so dangerous -a position that it had actually to form a front to the -west as well as to the east, a difficult manoeuvre which -was carried out with great coolness and skill by -Colonel Sole of the 10th Worcesters, who was in charge -of the new line, aided by Major Parkes of the 8th -Gloucesters. The men were rallied, led into their -new positions, and a dangerous penetration was -narrowly averted. Later a new line was built up -with the Forty-ninth Yorkshire Territorial Division -in the place of the Twenty-fifth Division on the -right, reinforced by the 71st Brigade from the Sixth -Division. Next to them on the left was the -178th Sherwood Foresters Brigade, then the 108th -Brigade, and finally the 58th Brigade, standing just -in their old positions. The changes in the British -line were such that whereas it used to face east, -it now faced almost south from near Meteren to -Kemmel and Spanbrockmolen. The latter marked -the point of junction upon the left with the right of -the Ninth Division. This line was not fully occupied -till April 16. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 15. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On April 15 the intermediate positions were -attacked, the 9th Welsh Fusiliers, on the extreme -left of the line, and the remains of the 6th Wiltshires -being heavily engaged. No impression was made. -At a different point the Germans had better results -to show with the 108th Brigade, and made some -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P291"></a>291}</span> -progress, but the Sherwood Foresters once more -mended the line. In the evening it was reported -that the enemy had taken Crucifix Corner and were -moving westwards. The strength of all battalions -had now fallen to such a point, owing to constant -shelling and incessant attacks, that it was very -difficult to form more than a line of outposts. By -evening of April 15 all the troops concerned, the -remains of the Twenty-fifth, the Forty-ninth, and -the Nineteenth Divisions were on the general line -Meteren-Kemmel, facing south to the German -advance, but also threatening the German right flank -if they should press too far to the west. The remnant -of the 108th Ulsters was relieved that night. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 15. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -A heavy attack was made at 6 A.M. on the -morning of April 16 upon the front of the Ninth -Division, which had withdrawn in conformity with the -new northern line. The 62nd Brigade of the Twenty-first -Division had, as already stated, been put under -the orders of General Tudor of the Ninth Division, -for his unit had been greatly weakened by the terrible -losses of the South Africans. The North Countrymen -of the 62nd fought desperately against great odds, -but they were pushed out of Spanbrockmolen, and -later out of Wytschaete. -</p> - -<p> -They found a new line to the north, however, and -the Germans tried in vain to bend it. The 58th -Brigade had thrown back its own line to correspond, -and joined up with the 62nd at Lacache Farm. Late -that evening the worn and weary troops were deeply -comforted by the sight of a small group of blue-clad -men with classical helmets surveying the German -lines through their glasses. It was the vanguard -and the observers of the Twenty-eighth and One -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P292"></a>292}</span> -hundred and thirty-third French Divisions which -were coming up to the aid of the Ninth. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 17. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -It was clear that the commanding position of -Kemmel, a hill which overlooks a wide range of -country, was the immediate objective of the enemy -in this quarter. About 10 A.M. on April 17 they put -down a heavy barrage, and then pushed on in force -with the intention of breaking in the British line and -capturing the hill. The battalions attacked were the -three Sherwood Foresters units, with the 8th North -Staffords and 10th Warwicks of the 57th Brigade. -This attack was a complete failure. Weary as they -were the sturdy Englishmen stood fast to their lines, -and beat their assailants back in blood and ruin. -Machine-gun fire from the crest of the hill contributed -to the result, and the guns also did their share. The -only German gain was a post called Donegal Farm -between the Nineteenth and the Forty-ninth Divisions. -A fresh attack was made upon the 10th Warwicks -in the evening, but this also was thrown back with -heavy loss. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile, on the northern sector, the Ninth -Division endeavoured to regain the ground which -they had lost the day before, but their efforts had no -great success, save that the 7th Seaforths of the -26th Brigade in a very brilliant advance fought their -way into Wytschaete once more, and took possession -of the village which they held until the following day, -when the general position forced them to abandon -it. On April 18 the fighting died down upon this -front, and in the evening the gallant Nineteenth -Division, after most glorious service, was relieved -by the French Twenty-eighth Division, which took -over the defence of Kemmel Hill. The total losses -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P293"></a>293}</span> -of this division had been nearly 4000 men, which, -coming on the top of the heavy losses on the Somme -in the previous fortnight, formed such a record as -had seldom been equalled. Nor was their ordeal -yet at an end, and many a stout battle was still to -be fought before a rest should come. -</p> - -<p> -All these stirring episodes, including the glorious -destruction of the 4th Brigade of Guards, the -formation of a permanent line by the Australians, the -defence of Meteren and Bailleul by the Thirty-third -and other divisions, the fighting at Neuve Eglise, -and the defence of the Wytschaete and Messines -fronts by the Nineteenth and Ninth Divisions with -odd brigades to help them, all came within the area -of Plumer's Second Army, which still consisted of the -Ninth and Fifteenth Corps in the line. It should -be mentioned that of fourteen divisions contained -in this army on March 21 no less than twelve had -been sent down to the Somme, while the remaining -two, the Forty-ninth and Twenty-ninth, were under -orders to go at the moment when the great battle in -Flanders broke out. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Southern Area. April 14. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -We shall now for a moment turn to the left flank of -the First Army in the south which had so far, in spite -of heavy attacks, lost very little ground. It has already -been described how the Fifty-fifth Lancashire Division -stood like a rock at Givenchy and Festubert, while -the Fifty-first and afterwards the Fourth Division -struggled desperately to hold back the attack on -their left. The former had been relieved on April 16 by -Strickland's First Division, while the Highlanders and -Fourth Division also had been drawn out, and gave -place to Deverell's Third Division, which had done so -splendidly and lost so heavily upon the Somme. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P294"></a>294}</span> -</p> - -<p> -After the repulse from the Fifty-fifth Division, -the Germans had contented themselves with shelling -Givenchy, but they had pushed on, as already -narrated, to the north of the position, and had got -as far as Locon. The result was that the First -Division had a long frontage which faced due north -and a shorter frontage to the east. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Southern Area. April 16. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Fourth Division held the front at this period -to the east of Robecq, being on the right of the -Sixty-first, with the 184th Brigade between them. It -was used on April 14 for a counter-attack which -was carried out at night, and which achieved a local -success by the recapture of the village of Riez, with -150 prisoners. This operation was carried out by -the 11th Brigade, with the 1st Hants and 1st Somersets -in the lead, and was a very workmanlike little action -which was the more valuable when coming at a -period of general recoil. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Southern Area. April 18. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On April 18 the new German attack upon the -First Division at Givenchy began with a bombardment -of great violence. Their plan upon this day -was to carry Givenchy and Festubert by storm, and -to win the line of the canal as far west as Gorre. -They would then capture the high ground at Hinges, -and so command the canal right up to Robecq. No -doubt they calculated, and with justice, that if they -could overcome the men on the spot they would -find that the reserves had all been drawn away to the -north. Their plan was wrecked, however, by the fact -that the men on the spot were not to be overcome. -Eighteen German battalions moved forward to the -attack, and all of them suffered heavily without -gaining any appreciable advantage. So heavy was -the slaughter that many German companies were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P295"></a>295}</span> -reduced before evening to twenty or thirty effectives, -while the three battalions of one regiment were left -under the respective command of one lieutenant -and two sub-lieutenants. There have been few -more costly failures, considering the scale of the -operations, in the whole campaign. -</p> - -<p> -The infantry attack was on the two flanks of the -British line which looked northwards, the one attack -being in front of Hinges and the other covering the -space from Loisne to the south of Givenchy, including -Festubert. Three German regiments, the 98th, 361st, -and 202nd Reserve, advanced in this quarter. They -had constructed two bridges during the night to -cross a broad ditch in front of the British line, but -machine-guns were trained upon them, and the -troops which tried to cross were exposed to heavy -losses, which left both the bridges and the banks -heaped with bodies. The mist, the smoke, and the -dust from the shells were so thick, however, that a -hundred yards was the limit of visibility. The -German shell-storm continued to be very heavy, but -the British were snugly ensconced in trenches with -a parapet and parados, both of which were several -feet thick, so that no very great harm was done. -The worst losses were at the advanced keep at Festubert, -which was blown to bits, only eight men of the -garrison surviving. -</p> - -<p> -The First Division had two brigades in the line, -the 1st on the right holding from Givenchy to Le -Plantin, and the 3rd to the left from Le Plantin to -Festubert. The fighting was particularly severe in -the latter sector of the line. As the garrison looked -north they saw through the rising mist about 8.15 -in the morning the enemy advancing in small groups -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P296"></a>296}</span> -of light machine-guns, coming over a slight rise some -900 yards east of Festubert. These troops pushed -bravely on, though they had no cover but shell-holes, -and they suffered very severely. The 1st Gloucester, -under Colonel Tweedie, on the right and the 1st -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P297"></a>297}</span> -South Wales Borderers on the left, battalions -with the halo of the first Ypres battle round their -heads, held the line and littered the open ground -with their steady rifle-fire. There was a gap in the -defences at a point called Willow Road, and into this -the enemy poured more quickly than they could be -shot down. Their rush carried them through, and -into the houses and gardens of Le Plantin. A -company of the Gloucesters under Captain Handford -was cut in two, but both sections stood fast, Lieutenant -Hall on one side, and the company commander on -the other, closing in on the centre and preventing -reinforcement, while Lieutenant Gosling attacked -with the reserve company. The Germans ran field-guns -right up, but the crews were shot down. So -matters remained until the afternoon, the stormers -being in the British position, but so pinned down by -rifle-fire that they could not raise their heads. On -the other hand, German snipers in the houses and -trees were very deadly to any runners or other -exposed defenders. Whilst matters were in this stage -in the Le Plantin area, they were even more critical -at Festubert. The enemy, moving up behind a good -barrage, overran a part of the South Wales Borderers -and forced their way into an orchard just south of the -keep known as Route A. Thence they tried to get -into the rear of the defence. About eleven -Sergeant-Major Biddle of D Company ran the gauntlet to -Brigade Headquarters to explain the situation and -ask for help. Captain Smith got together a party -of odds and ends, under twenty in number, who made -their way up the west side of Festubert and prevented -the extension of this dangerous German movement. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-296"></a> -<br /> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-296.jpg" alt="DEFENCE OF GIVENCHY BY THE FIRST DIVISION, APRIL 18, 1918.*" /> -<br /> -DEFENCE OF GIVENCHY BY THE FIRST DIVISION, APRIL 18, 1918.* -</p> - -<p class="footnote"> -* This rough plan was drawn by an officer engaged -in the action. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -By two o'clock the attack was definitely defeated, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P298"></a>298}</span> -and by three the Germans were retiring along the -whole line. They found it, however, very difficult -to disengage themselves from their advance positions. -They tried to crawl back from shell-hole to shell-hole, -while the British stood up all along the parapets and -shot them in scores. Absolutely demoralised, many -of the Germans threw away their arms. Their -retirement probably cost as much as their advance. -Those who had got into Le Plantin had to run the -gauntlet between two halves of the Gloucesters in -getting out, and few of them escaped. The -performance of the 1st Gloucesters was remarkable, -for they were at one time attacked front, flank, and -rear by a force estimated at four battalions. It is -recorded that the barrels of their new Lewis guns -were worn smooth by the intensity of one day of battle. -The 1st Brigade on the right of the defence from -the canal to Le Plantin was also heavily attacked, -though their ordeal was not so long or severe as that -of their comrades on the left. The 1st Black -Watch, the flank battalion next to the Gloucesters, -had some especially heavy fighting, but kept their -ground intact, and did their full share towards the -victorious result. The whole affair was a fine feat -of arms, for the German gun power had greatly -increased since April 9, while the repulse was even more -decisive. It proved to be a final one, as the Germans -made no further attempt to force their passage to -Bethune. During all this long fight the Third -Division beyond Loisne on the left was holding -the line firmly against all German pressure. So -ended April 18. Before the evening of the 20th all -outlying posts had been cleared of the Germans. -On this same date, April 18, there was a sharp -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P299"></a>299}</span> -action to the immediate left of this Givenchy fighting, -when the Fourth Division held up a German attack, -and afterwards countered, capturing the Bois Paquan -in the Kobecq sector. Two hundred prisoners were -the fruits of this action, but they were dearly bought, -for many officers and men were killed or wounded. -Among the former were two grand soldiers, Colonel -Armitage of the 1st Hants and Brigade-Major Harston -of the 11th Brigade. This forward movement was -continued later by the Sixty-first Division, who did -very good work on April 23, General Pagan of the -184th Brigade being a leader in the advance, which -was notable for a fine attack by the 2/5th Gloucesters -under Colonel Lawson. Shortly afterwards General -Colin Mackenzie of this division, who had done splendid -work from the first days of the war, was wounded -while reconnoitring in front of his line and had to -return to England. -</p> - -<p> -There now followed a short pause in the German -attack, and we may look around and follow the -general line of the defence at this period before the -action was renewed. On the extreme north of the -Second Army the Belgians had relieved the Thirtieth -Division, and thus shortened the British line. Then -came the Ninth and Twenty-first British Divisions -near Wytschaete. South and west of this point the -front line had been taken over by General de Mitry -with the Thirty-sixth French Corps, which now -succeeded the Ninth British Corps in this sector. The -Thirty-fourth and One hundred and thirty-third -French Divisions were in the line, with the Second -French Cavalry Corps in co-operation. This most -welcome and indeed vital reinforcement had taken -over Kemmel, Mont Rouge, Mont Noir, Mont Vidaigne, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P300"></a>300}</span> -and Mont des Cats, the range of kopjes which screen -the Ypres plain from the south. On the right of the -French was the weary Fifteenth Corps, with the -First Australian Division as the flank unit near -Meteren. The British divisions in the north were in -close support to the French, the Nineteenth and -Thirty-fourth being near Poperinghe, and the Twenty-fifth -behind Kemmel. Such was the general position -in that northern sector, to which the battle was now -more and more confined. Before following the -further events it should be mentioned that on April -17 the Belgians in the neighbourhood of Bixschoote -had been exposed to a very severe attack from four -German divisions, which would have shaken the -whole line of defence had it succeeded. It was met, -however, with very great courage, and the Belgians -proved themselves to be valiant soldiers, well worthy -to be admitted upon entirely equal terms into the -battle-line of the larger nations. They fought the -action with heroic gallantry, and gave the Germans -a severe check, killing some 2000 of them, and taking -700 prisoners with several guns. It was a notable -performance, and the more welcome in a period of -such stress. -</p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-300-t"></a> -<br /> -<a href="images/img-300.jpg"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-300-t.jpg" alt="Position of the Line in Flanders, April 9" /> -</a> -<br /> -Position of the Line in Flanders, April 9 -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 25. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -On April 25, at an early hour of the morning, the -Germans made an attack upon the northern line from -a point north of Bailleul to the east of Wytschaete, -a distance of about ten miles. The whole of this -front, save the extreme eastern portion, was held -by the French, who made a very gallant resistance -to as fierce an assault as the war has seen. The main -German objective was the very important height of -Mount Kemmel, a bluff five hundred feet high, wooded -upon the sides. This was held by the Twenty-eighth -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P301"></a>301}</span> -French Division, who fought most gallantly, but were -finally overpowered by the four German divisions -which were brought against it, including a division -of Alpine troops, especially trained for hill fighting. -The Allied line was pushed back along its whole front, -Dranoutre and St. Eloi falling into the hands of the -Germans, together with 6000 prisoners. It was the -darkest hour of the Flemish battle, and was the more -depressing as it came after a week of equilibrium in -which the tide of invasion seemed to have been finally -dammed. The German infantry had penetrated -through the joining point of the French and British -near Wytschaete, and at the same time through the -French at Dranoutre, so that they were able to assail -Kemmel Hill from both sides. It had fallen by nine -o'clock. The Ninth Division in the north was forced -to fall back upon the line of La Clytte, after enduring -heavy losses in a combat lasting nine hours, during -which they fought with their usual tenacity, as did -the 64th and 146th Brigades, who fought beside them. -</p> - -<p> -The Germans, having got through the French upon -the right flank, had got round to the rear of the -27th Brigade, with the result that the 12th Royal -Scots were almost entirely destroyed, and the Scottish -Borderers were also very hard hit. None the less, -with the enemy in front and rear, the Lowland infantry -held out, finally making their way back in orderly -fashion during the night. Farther north the line of -the 64th and the 146th Brigades was broken and the -remnants reformed in Cheapside, where their reserve -battalions thickened their array. The 26th Highland -Brigade threw back all attacks in front, and formed -a defensive flank to the south, withdrawing at leisure -and in order after dark. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P302"></a>302}</span> -</p> - -<p> -Even the Ninth Division has seldom had a harder -day, or a more honourable one. On the 26th General -Cameron of the Forty-ninth Division took over this -sector, and the Ninth went out of the line with very -special messages of thanks from both the British -and the French marshals. -</p> - -<p> -Some small British units were involved in the -disaster of Mount Kemmel as they were on the hill -helping in the defence. Among these were the 19th -Lancashire Fusiliers (Pioneers), the 456th Field -Company R.E., and part of the 49th Battalion -Machine-gun Corps, all drawn from the Forty-ninth -Division. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 26. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -A determined effort was at once made to retrieve -the situation, and a counter-attack upon the new -German line was ordered for 3 A.M. on April 26. -It was carried out by the Thirty-ninth French Division -on the right, and by the Twenty-fifth Division -(Bainbridge) on the left. The French advance -was held by severe machine-gun fire on the line -of the Kemmel Brook. The British advancing from -La Clytte had more success, but were unable to -maintain the ground which they had won. They -went forward with Griffin's 7th Brigade on -the left and Bethell's 74th on the right. The -water was up to the men's waists as in the cold of -the early morning they splashed their way across the -Kemmel Brook. It was dismal and desperate work, -but the spirit of the men, in spite of all that this -division had endured, was still high, and they beat -down all obstacles until they had forced their way -into the village of Kemmel, where they secured 200 -prisoners. Their own losses were heavy, however, -including Colonel Cade of the 1st Wilts, Colonel -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P303"></a>303}</span> -Stewart of the 4th South Staffords, Colonel Reade of -the 10th Chesters, and several other senior officers. -It was now found that the flanks of both brigades -were in the air, and as the losses were increasing -through the enfilade fire, they were ordered to -withdraw. It was still early, and the morning mist -screened what would otherwise have been a very -murderous operation. The final line held by the -Twenty-fifth Division was about 1000 yards in advance -of the starting-point. -</p> - -<p> -It should be remembered that in this difficult and -gallant night attack against a victorious enemy the -young 19-year-old recruits, who now made up a -considerable proportion of the decimated division, -showed a very fine spirit and kept up with the veterans -beside them. -</p> - -<p> -Having repulsed the counter-attack of the French -and of the Twenty-fifth Division, the enemy tried -with great energy to improve his advantage, and -Von Armin thundered during the whole of April 26 -against the Allied line, trying especially to drive in -the northern sector at Wytschaete and Eloi. The -fighting on this line was very desperate during the -day, and in spite of every effort the troops were -pushed back from their forward positions. The strain -fell chiefly upon the remains of the 26th Brigade of -the Ninth Division, the Twenty-first Division, the -21st Brigade of the Thirtieth Division, and the -Thirty-ninth Division. The 21st Brigade defended -the northern portion of the line, and one of the -outstanding feats of the day was the defence of the Old -Bluff from morning to dusk by that grand battalion, -the 2nd Bedfords. Farther south the two points -called the Brasserie and the Spoil-Bank were eventually -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P304"></a>304}</span> -won by the Germans, but they were defended -with great determination by units of the Thirty-ninth -Division, the 1st Herts, the Cambridgeshires, and the -Sussex battalions. It was a day of struggle, and the -most that the Allies could say was that they had -prevented a break in their line. That night there -was another general withdrawal along the front which -brought the Allied position into very much the same -trenches as had been occupied in the autumn of 1914. -Such a result of four years' fighting might well have -caused depression, and yet these brave hearts never -for one instant relinquished their high hopes of the -victory to come. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 26 onwards. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The enemy had gained a spectacular advantage at -Kemmel, and high hopes were raised in Germany -that some great ulterior result would come of it, but -in spite of strong efforts it was not destined that there -should be any particular consequences from their -victory. Observation can be obtained from a balloon -as easily as from a hill, and the space upon the summit -was so limited that the Allied guns could make it -almost untenable. Strong efforts were at once made -to push on upon the line Locre-La Clytte, which -was held by the French. They repulsed three strong -attacks on April 27, and though in the evening the -Germans got into Locre, they were thrown out again -by our tenacious Allies. Again on the morning of -April 29 the enemy attacked along the whole line -from Mont Vidaigne to Zillebeke Lake. This attack -was repulsed with severe loss to the enemy, and must -have gone far to convince him that he was not destined -to develop his Kemmel success. The battle involved -not only the front of the Thirty-sixth French Corps, -but also that of the Twenty-fifth, Forty-ninth, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P305"></a>305}</span> -Twenty-first Divisions, all of which stood like a wall -and beat off every assault. These attacks extended -from north of Kemmel to Voormezeele. The Twenty-fifth -Division was next to the French on the right -of the line, in the British centre was the Forty-ninth, -while on the left the Twenty-first Division connected -up with the Ninth, which was out of the direct line -of attack. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. April 29. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -The 75th Brigade formed the fighting line of the -Twenty-fifth Division on this day of battle. They -found themselves on the western side of the Kemmel -Brook, while the 3rd Prussian Guards lay on the -farther side and advanced to the attack. To do this -they had to pass over the smooth slope which led -down to the stream, and they fell in heaps in the -attempt. They huddled for shelter behind a group -of huts, but the guns got on to them and blew them -to pieces. Four distinct attacks were all equally -murderous and unsuccessful. The 8th Border -Battalion was particularly conspicuous in the defence. -Next to them, near Ridge Wood, were the well-tried -Yorkshiremen of the Forty-ninth. For some reason -the Germans at this point advanced in close -formation with bayonets fixed. Such tactics received -the slating which they deserved. Both the West -Riding Battalions of the 147th Brigade and the -York and Lancasters of the 148th were in the -firing-line, and they amply repaid themselves for many a -distressful hour. Once for three minutes the Germans -made a lodgment, but at the end of that time a rush of -bayonet-men pitchforked them out of their only gain. -The Twenty-first Division held the line above Ridge -Wood and on towards Voormezeele. Upon them -came the heaviest attack of all, and the slaughter -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P306"></a>306}</span> -of the Germans, coming on at a range of 400 yards -under machine-gun and rifle-fire, was very murderous. -The Leicester Brigade did particularly well this day, -and so did the worn 89th Brigade of the Thirtieth -Division, which had come under the orders of General -Campbell of the Twenty-first Division. The German -attack struck very hard against the front of this unit -near the Brasserie on the Vierstraat-Ypres Road, -and all three battalions, the 17th, 18th, 19th King's -Liverpools, had desperate fighting, the 17th coming -in for particularly rough treatment. It had each -flank penetrated and one company surrounded, but -still managed to shake itself clear. -</p> - -<p> -The Belgians were also involved in this wide-spread -attack, and both their lines in the north and -those of the French round the Sharpenberg and Mont -Rouge were held intact. This severe check, inflicted -upon a force which was not less than twelve divisions, -marked the beginning of the collapse of the great -German offensive in Flanders, which had now lasted -for twenty days of constant battle. -</p> - -<p> -Early in May the Franco-British line still lay -from Kemmel village in the south to Ypres in the -north, taking Voormezeele upon the way. If the -Germans could succeed in bursting through here they -would partly encircle Ypres, and would probably -cause an evacuation, an event which might be of no -great military importance, but could not fail to have -a moral and political repercussion. Ypres stood like -an oriflamme of war amid the ranks of the British -Army. Here it was that in October 1914 they had -said to the Germans, "Thus far and no farther!" Now -in the fourth year the words still held good. -If after all the efforts, all the self-sacrifice, all -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P307"></a>307}</span> -good blood so cheerfully shed, it was now to pass -from their hands, no consoling lectures upon strategy -could soften the heavy blow which it would be to -those who relaxed the grip which their comrades had the -held so firmly. Yet it was this and no less which -was at stake in these early days of May. A crushing -German victory with the capture of the coast was no -longer to be feared. But an important local success, -which would reverberate through the world, was still -well within their hopes and their power. -</p> - -<p> -At the moment of this important attack the -southern sector of this line was held by the One -hundred and twenty-ninth and Thirty-second French -Divisions, the latter being next to the British just -to the south of Vierstraat. To the north of the -French lay the 30th Composite Brigade (Currie), -which had been formed by telescoping the remains -of the Thirtieth Division into a single unit. It had -two splendid though attenuated Regular battalions, -the 2nd Bedfords and 2nd Yorkshires in the line with -the 17th King's Liverpools in immediate support. -Still farther to the north lay Pinney's well-tried -Thirty-third Division with the 98th Brigade (Maitland) -in front. Their battle line consisted of the 2nd -Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, the 4th King's -Liverpools, and the 1st Middlesex, from south to north. -Farther north still from the Voormezeele region to -the southern suburbs of ruined Ypres lay Marden's -Sixth Division which was not involved to any great -degree in the fighting. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="sidenote"> -Northern Area. May 8. -</span> -</p> - -<p> -In the centre of the position was a well-marked -line of trees forming the edge of Ridge Wood. Behind -the British line was the village of Dickebush with the -Dickebush Lake. These two points were the first -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P308"></a>308}</span> -objectives of the German attack, which broke with -great violence at 7.30 in the morning of May 8. It -was preceded by a lavish use of mustard gas shells, -a hellish device which was used more and more from -this time forward. This poison may be kept out of -the lungs by a mask, but cannot be kept from the -body, where it raises such blisters and irritation as -may prove fatal in the same fashion as a bad burn. -When enough has been poured into any position it -can be made untenable by troops, since in heavy -weather it hangs about for days, and has the -unpleasant property of appearing to have vanished -and yet becoming active again when exposed to -moisture. Many a battalion which has crossed a -dew-moistened field within the battle area has had -reason afterwards to regret it. -</p> - -<p> -Coming after so deadly a preparation the first rush -of the Germans met with success, and they penetrated -the line, both of the Thirty-second French -Division and of the 30th Composite Brigade. Their -advance brought them roughly to the south end of -Dickebush Lake, whereupon the 98th Brigade threw -back a flank from Ridge Wood to the lake, so as to -cover themselves from a southern attack. -</p> - -<p> -At seven in the evening a strong attempt was made -to re-establish the line, the 19th Brigade (Mayne) -being thrown into the battle. The counter-attack -was made by the 1st Cameronians, advancing across -the Hallebast-La Clytte Road, but they were in -full view of the enemy whose machine-gun fire was -sweeping the very grass from the ground in front of -their feet. They could not get forward, and many -of them never got back. A fine advance was made, -however, by the composite King's Liverpools with the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P309"></a>309}</span> -help of some of the Bedfords. It actually reached -the old front line, but had lost so heavily that it was -unable to retain it in the face of a renewed German -assault, but stuck on as near as it could. -</p> - -<p> -It should be explained that this King's Liverpool -unit was really the old 89th Brigade which had been -worn down to such an extent that the 17th, 18th, -and 19th King's were now compressed into one -battalion, 750 strong. Their heavy losses upon the -Somme had been greatly increased in Flanders, and -included Colonel Watson, the gallant and veteran -leader of the 17th Battalion. Now under Colonel -Rollo their sentiment was that of one of their officers -who wrote, "We are still the 89th Brigade, call us -what they like and put us in what division they -please. The old spirit remains as ever." This was -the unit whose swan song is here recorded. Next -day the survivors made good their line, and handed -it over intact to their relief. -</p> - -<p> -To the north of this composite battalion (which -was independent of the 30th Divisional Brigade -already mentioned) the counter-attack was made by -the 5th Scottish Rifles near Dickebush Lake, and by -the 2nd Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Ridge -Wood. Both of these battalions won home and -gained their full objectives. The great German local -effort, urged by four strong divisions, the Fifty-second -and Fifty-sixth in front, the Twenty-ninth and -Thirty-first in support, had been held. Each of these -convulsive efforts of Von Armin's tired army brought -the final equilibrium and ultimate retirement more -close. -</p> - -<p> -The fighting died down entirely in this quarter, -and the Fourteenth French Division took it over -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P310"></a>310}</span> -from the British. Indeed this day of strenuous battle -may be said to have marked the end of the great -Battle of the Lys, which had raged ever since April 9. -The Germans had been fought to a standstill. They -had in the course of a month's fighting won ground, -prisoners, and guns, but it is possible in winning a -battle to lose a war, and this is exactly what they -had accomplished. An expensive and barren success -had been achieved by a lavish use of their reserves, -and on the day when those reserves were vitally -needed, they had been wastefully strewn over the -plains of the Somme and of Flanders. Never had -the British Army been more severely tried than at -this time when their General issued his famous "back -to the wall" appeal, and never had the individual -soldier risen to a greater height. "The British -Army," says an Italian observer who was present -throughout the crisis, "impresses one with its inherent -moral soundness. The German," he adds, "uses -almost exclusively machine-guns and bombs, but the -Englishman loves his rifle, and knows much better -how to use it. He is a better marksman, he is more -contemptuous of danger, and he is calmer, steadier, -and feels himself individually superior to his enemy. -The cheerfulness of the men is due in great measure -to the noble, dignified, serene example of their officers, -so simple in their gentlemanly bearing, so conscious -of the reasons and the end of the war, so proud of -their country and of its unshakeable prestige." It -is a noble tribute, but none who know the men could -say that it was a strained one. -</p> - -<p> -No account of the battle of the Lys can close -without a word as to the splendid work done by -General Plumer, never wearied, never flurried, during -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P311"></a>311}</span> -those fateful days. Hardly less arduous was the -experience of General Horne in the southern sector. -The three corps commanders, too, who bore the brunt, -and very especially General de Lisle, who only took -over his command on the second day of the battle, -will always be associated with one of the most -desperate incidents of the war. But above and -behind all is the commanding and heroic figure of -Douglas Haig, impassive, serene, still working as he -had worked four years before, at the mending of -broken lines and the bracing of weak ones, until -the hour should strike for his tremendous revenge. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap11"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P312"></a>312}</span></p> - -<h3> -CHAPTER XI -<br /><br /> - THE BATTLES OF THE CHEMIN DES DAMES AND<br /> - OF THE ARDRES<br /> -</h3> - -<p class="t3"> -May 27-June 2 -</p> - -<p class="intro"> -The rest cure of the Aisne—Attack upon the Fiftieth Division—Upon -the Eighth—Upon the Twenty-first—5th Battery R.F.A.—Glorious -Devons—Adventure of General Rees—Retreat across -the Aisne—Over the Vesle—Arrival of Nineteenth -Division—Desperate fighting—Success -of 4th Shropshires—General Pellé's -tribute—General prospect of the Allies midway through 1918. -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p> -It had been determined to rest four of the crippled -British divisions which had been heavily engaged -first on the Somme and then in the battle of the Lys. -These divisions were the Twenty-fifth (Bainbridge), -Twenty-first (Campbell), Eighth (Heneker), and -Fiftieth (Jackson), all forming the Ninth Corps -(Hamilton-Gordon). Each of them had been cut to -pieces twice in the course of little more than a month, -and should by every pre-war precept have been -incapable of exertion for a long time to come. They -were reconstituted with numbers of recruits under -fresh officers, both leaders and men with slight -experience of actual warfare. They were then sent, -via the outskirts of Paris, the direct route being -under fire from the German guns in front of Amiens, -and they were thrust into the French line just north -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P313"></a>313}</span> -of the Aisne in the region of the Chemin des Dames. -The intention was to give them repose, but the change -was looked upon with misgiving by the divisional -generals, one of whom wrote to the present chronicler -at the time saying, "They think it will be a rest cure, -but to my mind it is more likely to be a fresh centre -of storm." -</p> - -<p> -As a matter of fact the Germans, who had now -made two colossal thrusts, the one on March 21 on -the Somme, the other at the Lys on April 9, were -planning a third desperate attack at this very point. -The competent military historian of the future with -all the records before him will no doubt be able to -pronounce how far it was wise for the German high -command to leave two unfinished tasks in order to -undertake a third one. On the face of it, it seemed -an unlikely thing to do, and that perhaps is why -they did it. The line at this position had few natural -advantages and was not strongly held. In the -opinion of British generals it would have been wise -if it could have been drawn south of the Aisne, since -a broad river is a good friend in one's front, but a -treacherous enemy in one's rear. There were reasons, -however, why it was not easy for the French to -abandon the north bank, for they had spent much -time, labour, and human life in capturing Craonne, -the California Plateau, and other positions within -that area, and it was a dreadful thing to give them -up unless they were beaten out of them. They held -on, therefore—and the British divisions, now acting -as part of the French army, were compelled to hold -on as well. The Fiftieth Northern Territorial Division -had a frontage of 7000 yards from near Craonne -to Ville-aux-Bois, including the famous California -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P314"></a>314}</span> -Plateau; on their immediate right was the Regular -Eighth Division, and to the right of that in the -Berry-au-Bac sector, where the lines cross the Aisne, was -the Twenty-first Division, this British contingent -forming the Ninth Corps, and having French troops -upon either side of them. The Twenty-fifth Division -was in reserve at Fismes to the south of the river. -The total attack from Crecy-au-Mont to Berry was -about thirty miles, a quarter of which—the eastern -quarter—was held by the British. -</p> - -<p> -Confining our attention to the experience of the -British troops, which is the theme of these volumes, -we shall take the northern unit and follow its fortunes -on the first day with some detail, remarking in -advance that the difficulties and the results were -much the same in the case of each of the three front -divisions, so that a fuller account of one may justify -a more condensed one of the others. The position -along the whole line consisted of rolling grass plains -where the white gashes in the chalk showed out the -systems of defence. The Germans, on the other -hand, were shrouded to some extent in woodland, -which aided them in the concentration of their troops. -The defences of the British were of course inherited, -not made, but possessed some elements of strength, -especially in the profusion of the barbed wire. On -the other hand, there were more trenches than could -possibly be occupied, which is a serious danger when -the enemy comes to close grips. The main position -ran about 5000 yards north of the Aisne, and was -divided into an outpost line, a main line of battle, -and a weak system of supports. The artillery was -not strong, consisting of the divisional guns with -some backing of French 75's and heavies. -</p> - -<p> -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P315"></a>315}</span> -</p> - -<p> -The Fiftieth Division, like the others, had all -three brigades in the line. To the north the 150th -Brigade (Rees) defended Craonne and the slab-sided -California Plateau. On their right, stretching across -a flat treeless plain, lay the 151st Brigade (Martin). -To the right of them again was the 149th Brigade -(Riddell), which joined on near Ville-aux-Bois to the -24th Brigade (Grogan) of the Eighth Division. It -may give some idea of the severity with which the -storm broke upon the Fiftieth Division, when it is -stated that of the three brigadiers mentioned one -was killed, one was desperately wounded, and a third -was taken before ten o'clock on the first morning -of the attack. -</p> - -<p> -The German onslaught, though very cleverly -carried out, was not a complete surprise, for the -experienced soldiers in the British lines, having -already had two experiences of the new methods, -saw many danger signals in the week before the -battle. There was abnormal aircraft activity, -abnormal efforts also to blind our own air service, -occasional registering of guns upon wire, and suspicious -movements on the roads. Finally with the capture -of prisoners in a raid the suspicions became certainties, -especially when on the evening of May 26 the Germans -were seen pouring down to their front lines. No -help arrived, however, for none seems to have been -immediately available. The thin line faced its doom -with a courage which was already tinged with despair. -Each British brigade brought its reserve battalion -to the north bank of the Aisne, and each front division -had the call upon one brigade of the Twenty-fifth -Division. Otherwise no help was in sight. -</p> - -<p> -The bombardment began early in the morning of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P316"></a>316}</span> -May 27, and was said by the British veterans to be -the heaviest of the war. Such an opinion meant -something, coming from such men. The whole area -from Soissons to Rheims was soaked with gas and -shattered with high explosives, so that masks had -to be worn ten kilometres behind the lines. A German -officer declared that 6000 guns were employed. Life -was absolutely impossible in large areas. The wire was -blown to shreds, and the trenches levelled. The men -stuck it, however, with great fortitude, and the -counter-barrage was sufficiently good to hold up the early -attempts at an infantry advance. The experiences -of the 149th Infantry Brigade may be taken as typical. -The front battalion was the 4th Northumberland -Fusiliers under Colonel Gibson. Twice the enemy -was driven back in his attempt to cross the shattered -wire. At 4 A.M. he won his way into the line of -outposts, and by 4.30 was heavily pressing the battle -line. His tactics were good, his courage high, and -his numbers great. The 6th Northumberland Fusiliers, -under Colonel Temperley, held the main line, and -with the remains of the 4th made a heroic resistance. -At this hour the Germans had reached the main lines -both of the 151st Brigade on the left and of the -24th on the right. About five o'clock the German -tanks were reported to have got through on the -front of the Eighth Division and to be working round -the rear of the 149th Brigade. Once again we were -destined to suffer from the terror which we had -ourselves evolved. The main line was now in great -confusion and breaking fast. The 5th Northumberland -Fusiliers were pushed up as the last reserve. -There was deep shadow everywhere save on the -California Plateau, where General Rees, with his -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P317"></a>317}</span> -three Yorkshire battalions, had repulsed repeated -assaults. The French line had gone upon his left, -however, and the tanks, with German infantry -behind them, had swarmed round to his rear, so that -in the end he and his men were all either casualties -or captives. -</p> - -<p> -Colonel Gibson meanwhile had held on most -tenaciously with a nucleus of his Fusiliers at a post -called Centre Marceau. The telephone was still -intact, and he notified at 5.45 that he was surrounded. -He beat off a succession of attacks with heavy loss -to the stormers, while Temperley was also putting -up a hopeless but desperate fight. Every man -available was pushed up to their help, and they were -ordered to hold on. A senior officer reporting from -Brigade Headquarters says: "I could hear Gibson's -brave, firm voice say in reply to my injunctions to -fight it out, 'Very good, sir. Good-bye!'" Shortly -afterwards this gallant man was shot through the -head while cheering his men to a final effort. -</p> - -<p> -The experience of the Durhams of the 151st had -been exactly the same as that of the Northumberlands -of the 149th. Now the enemy were almost up to the -last line. The two brigadiers, Generals Martin and -Riddell, together with Major Tweedy of the reserve -battalion, rushed out to organise a local defence, -drawing in a few scattered platoons for the purpose. -As they did so they could see the grey figures of the -Germans all round them. It was now past six o'clock, -and a clear, sunny morning. As these officers ran -forward, a shell burst over them, and General Martin -fell dead, while Riddell received a terrible wound in -the face. In spite of this, he most heroically -continued to rally the men and form a centre of resistance -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P318"></a>318}</span> -so as to cover Pontavert as long as possible. The -5th Northumberland Fusiliers with a splendid counter-attack -had regained the position of Centre d'Evreux, -and for the moment the pressure was relieved. It -was clear, however, both to General Jackson and to -General Heneker that both flanks were exposed, and -that their general position was an acute salient far -ahead of the Allied line. The Twenty-first Division -was less affected, since it already lay astride of the -river, but the French line on the left was back before -mid-day as far as Fismes, so that it was absolutely -necessary if a man were to be saved to get the remains -of the two British divisions across the Aisne at once. -</p> - -<p> -Pontavert, with its bridges over river and canal, -was in the hands of the Germans about 7 A.M., but -the bridge-heads at Concevreux and other places were -firmly held, and as the men got across, sometimes as -small organised units, sometimes as a drove of -stragglers, they were rallied and lined up on the -south bank. The field-guns had all been lost but the -heavies and machine-guns were still available to hold -the new line. Some of the 5th Northumberland -Fusiliers were entirely cut off, but fought their way -through the Germans, and eventually under Major -Leatheart reported themselves at the bridges. So -rapid had been the hostile advance that the -dressing-stations were captured, and many of our doctors and -wounded fell into the hands of the Germans to endure -the hard fate which these savages so often reserved -for the brave but helpless men who fell into their -power. It is a terrible fact which should not be -forgotten, that among these torturers the nurses and -the doctors held in many cases a prominent position. -</p> - -<p> -The 150th Brigade, under General Rees, which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P319"></a>319}</span> -was defending the Craonne position, had endured an -even heavier ordeal than the others. It was on the -extreme left of the British line, on the right of the -French 118th Regiment. This latter seems to have -been entirely destroyed or taken early in the attack. -The British brigade lay in front of Craonne upon the -edge of the California Plateau, with the 5th Yorks -on the right and the 4th East Yorks on the left. -The 4th Yorks were in brigade reserve in Craonelle, -immediately behind the fighting line. The Germans -got through the French on the left, also through a -gap down the Corbeny railroad on the right of the -150th and left of the 151st Brigade. Colonel Thomson -of the 5th Yorks, a very brave and experienced soldier -who was said by those who knew him best to be -worth half a battalion in his own person upon the -day of battle, was in charge on the right, and hung -on with tooth and claw to every inch of ground, but -his little force, already greatly weakened by the -cannonade, was unable to resist the terrible onslaught -of the German infantry. Two counter-attacks were -attempted by reserve companies, but each was swept -away. The Germans were on the flank in Craonne -and enfiladed the line with a machine-gun. Colonel -Thomson's last words over the telephone to Headquarters -were, "Good-bye, General, I'm afraid I shall -not see you again." He was killed shortly afterwards. -Major Haslett of the East Yorks made an equally -desperate resistance on the other flank, and finally -he and a wounded sergeant-major were captured -with their empty pistols in their hands. Meanwhile -the Brigade Headquarters at La Hutte were practically -surrounded and under a terrible fire. General -Rees endeavoured to get into touch with his only -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P320"></a>320}</span> -remaining battalion, the 4th Yorks, but they had -already been overrun by the enemy. Colonel Kent, -with sixteen men, had thrown himself into a house -in Craonelle, and had fought until the whole party -were killed or wounded. The enemy was now several -miles to the rear of the few survivors of the 150th -Brigade, who endeavoured to make their way back -as best they might. It gives some idea of how -completely they were cut off that General Rees, after -many adventures and escapes, was finally stopped -and taken by encountering the main line of the -German traffic coming down the road which he had -to cross. This was late in the day of May 27, when -the enemy was well across the Aisne. It may be of -interest to add that General Rees was taken before -the Kaiser next morning, whom he found upon -the California Plateau. The emperor behaved with -courtesy to his prisoner, though he could not refrain -from delivering a monologue of the usual type upon -the causes of the war and the iniquity of Great Britain -in fulfilling her treaty obligations. -</p> - -<p> -Some account must now be given of the experiences -of Heneker's Eighth Division which occupied the -centre of the British line. This division, like the -others, had been sent to the Aisne for a rest cure -after its terrific exertions upon the Somme. Full of -raw soldiers and inexperienced officers it would have -seemed to be entirely unfit for battle, but it had the -two solid assets of experienced leading in the senior -officers and great regimental traditions, that ever -present stand-by of the British Army. Young as -were the troops they took General Heneker's orders -literally when he issued the command that the posts -were to be held at all costs, and, as a consequence, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P321"></a>321}</span> -hardly a single battalion existed as a fighting unit -after the engagement. -</p> - -<p> -The British field-batteries were mostly to the north -of the river, and were greatly damaged by the -preliminary German fire. They were accurately located -by the enemy, and were smothered in poison and -steel. So were the Gernicourt defences, which formed -an important tactical position with a permanent -garrison on the right of the division. All three -brigades were in the line, the 25th on the right, the -24th in the centre, and the 23rd on the left. The -outpost line was utterly overwhelmed in the first -rush, the experience being much the same as on -March 21, for each small body of men found itself -isolated, and could only do its best to hold its own -patch of ground. Thus at 5.15 A.M. a pigeon message -was sent, "H.Q. 2nd Berks, consisting of Colonel -Griffin, Captain Clare, and staff, are surrounded. -Germans threw bombs down dug-out and passed on. -Appeared to approach from right rear in considerable -strength. No idea what has happened elsewhere. -Holding on in hopes of relief." Their position was -typical of many similar groups along the front, -marooned in the fog, and soon buried in the heart of -the advancing German army. The right of the 25th -Brigade had been thrust back, but on the left the -2nd Berkshires made a desperate resistance. The -whole front was intersected by a maze of abandoned -trenches, and it was along these that the enemy, -shrouded in the mist, first gained their fatal footing -upon the flank. The 2nd East Lancashires were -brought up in support, and a determined resistance -was made by the whole brigade within the main zone -of battle. The German tanks were up, however, and -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P322"></a>322}</span> -they proved as formidable in their hands as they have -often done in our own. Their construction was -cumbrous and their pace slow, but they were heavily -armed and very dangerous when once in action. -Eight of them, however, were destroyed by the -French anti-tank artillery. At 6.30 the 25th Brigade, -in shattered remnants, was back on the river at -Gernicourt. -</p> - -<p> -The attack on this front was developing from -the right, so that it came upon the 24th Brigade an -hour later than upon its eastern neighbour. The -2nd Northamptons were in front, and they were -driven in, but rallied on the battle zone and made -a very fine fight, until the German turning movement -from the south-east, which crossed the Miette south -of the battle zone, took the line in flank and rear. -In the end hardly a man of the two battalions engaged -got away, and Haig, the brigadier, with his staff, had -to cut their way out at the muzzle of their revolvers, -shooting many Germans who tried to intercept them. -The 23rd Brigade was attacked at about the same -time, and the 2nd West Yorkshires managed to hold -even the outpost line for a time. Then falling back -on the battle position this battalion, with the 2nd -Devons and 2nd Middlesex near the Bois des Buttes, -beat off every attack for a long time. The fatal -turning movement threatened to cut them off -entirely, but about 7.30 General Grogan, who had -set his men a grand example of valour, threw out a -defensive flank. He fell back eventually across the -Aisne south of Pontavert, while the enemy, following -closely upon his heels, occupied that place. -</p> - -<p> -Many outstanding deeds of valour are recorded -in all the British divisions during this truly terrible -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P323"></a>323}</span> -experience, but two have been immortalised by their -inclusion in the orders of the day of General Berthelot, -the French general in command. The first concerned -the magnificent conduct of the 5th Battery R.F.A., -which, under its commander, Captain Massey, stuck -to its work while piece after piece was knocked out -by an overwhelming shower of German shells. When -all the guns were gone Captain Massey, with -Lieutenants Large and Bution and a handful of survivors, -fought literally to the death with Lewis guns and -rifles. One man with a rifle, who fought his way back, -and three unarmed gunners who were ordered to -retire, were all who escaped to tell the heroic tale. -The other record was that of the 2nd Devons, who -went on fighting when all resistance round them was -over, and were only anxious, under their gallant -Colonel Anderson-Morshead, to sell their lives at the -price of covering the retreat of their comrades. Their -final stand was on a small hill which covered the river -crossing, and while they remained and died themselves -they entreated their retiring comrades to -hurry through their ranks. Machine-guns ringed -them round and shot them to pieces, but they fought -while a cartridge was left, and then went down -stabbing to the last. They were well avenged, however, -by one post of the Devons which was south of the -river and included many Lewis guns under Major -Cope. These men killed great numbers of Germans -crossing the stream, and eventually made good their -own retreat. The main body of the battalion was -destroyed, however, and the episode was heroic. In the -words of the French document: "The whole battalion, -Colonel, 38 officers, and 552 in the ranks, offered their -lives in ungrudging sacrifice to the sacred cause of the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P324"></a>324}</span> -Allies." A word as to the valour of the enemy would -also seem to be called for. They came on with great -fire and ardour. "The Germans seemed mad," says -one spectator, "they came rushing over the ground -with leaps and bounds. The slaughter was frightful. -We could not help shooting them down." -</p> - -<p> -Whilst this smashing attack had been delivered -upon the Fiftieth and Eighth Divisions, Campbell's -Twenty-first Division on the extreme right of the -British line had also endured a hard day of battle. -They covered a position from Loivre to Berry-au-Bac, -and had all three brigades in action, six battalions -in the line, and three in reserve. Their experience -was much the same as that of the other divisions, save -that they were on the edge of the storm and escaped -its full fury. The greatest pressure in the morning -was upon the 62nd Brigade on the left, which was in -close liaison with the 25th Brigade of the Eighth -Division. By eight o'clock the posts at Moscou and -the Massif de la Marine had been overrun by the -overpowering advance of the enemy. About nine o'clock -the 7th Brigade from the Twenty-fifth Division came -up to the St. Aubœf Wood within the divisional -area and supported the weakening line, which had -lost some of the outer posts and was holding on -staunchly to others. The Germans were driving down -upon the west and getting behind the position of the -Twenty-first Division, for by one o'clock they had -pushed the 1st Sherwood Foresters of the Eighth -Division, still fighting most manfully, out of the -Gernicourt Wood, so that the remains of this division -with the 75th Brigade were on a line west of -Bouffignereux. This involved the whole left of the -Twenty-first Division, which had to swing back the 62nd -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P325"></a>325}</span> -Brigade from a point south of Cormicy, keeping in -touch with the 7th Brigade which formed the -connecting link. At 3.20 Cormicy had been almost -surrounded and the garrison driven out, while the -64th Brigade on the extreme right was closely pressed -at Cauroy. At six in the evening the 7th Brigade -had been driven in at Bouffignereux, and the German -infantry, beneath a line of balloons and aeroplanes, -was swarming up the valley between Guyencourt -and Chalons le Vergeur, which latter village they -reached about eight, thus placing themselves on the -left rear of the Twenty-first Division. Night fell -upon as anxious a situation as ever a harassed general -and weary troops were called upon to face. The -Twenty-first had lost few prisoners and only six guns -during the long day of battle, but its left had been -continually turned, its position was strategically -impossible, and its losses in casualties were very -heavy. It was idle to deny that the army of General -von Boehm had made a very brilliant attack and -gained a complete victory with, in the end, such solid -trophies as 45,000 Allied prisoners and at least 400 -guns. It was the third great blow of the kind within -nine weeks, and Foch showed himself to be a man of -iron in being able to face it, and not disclose those -hidden resources which could not yet be used to the -full advantage. -</p> - -<p> -The capture of Pontavert might have been a -shattering blow to the retreating force, but it would -seem that the Germans who had pushed through so -rapidly were strong enough to hold it but not, in the -first instance, strong enough to extend their -operations. By the afternoon of May 27 they were over -at Maizy also, and the force at Concevreux, which -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P326"></a>326}</span> -consisted of the remains of the Fiftieth and part of the -Eighth and Twenty-fifty Divisions, was in danger of -capture. At 2 P.M. the Germans had Muscourt. -The mixed and disorganised British force then fell -back to near Ventelay, where they fought back once -more at the German advance, the Fiftieth Division -being in the centre, with the 75th and 7th Brigades -on its right. This latter brigade had been under -the orders of the Twenty-first Division and had -helped to hold the extreme right of the position, but -was now involved in the general retreat. Already, -however, news came from the west that the Germans -had not got merely to the Aisne but to the Vesle, and -the left flank and rear of the Ninth Corps was -hopelessly compromised. Under continuous pressure, -turning ever to hold up their pursuers, the remains -of the three divisions, with hardly any artillery -support, fell back to the south. On the western -wing of the battle Soissons had fallen, and Rheims -was in a most perilous position, though by some -miracle she succeeded in preserving her shattered -streets and desecrated cathedral from the presence -of the invaders. -</p> - -<p> -The Eighth Division had withdrawn during the -night to Montigny, and, in consequence, the Twenty-first -Division took the general line, Hermonville-Montigny -Ridge, the 64th Brigade on the right, -with the 62nd and 7th in succession on the left. -Every position was outflanked, however, touch was -lost with the Eighth on the left, and the attack -increased continually in its fury. Prouilly fell, and -the orders arrived that the next line would be the -River Vesle, Jonchery marking the left of the Eighth -Division. On the right the Twenty-first continued -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P327"></a>327}</span> -to be in close touch with the French Forty-fifth -Division. All units were by this time very -intermingled, tired, and disorganised. The 15th Durhams, -who had fought a desperate rearguard action all the -morning upon the ridge north of Hervelon Château, -had almost ceased to exist. The one gleam of light -was the rumoured approach of the One hundred and -thirty-fourth French Division from the south. It -had been hoped to hold the line of the River Vesle, -but by the evening of May 28 it was known that the -Germans had forced a passage at Jonchery, where -the bridge would have been destroyed but for the -wounding of the sapper officer and the explosion of the -wagon containing the charges. On the other hand, -the Forty-fifth French Division on the right was -fighting splendidly, and completely repulsed a heavy -German attack. When night fell the British were -still for the most part along the line of the Vesle, -but it was clear that it was already turned upon the -west. Some idea of the truly frightful losses incurred -by the troops in these operations may be formed from -the fact that the Eighth Division alone had lost 7000 -men out of a total force of about 9000 infantry. -</p> - -<p> -About eight in the morning of May 29 the enemy -renewed his attack, pushing in here and there along -the line in search of a gap. One attempt was made -upon the Twenty-first Division, from Branscourt to -Sapicourt, which was met and defeated by the 1st -Lincolns and 6th Leicesters. Great activity and -movement could be seen among the German troops -north of the river, but the country is wooded and hilly, -so that observation is difficult. Towards evening, -the right flank of the fighting line was greatly -comforted by the arrival of the French Division already -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P328"></a>328}</span> -mentioned, and the hearts of the British were warmed -by the news that one of their own divisions had come -within the zone of battle, as will now be described. -</p> - -<p> -When the Ninth Corps was sent to the Aisne, -another very weary British division, the Nineteenth -(Jeffreys), had also been told off for the French -front with the same object of rest, and the same -actual result of desperate service. So strenuous -had the work of this division been upon the Somme -and in Flanders, that the ranks were almost entirely -composed of new drafts from England and Wales. -Their destination was the Chalons front, where they -remained for exactly twelve days before the urgent -summons arrived from the breaking line on the -Aisne, and they were hurried westwards to endeavour -to retrieve or at least to minimise the disaster. They -arrived on the morning of May 29, and found things -in a most critical condition. The Germans had pushed -far south of the Aisne, despite the continued resistance -of the survivors of the Eighth, Twenty-fifth, and -Fiftieth British Divisions, and of several French -divisions, these débris of units being mixed up and -confused, with a good deal of mutual recrimination, -as is natural enough when men in overwrought -conditions meet with misfortunes, the origin of which -they cannot understand. When troops are actually -mixed in this fashion, the difference in language -becomes a very serious matter. Already the Allied -line had been pushed far south of Fismes, and the -position of the units engaged was very obscure to the -Higher Command, but the British line, such as it was, -was north of Savigny on the evening of May 28. -Soissons had fallen, Rheims was in danger, and it was -doubtful whether even the line of the Marne could -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P329"></a>329}</span> -be held. Amid much chaos it must, indeed, have -been with a sense of relief that the Allied generals -found a disciplined and complete division come into -the front, however young the material of which it -was composed. -</p> - -<p> -A gap had opened in the line between the Thirteenth -French Division at Lhery and the One hundred and -fifty-fourth near Faverolles, and into this the 57th -and 58th Brigades were thrust. The artillery had -not yet come up, and the rest of the Allied artillery -was already either lost or destroyed, so there was little -support from the guns. It was a tough ordeal for boys -fresh from the English and Welsh training camps. On -the left were the 10th Worcesters and 8th Gloucesters. -On the right the 9th Welsh Fusiliers and 9th Welsh. -It was hoped to occupy Savigny and Brouillet, but -both villages were found to be swarming with the -enemy. Remains of the Eighth and Twenty-fifth -Divisions were still, after three days of battle, with -their faces to the foe on the right of the Nineteenth -Division. They were very weary, however, and the -2nd Wiltshires were brought up to thicken the line -and cover the divisional flank north of Bouleuse. -This was the situation at 2 P.M. of May 29. -</p> - -<p> -The tide of battle was still rolling to the south, and -first Savigny and then Faverolles were announced as -being in German hands. A mixed force of odd units -had been formed and placed under General Craigie-Hackett, -but this now came back through the ranks -of the Nineteenth Division. On the right also the -hard-pressed and exhausted troops in front, both -French and British, passed through the 2nd Wiltshires, -and endeavoured to reform behind them. The -Nineteenth Division from flank to flank became the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P330"></a>330}</span> -fighting front, and the Germans were seen pouring -down in extended order from the high ground north -of Lhery and of Treslon. On the right the remains -of the Eighth Division had rallied, and it was now -reinforced by the 2nd Wilts, the 4th Shropshire Light -Infantry, and the 8th Staffords, the latter battalions -from the 56th Brigade. With this welcome addition -General Heneker, who had fought such a long uphill -fight, was able in the evening of May 29 to form a -stable line on the Bouleuse Ridge. By this time the -guns of the Nineteenth Division, the 87th and 88th -Brigades Royal Field Artillery, had roared into -action—a welcome sound to the hard-pressed infantry -in front. There was a solid British line now from -Lhery on the left to the eastern end of the Bouleuse -Ridge, save that one battalion of Senegal Tirailleurs -was sandwiched in near Faverolles. Liaison had been -established with the Thirteenth and One hundred -and fifty-fourth French Divisions to left and right. -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-330-t"></a> -<br /> -<a href="images/img-330.jpg"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-330-t.jpg" alt="British Line on Chemin des Dames" /> -</a> -<br /> -British Line on Chemin des Dames -</p> - -<hr /> - -<p> -The early morning of May 30 witnessed a very -violent attack along all this portion of the line. By -6 A.M. the enemy had worked round the left flank of -the 10th Worcesters at Lhery, driving before them -some of the troops, French and British, who were -exhausted from the long battle. It is difficult for -either writer or reader to imagine the condition of men -who have fought a losing battle for three days without -cessation. If Foch saved up his reserves during -these weeks of agony, it was surely at a precious cost -to the men who bore the weight. The left company -of the 10th Worcesters lost all its officers and 60 per -cent of its men, and Lhery had to be left to the enemy. -Meanwhile, the Senegalese, who, like all tropical troops, -are more formidable in attack than in defence, were -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P331"></a>331}</span> -driven in near Faverolles, the Germans making a -frontal attack in eight lines. They pushed through -the gap, outflanked the 9th Welsh Fusiliers on the -left and the 2nd Wiltshires on the right, cutting -off a platoon of the former battalion. Both these -battalions suffered very heavily, the Welsh Fusiliers -especially being cut to pieces. At both ends of the -line the remains of the front battalions had to fall -back upon their supports. The 74th Composite -Brigade, already referred to as being under General -Craigie-Hackett, fought on the left of the Nineteenth -Division, and was ordered to hold the Lhery-Rohigny -Road. The pressure, however, upon these tired -troops and upon the remains of the 10th Worcesters -continued to be very great, and by 11 A.M. the situation -was critical on the left of the line, the flank having -been driven in, and the 8th Gloucesters enfiladed so -that the D'Aulnay Wood could no longer be held. -These changes enabled the Germans to close in upon -the 9th Welsh and the remains of the 9th Welsh -Fusiliers, attacking them in front and flank. The -troops on their right gave way, and the assailants -were then able to get round the other flank of these -two devoted battalions, and practically to surround -them, so that very few won their way back. The -whole front line had gone with the exception of the -10th Warwicks on the left. For a time it seemed -as if there was nothing to limit this powerful thrust -of the enemy, but in the usual miraculous fashion a -composite party of odds and ends, drawn from -stragglers and details, hastily swept together by -General Jeffreys, were hurried up to the high ground -south of Ville-en-Tardenois. With the aid of four -machine-guns from the Nineteenth Division this force -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P332"></a>332}</span> -held the victorious enemy from coming further, -covered the left flank of the 10th Warwicks, and -formed a bastion from which a new wall could be -built. A second bastion had been made by the -5th South Wales Borderers, pioneers of the Nineteenth -Division, who had dug in south of Rohigny and -absolutely refused to shift. Up to 2 P.M. the 2nd -Wilts also held their ground north of Bouleuse. -Between these fixed points the 57th and 58th Brigades -were able to reorganise, the 15th Warwicks and 9th -Cheshires covering the respective fronts. On the -right the Twenty-eighth French Division had relieved -the One hundred and fifty-fourth, while the 4th -Shropshires and 8th North Staffords, both still intact, -formed a link between the two Allies. Touch had -been lost on the left, and patrols were sent out to -endeavour to bridge the gap. At this period General -Jeffreys of the Nineteenth Division commanded the -whole British line. A serious loss had been caused -by the wounding of General Glasgow, the experienced -leader of the 58th Brigade. General Heath of the -56th Brigade took over the command of both units. -</p> - -<p> -The Germans had reached their limit for the day, -though some attempt at an attack was made in the -afternoon from the wood of Aulnay, which was beaten -back by the British fire. It was rumoured, however, -that on the left, outside the British area, he was -making progress south of Rohigny, which made -General Jeffreys uneasy for his left wing. Up to now -the British had been under the general command of -the Ninth British Corps, but this was now withdrawn -from the line, and the Nineteenth Division passed -to the Fifth French Corps under General Pellé, an -who left a most pleasant impression upon the -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P333"></a>333}</span> -minds of all who had to deal with him. On May 31 -the front consisted of the French Fortieth on the left, -the French Twenty-eighth on the right, and the -British Nineteenth between them, the latter covering -12,000 yards. The weary men of the original divisions -were drawn out into reserve after as severe an -ordeal as any have endured during the whole war. -The 74th Composite Brigade was also relieved. Some -idea of the losses on the day before may be gathered -from the fact that the two Welsh battalions were now -formed into a single composite company, which was -added to the 9th Cheshires. -</p> - -<p> -The morning of the 31st was occupied in a severe -duel of artillery, in which serious losses were sustained -from the German fire, but upon the other hand a -threatened attack to the south-west of Ville-en-Tardenois -was dispersed by the British guns. About two -o'clock the enemy closed once more upon the left, -striking hard at the 6th Cheshires, who had been -left behind in this quarter when the rest of the 74th -Composite Brigade had been relieved. The 10th -Warwicks were also attacked, and the whole wing -was pushed back, the enemy entering the village of -Ville-en-Tardenois. The Warwicks formed up again -on high ground south-east of the village, the line being -continued by the remains of the 10th Worcesters and -8th Gloucesters. Whilst the left wing was driven in, -the right was also fiercely attacked, the enemy -swarming down in great numbers upon the French, -and the 9th Cheshires. The former were driven off -the Aubilly Ridge, and the latter had to give ground -before the rush. -</p> - -<p> -General Jeffreys, who was on the spot, ordered an -immediate counter-attack of the 2nd Wilts to retrieve -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P334"></a>334}</span> -the situation. Before it could develop, however, -the French were again advancing on the right, together -with the 4th Shropshires. A local counter-attack -had also been delivered by the 9th Cheshires, led on -horseback with extreme gallantry by Colonel Cunninghame. -His horse was shot under him, but he continued -to lead the troops on foot, and his Cheshire -infantry followed him with grim determination into -their old positions. The ground was regained though -the losses were heavy, Colonel Cunninghame being -among the wounded. -</p> - -<p> -The attack of the 2nd Wiltshires had meanwhile -been developed, and was launched under heavy fire -about seven in the evening, moving up to the north -of Chambrecy. The position was gained, the -Wiltshires connecting up with the Cheshires on their -right and the Gloucesters on their left. Meanwhile, -advances of the enemy on the flank were broken up -by artillery fire, the 87th and 88th Brigades of guns -doing splendid work, and sweeping the heads of every -advance from the Tardenois-Chambrecy Road. So -ended another very severe day of battle. The buffer -was acting and the advance was slowing. Already -its limit seemed to be marked. -</p> - -<p> -On the morning of May 31 the British position -extended from a line on the left connecting -Ville-en-Tardenois and Champlat. Thence the 57th -Brigade covered the ground up to the stream which -runs from Sarcy to Chambrecy. Then the 56th -Brigade began, and carried on to 1000 yards east of -the river Ardres. The line of battalions (pitiful -remnants for the most part) was from the left, 10th -Warwicks, 10th Worcesters, 8th Gloucesters, 2nd -Wilts, 9th Cheshires, 8th Staffords, and 4th Shropshires. -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P335"></a>335}</span> -Neither brigade could muster 1000 rifles, -while the 58th Brigade in reserve was reduced to 350. -The three sapper field companies, the personnel of the -trench-mortar batteries, and every straggler who -could be scraped up was thrust forward to thicken -the line. -</p> - -<p> -The German attack was launched once more at -4 P.M. on June 1, striking up against the Fortieth -French Division and the left of the British line. -Under the weight of the assault the French were -pushed back, and the enemy penetrated the Bonval -Wood, crossed the Tardenois-Jonchery Road, and -thrust their way into the woods of Courmont and La -Cohette. Here, however, the attack was held, and -the junction between the French and the Warwicks -remained firm. The front of the 57th Brigade was -attacked at the same time, the 8th Gloucesters and -the 2nd Wilts on their right being very hard pressed. -The enemy had got Sarcy village, which enabled -them to get on the flank of the Gloucesters, and to -penetrate between them and the Wiltshires. It was -a very critical situation. The right company of the -Gloucesters was enfiladed and rolled up, while the -centre was in deadly danger. The left flank and the -Worcesters held tight, but the rest of the line was -being driven down the hill towards Chambrecy. A -splendid rally was effected, however, by Captain -Pope of B Company, who led his west countrymen -up the hill once more, driving the enemy back to his -original line. For this feat he received the D.S.O. -At this most critical period of the action, great help -was given to the British by the 2nd Battalion of the -22nd French Regiment, led in person by Commandant -de Lasbourde, which joined in Pope's counter-attack, -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P336"></a>336}</span> -afterwards relieving the remains of the Gloucester's. -Lasbourde also received the D.S.O. The success of -the attack was due partly to the steadiness of the -10th Worcesters on the left, who faced right and poured -a cross-fire into the German stormers. It was a -complete, dramatic little victory, by which the high -ground north of Chambrecy was completely regained. -</p> - -<p> -A withdrawal of the whole line was, however, -necessary on account of the German penetration -into the left, which had brought them complete -possession of the Wood of Courmont on the British -left rear. The movement was commenced at seven -in the evening, and was completed in most excellent -order before midnight. This new line, stretching -from Quisles to Eligny, included one very important -position, the hill of Bligny, which was a prominence -from which the enemy could gain observation and -command over the whole valley of the Ardres, making -all communications and battery positions precarious. -</p> - -<p> -The general order of units in the line on June 2 -was much the same as before, the 5th South Wales -Borderers being held in reserve on the left, and the -2/22nd French on the right of the Nineteenth -Division. These positions were held unbroken from -this date for a fortnight, when the division was -eventually relieved after its most glorious term of -service. The British Ninth Corps was busily engaged -during this time in reorganising into composite -battalions the worn and mixed fragments of the -Eighth, Twenty-fifth, and Fiftieth Divisions, which -were dribbled up as occasion served to the new -battle-line. A composite machine-gun company -was also organised and sent up. -</p> - -<p> -Several days of comparative quiet followed, during -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P337"></a>337}</span> -which the sappers were strengthening the new positions, -and the Germans were gathering fresh forces -for a renewed attack. Congratulatory messages from -General Franchet d'Esperey, the French Army Commander, -and from their own Corps General put fresh -heart into the overtaxed men. There was no fresh -attack until June 6. On that date the line of -defence from the left consisted of the Fortieth French -Division, the Eighth Division Composite Battalion -(could a phrase mean more than that?), the 10th -Warwicks, 10th Worcesters, 8th Gloucesters, 58th -Brigade Composite Battalion, 9th Cheshires, 8th North -Staffords, 4th Shropshires, and Twenty-eighth French -Division. At 3 A.M. there began a tremendous -bombardment, mostly of gas-shell, which gave way -to the infantry advance at 4 A.M., the attack striking -the right and centre of the British line, in the section -of the all-important Bligny Hill. As the enemy -advanced upon the front of the 58th Composite -Battalion, the men who were the survivors of the -2nd Wilts, 9th Welsh Fusiliers, and 9th Welsh, fired -a volley, and then, in a fashion which would have -delighted the old Duke, sprang from their cover and -charged with the bayonet, hurling the Germans down -the slope. It was a complete repulse, as was a second -attack upon the front of the Gloucesters and Worcesters -who, with a similar suggestion of the legendary -Peninsula tactics, waited till they could see their -foemen's eyes before firing, with the result that the -storming column simply vanished, flinging itself -down in the long grass and hiding there till nightfall. -There was no attack on the left of the line, but the -9th Cheshires and the North Staffords both had their -share in the victory. The Twenty-eighth French -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P338"></a>338}</span> -Division on the right had given a little before the -storm, and the British line was bent back to keep -touch. Otherwise it was absolutely intact, and the -whole terrain in front of it was covered with German -dead. -</p> - -<p> -The German is a determined fighter, however, -and his generals well knew that without the command -of Bligny Hill no further progress was possible for -him in the general advance. Therefore they drew -together all their strength and renewed the attack at -11 A.M. with such energy and determination that they -gained the summit. An immediate counter by the -9th Cheshires, though most gallantly urged, was -unable to restore the situation, but fortunately a -battalion was at hand which had not lost so grievously -in the previous fighting. This was the 4th Shropshires, -which now charged up the hill, accompanied -by the remains of the undefeated 9th Cheshires. The -attack was delivered with magnificent dash and spirit, -and it ended by the complete reconquest of the hill. -For this feat the 4th Shropshires received as a battalion -the rare and coveted distinction of the Croix de Guerre -with the palm. This local success strengthened the -hands of the French on the right, who were able -in the late afternoon to come forward and to retake -the village of Bligny. June 6 was a most successful -day, and gave fresh assurance that the German advance -was spent. -</p> - -<p> -There was no further close fighting in this -neighbourhood up to June 19, when the young soldiers -of the Nineteenth and other divisions were withdrawn -after a sustained effort which no veterans could have -beaten. In the official report of General Pellé to his -own Higher Command, there occurs the generous -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P339"></a>339}</span> -sentence: "L'impression produite sur le moral des -troupes françaises par la belle attitude de leurs alliés -a ét très bonne." Both Allies experienced the -difficulty of harmonising troops who act under -different traditions and by different methods. At -first these hindrances were very great, but with fuller -knowledge they tended to disappear, and ended in -complete mutual confidence, founded upon a long -experience of loyalty and devotion to the common -end. -</p> - -<p> -From this date until the end of June no event of -importance affecting the British forces occurred upon -the Western front. The German attack extended -gradually in the Aisne district, until it had reached -Montdidier, and it penetrated upon the front as far -south as the forest of Villers-Cotteret, where it -threatened the town of Compiègne. In the middle -of June the German front was within forty miles of -Paris, and a great gun specially constructed for the -diabolical work was tossing huge shells at regular -intervals into the crowded city. The bursting of one -of these projectiles amidst the congregation of a -church on a Sunday, with an appalling result in -killed and wounded, was one of those incidents which -Germans of the future will, we hope, regard with the -same horror as the rest of the world did at the time. -</p> - -<p> -The cause of the Allies seemed at this hour to be -at the very lowest. They had received severe if -glorious defeats on the Somme, in Flanders, and on -the Aisne. Their only success lay in putting limits -to German victories. And yet with that deep -prophetic instinct which is latent in the human mind, -there was never a moment when they felt more assured -of the ultimate victory, nor when the language of -<span class="pagenum">{<a id="P340"></a>340}</span> -their leaders was prouder and more firm. This -general confidence was all the stranger, since we can -see as we look back that the situation was on the face -of it most desperate, and that those factors which were -to alter it—the genius of Foch, the strength of his -reserves, and the numbers and power of the American -Army—were largely concealed from the public. In -the midst of the gloom the one bright light shone -from Italy, where, on June 17, a strong attack of -the Austrians across the Piave was first held and then -thrown back to the other bank. In this most timely -victory Lord Cavan's force, which now consisted of -three British Divisions, the Seventh, Twenty-third, -and Forty-eighth, played a glorious part. So, at -the close of the half year Fate's curtain rang down, -to rise again upon the most dramatic change in -history. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p><a id="chap12"></a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum">{<a id="P341"></a>341}</span></p> - -<h3> -INDEX -</h3> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Ablainzeville, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P35">35</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Acklom, Colonel, <a href="#P112">112</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Aisne, British on the, <a href="#P312">312-338</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Albert, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P65">65</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P70">70</a>, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P76">76</a>, -<a href="#P199">199</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P205">205</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, <a href="#P207">207</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Allenby, General Sir Edmund, <a href="#P1">1</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Allgood, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P43">43</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -America, preparations by, <a href="#P5">5</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Amiens, <a href="#P65">65</a>, <a href="#P114">114</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P152">152</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P312">312</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Anderson, Colonel, V.C., <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Anderson-Morshead, Colonel, <a href="#P323">323</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Anstey, Colonel, <a href="#P135">135</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Armentières, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, -<a href="#P248">248</a>, <a href="#P260">260</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Armin, General von, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P261">261</a>, <a href="#P303">303</a>, -<a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Armitage, Colonel, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Armstrong, Captain, <a href="#P231">231</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Arras, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P44">44</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Aveluy Wood, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, <a href="#P207">207</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a>, -<a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ayette, <a href="#P34">34</a>, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Bac St. Maur, <a href="#P236">236</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a>, -<a href="#P248">248</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bailey, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P78">78</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bailleul, <a href="#P44">44</a>, <a href="#P45">45</a>, <a href="#P257">257</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P259">259</a>, <a href="#P260">260</a>, -<a href="#P262">262</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bainbridge, General Sir E., <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, -<a href="#P273">273</a>, <a href="#P302">302</a>, <a href="#P312">312</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Baird, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P273">273</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bambridge, Captain, <a href="#P266">266</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Banham, Major, <a href="#P132">132</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bapaume, <a href="#P56">56</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P60">60</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Barisis, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P81">81</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Barrett, Colonel Moulton, <a href="#P40">40</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beal, Lieutenant, <a href="#P25">25</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beaumetz, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beaumont Hamel, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P65">65</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P74">74</a>, -<a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Beauvais, <a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P158">158</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bellingham, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P139">139</a>, -<a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bell-Smyth, General, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Below, General Otto von, <a href="#P9">9</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Belton, Colonel, <a href="#P143">143</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bennett, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P210">210</a>, -<a href="#P272">272</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bennett, Major (Cornwalls), <a href="#P163">163</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bennett, Major (Oxfords), <a href="#P141">141</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bernafoy Wood, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Berney, Dr., <a href="#P45">45</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Berthelot, General, <a href="#P323">323</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bertie, Major, <a href="#P163">163</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bertincourt, <a href="#P56">56</a>, <a href="#P58">58</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bethell, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bethencourt, <a href="#P122">122</a>, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, -<a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Biddle, Sergeant-Major, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bilton, Colonel, <a href="#P162">162</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Blackall, Colonel, <a href="#P52">52</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Blacklock, General, <a href="#P148">148</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bligny, <a href="#P336">336</a>, <a href="#P337">337</a>, <a href="#P338">338</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Boehm, General von, <a href="#P325">325</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bois d'Aquenne, <a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, <a href="#P218">218</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Boyd-Moss, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P231">231</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Boyelles, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Braithwaite, General, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bridgford, General, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -British Armies, general disposition -of, in March 1918, <a href="#P5">5-7</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Buchoir, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P173">173</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bucquoy, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P71">71</a>, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bullecourt, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P19">19</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Burt, Colonel, <a href="#P182">182</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bushell, Colonel, <a href="#P185">185</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Bution, Lieutenant, <a href="#P323">323</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Butler, General, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P81">81</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, -<a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, <a href="#P189">189</a>, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a>, -<a href="#P215">215</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Butler, Brigadier-General Leslie, <a href="#P264">264</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Buverchy, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Byng, General Sir Julian, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P13">13</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P61">61</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Cachy, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cade, Colonel, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cailloux, <a href="#P230">230</a>, <a href="#P233">233</a>, <a href="#P234">234</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -California Plateau, <a href="#P313">313</a>, <a href="#P315">315</a>, <a href="#P316">316</a>, -<a href="#P319">319</a>, <a href="#P320">320</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cambrai, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P48">48</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P221">221</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cameron, General, <a href="#P254">254</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a>, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Campbell, General, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, -<a href="#P306">306</a>, <a href="#P312">312</a>, <a href="#P324">324</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Campbell, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P31">31</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Canizy, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P164">164</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cape, General, <a href="#P148">148</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Carey, General, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P150">150</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Carter-Campbell, General, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cator, General, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P111">111</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cavan, General Lord, <a href="#P340">340</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cayley, General, <a href="#P243">243</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chalmers, Captain, <a href="#P70">70</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chambrecy, <a href="#P334">334</a>, <a href="#P336">336</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chandler, Captain, <a href="#P92">92</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chapel Hill, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Charlton, Colonel, <a href="#P98">98</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chauny, <a href="#P182">182</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, <a href="#P188">188</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a>, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Chemin des Dames, battle of, <a href="#P312">312-338</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Clare, Captain, <a href="#P321">321</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Clark, Major, <a href="#P133">133</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Clarke, Colonel Stanley, <a href="#P42">42</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Clemenceau, M., <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Clery, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Combe, Captain, <a href="#P170">170</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Combles, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Congreve, General, V.C., <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P61">61</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a>, -<a href="#P130">130</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Contalmaison, <a href="#P61">61</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Contescourt, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cope, Major, <a href="#P323">323</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cotton, Colonel, <a href="#P163">163</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cotton, Lieutenant, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cowper, General, <a href="#P104">104</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Craig, ——, <a href="#P219">219</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Craigie-Hackett, General, <a href="#P329">329</a>, <a href="#P331">331</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Craonelle, <a href="#P319">319</a>, <a href="#P320">320</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Craonne, <a href="#P313">313</a>, <a href="#P315">315</a>, <a href="#P319">319</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Croisilles, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Croix du Bac, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cronin, Lieutenant, <a href="#P37">37</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cross, Lance-Corporal, <a href="#P28">28</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Crossthwaite, Colonel, <a href="#P107">107</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Crown Prince, the, <a href="#P9">9</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Crozat Canal, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P111">111</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P189">189</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Crozier, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P31">31</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cubbon, Major, <a href="#P69">69</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cubitt, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P253">253</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cunningham, Lieutenant, <a href="#P85">85</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Cunninghame, Colonel, <a href="#P334">334</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Curling, Colonel, <a href="#P191">191</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Currie, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P307">307</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Da Costa, General, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P229">229</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Daly, General, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dann, Colonel, <a href="#P112">112</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dawes, Colonel, <a href="#P59">59</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dawson, General, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Debeney, General, <a href="#P214">214</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -De Lisle, General, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a>, <a href="#P311">311</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -De Mitry, General, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Demuin, <a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P148">148</a>, -<a href="#P150">150</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dennis, Captain, <a href="#P108">108</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dent, Lieutenant, <a href="#P266">266</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dernacourt, <a href="#P75">75</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P205">205</a>, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dervicke-Jones, Colonel, <a href="#P180">180</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Deverell, General, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Diebold, General, <a href="#P180">180</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dimmer, Colonel, V.C., <a href="#P99">99</a>, <a href="#P141">141</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Doignies, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dougall, Captain, V.C., <a href="#P251">251</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Downie, Colonel M'Alpine, <a href="#P100">100</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duchesne, General, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dudbridge, Lieutenant, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Dugan, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P132">132</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Duncan, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P161">161</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Eardley-Wilmot, Colonel, <a href="#P26">26</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ecoust, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P20">20</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Elstob, Colonel, <a href="#P102">102</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Epehy, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ervillers, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P29">29</a>, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Esmery-Hallon, <a href="#P160">160</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P176">176</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Esperey, General Franchet d', <a href="#P337">337</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Essigny, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P114">114</a>, -<a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Estaires, <a href="#P229">229</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a>, -<a href="#P243">243</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Evans, Captain, <a href="#P257">257</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Failes, Captain, <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fanshawe, General Sir E. A., <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P47">47</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fayolle, General, <a href="#P131">131</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Feetham, General, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P147">147</a>, -<a href="#P148">148</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fergusson, General Sir Charles, <a href="#P10">10</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Festubert, <a href="#P233">233</a>, <a href="#P234">234</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a>, <a href="#P294">294</a>, -<a href="#P296">296</a>, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fins, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P57">57</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fismes, <a href="#P314">314</a>, <a href="#P318">318</a>, <a href="#P328">328</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Flesquières, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Fleurbaix, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Foch, Marshal, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a>, <a href="#P325">325</a>, -<a href="#P330">330</a>, <a href="#P340">340</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Forbes, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P31">31</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Franks, General, <a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Frelinghien, <a href="#P238">238</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Freyberg, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Frières Wood, <a href="#P178">178</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P186">186</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Frise, <a href="#P130">130</a>; <a href="#P132">132</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Gauche Wood, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gavrelle, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P44">44</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -German East Africa, operations in, <a href="#P2">2</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gibson, Colonel, <a href="#P316">316</a>, <a href="#P317">317</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Girdwood, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P36">36</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Givenchy, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P228">228</a>, <a href="#P230">230</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a>, -<a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a>, <a href="#P294">294</a>, <a href="#P295">295</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Glasgow, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P215">215</a>, -<a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Goodman, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P100">100</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gore, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gorringe, General, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, <a href="#P209">209</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gosling, Lieutenant, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gosset, Colonel, <a href="#P148">148</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gough, General Sir Hubert, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P9">9</a>, <a href="#P12">12</a>, -<a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P81">81</a>, <a href="#P114">114</a>, <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a>, -<a href="#P202">202</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Grant, General, <a href="#P115">115</a>, <a href="#P142">142</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Grant, ——, <a href="#P133">133</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Green, Captain, <a href="#P255">255</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Greenly, General, <a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P192">192</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gribble, Captain, V.C., <a href="#P56">56</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Griffin, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Griffin, Colonel, <a href="#P321">321</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Griffiths, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P102">102</a>, <a href="#P253">253</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Grogan, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P315">315</a>, <a href="#P322">322</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gunner, Major F., <a href="#P139">139</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Gunning, Captain, <a href="#P183">183</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Haig, Field-Marshal Sir Douglas, <a href="#P6">6</a>, -<a href="#P122">122</a>, <a href="#P200">200</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a>, <a href="#P224">224</a>, <a href="#P261">261</a>, <a href="#P310">310</a>, -<a href="#P311">311</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haig, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P322">322</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haking, General, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haldane, General Sir Aylmer, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P13">13</a>, -<a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P22">22</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hall, Lieutenant, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ham, <a href="#P82">82</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P160">160</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, -<a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hamilton-Gordon, General, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P312">312</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hancock, Colonel, <a href="#P140">140</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Handford, Captain, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hangard Wood, <a href="#P210">210</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, -<a href="#P219">219</a>, <a href="#P220">220</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hangest, <a href="#P173">173</a>, <a href="#P174">174</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hargicourt, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harman, General, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a>, <a href="#P191">191</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harper, General, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P47">47</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harrop, Lieutenant, <a href="#P165">165</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harston, Brigade-Major, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hartigan, Major, <a href="#P91">91</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Harvey, Colonel, <a href="#P142">142</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haslett, Major, <a href="#P319">319</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Havrincourt, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P54">54</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Haybittle, Captain, <a href="#P110">110</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hazebrouck, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, <a href="#P263">263</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a>, -<a href="#P271">271</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Headlam, General, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Heane, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P271">271</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Heath, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Heneker, General, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P128">128</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, -<a href="#P312">312</a>, <a href="#P318">318</a>, <a href="#P320">320</a>, <a href="#P330">330</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Henin, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Henin Hill, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a>, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hermies, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P51">51</a>, <a href="#P54">54</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Heudicourt, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Higginson, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P107">107</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hill, Colonel, <a href="#P132">132</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hilliard, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P43">43</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hindenburg Line, the, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P10">10</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hoath, Colonel, <a href="#P56">56</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hodgson, Lieutenant, <a href="#P256">256</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hollebeke, <a href="#P248">248</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Holnon Wood, <a href="#P157">157</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Horn, Colonel, <a href="#P73">73</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hornby, General, <a href="#P118">118</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Horne, General Sir H., <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a>, -<a href="#P311">311</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Houthulst Forest, <a href="#P6">6</a>, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Howitt, Major, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hull, General, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Humbert, General, <a href="#P189">189</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hunt, Colonel, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hurd, Corporal, <a href="#P280">280</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hutchinson, Colonel, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Hutier, General von, <a href="#P9">9</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Impey, Colonel, <a href="#P68">68</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ireland, Colonel, <a href="#P91">91</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Italy, operations in, <a href="#P4">4</a>, <a href="#P340">340</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Jackson, General, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P312">312</a>, <a href="#P318">318</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jackson, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P140">140</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jacob, General Sir C., <a href="#P8">8</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jacotin, Private, <a href="#P268">268</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -James, Colonel, <a href="#P38">38</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jeffreys, General, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P255">255</a>, -<a href="#P274">274</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a>, <a href="#P328">328</a>, <a href="#P331">331</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a>, <a href="#P333">333</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jeudwine, General Sir Hugh, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Johnson, Major, <a href="#P147">147</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jones, Captain, V.C., <a href="#P56">56</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Jussy, <a href="#P178">178</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Kelly, Captain, <a href="#P183">183</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kemmel, Mount, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a>, <a href="#P299">299</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a>, -<a href="#P301">301</a>, <a href="#P302">302</a>, <a href="#P304">304</a>, <a href="#P305">305</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kemmel, village, <a href="#P302">302</a>, <a href="#P306">306</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kemp-Welch, Colonel, <a href="#P280">280</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kent, Colonel, <a href="#P320">320</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kerensky, <a href="#P3">3</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Kidd, Lieutenant, <a href="#P92">92</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -La Bassée, <a href="#P6">6</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -La Fère, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P79">79</a>, <a href="#P111">111</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P114">114</a>, <a href="#P177">177</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lagnicourt, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lamotte, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P141">141</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Large, Lieutenant, <a href="#P323">323</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lasbourde, Commandant de, D.S.O., -<a href="#P335">335</a>, <a href="#P336">336</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -La Vacquerie, <a href="#P79">79</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Laventie, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P228">228</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lawford, General, <a href="#P31">31</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lawrie, General, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P53">53</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lawson, Colonel, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Leatheart, Major, <a href="#P318">318</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lee, General, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P218">218</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Fleming, Colonel, <a href="#P98">98</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lenin, <a href="#P3">3</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lens, <a href="#P6">6</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Plantin, <a href="#P230">230</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a>, <a href="#P232">232</a>, <a href="#P295">295</a>, <a href="#P297">297</a>, -<a href="#P298">298</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Quesnel, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P173">173</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Quesnoy, <a href="#P170">170</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Leslie, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P271">271</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lestrem, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a>, <a href="#P243">243</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lettow Vorbeck, General, <a href="#P2">2</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Le Verguier, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P95">95</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lewis, Lieutenant, <a href="#P266">266</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Liancourt, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Libermont, <a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P165">165</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Loisne, <a href="#P230">230</a>, <a href="#P232">232</a>, <a href="#P233">233</a>, <a href="#P295">295</a>, <a href="#P298">298</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Longueval, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P61">61</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Louverval, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P50">50</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ludendorff, General, <a href="#P8">8</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lumsdon, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P43">43</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Lys, battle of the: the Flanders -front, <a href="#P223">223-224</a>; German hopes, -<a href="#P224">224</a>; factors in favour of the -Allies, <a href="#P224">224-226</a>; disaster to -and retirement of Portuguese, -<a href="#P227">227-229</a>; Fifty-fifth Division -at Givenchy, <a href="#P230">230-234</a>; loss of -the Lys, <a href="#P235">235-246</a>; German -attack in the north, <a href="#P249">249-256</a>; -British retreat, <a href="#P256">256-257</a>; general -review of the situation, <a href="#P258">258-259</a>; -loss of Armentières, <a href="#P260">260</a>; -Sir Douglas Haig's "Win or -Die" message to his armies, -<a href="#P261">261-262</a>; 4th Guards Brigade -at Hazebrouck, <a href="#P263">263-270</a>; -arrival of First Australian -Division, <a href="#P270">270-273</a>; loss of Neuve -Eglise, <a href="#P275">275</a>, <a href="#P287">287-289</a>; -Nineteenth Division, <a href="#P286">286-287</a>, <a href="#P289">289-293</a>; -enemy attack on First -Division at Givenchy, <a href="#P294">294-298</a>; -attack on and fall of Kemmel, -<a href="#P300">300-304</a>; battle of Ridge Wood, -<a href="#P306">306-309</a>; review of month's -fighting on Flanders front, <a href="#P310">310-311</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -M'Carter, Dr., <a href="#P45">45</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -M'Cullagh, Colonel, <a href="#P45">45</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Macintosh, Captain, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -M'Intosh, Private, <a href="#P46">46</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mackenzie, General Colin, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a>, -<a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maclachlan, Colonel, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -MacLeod, Colonel, <a href="#P42">42</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -M'Leod, Colonel, <a href="#P116">116</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maissemy, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P99">99</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P104">104</a>, -<a href="#P114">114</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maitland, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P277">277</a>, -<a href="#P307">307</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Malassise Farm, <a href="#P91">91</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Malcolm, General, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mametz, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marcelcave, <a href="#P139">139</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P148">148</a>, <a href="#P151">151</a>, -<a href="#P204">204</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -March, Corporal, <a href="#P211">211</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marden, General, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P307">307</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maricourt, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marindin, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P125">125</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marshall, General, <a href="#P2">2</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Martin, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, -<a href="#P315">315</a>, <a href="#P317">317</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Marwitz, General von, <a href="#P9">9</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Massey, Captain, <a href="#P323">323</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maude, General Sir F. S., <a href="#P2">2</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Maxse, General Sir Ivor, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P81">81</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, -<a href="#P104">104</a>, <a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mayne, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P308">308</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Meerling, Captain, <a href="#P162">162</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mezières, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P147">147</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mennessis, <a href="#P178">178</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Merris, <a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Merville, <a href="#P228">228</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, -<a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mesopotamia, operations in, <a href="#P2">2</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Messines, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P248">248</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, -<a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P253">253</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a>, <a href="#P255">255</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a>, -<a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Meteren, <a href="#P263">263</a>, <a href="#P272">272</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P280">280</a>, -<a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mitchell, Colonel, <a href="#P43">43</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Monchy, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montauban, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P65">65</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Montdidier, <a href="#P196">196</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a>, <a href="#P339">339</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Moore, Colonel, <a href="#P164">164</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Moreuil, <a href="#P147">147</a>, <a href="#P148">148</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P175">175</a>, -<a href="#P199">199</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Mory, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P29">29</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Moyencourt, <a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Moyenneville, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Nesham, Major, <a href="#P25">25</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nesle, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a>, -<a href="#P169">169</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Neuf Berquin, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Neuve Eglise, <a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a>, <a href="#P274">274</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a>, -<a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a>, -<a href="#P289">289</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Neuville Vitasse, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nicholson, General, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a>, -<a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nieppe, <a href="#P248">248</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a>, <a href="#P257">257</a>, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nollet, General, <a href="#P152">152</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Noreuil, <a href="#P182">182</a>, <a href="#P186">186</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Noreuille, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P19">19</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Noyon, <a href="#P180">180</a>, <a href="#P191">191</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Nugent, General, <a href="#P102">102</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Offoy, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P163">163</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -O'Gowan, General Wanless, <a href="#P26">26</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Oppy, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P44">44</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -O'Sullivan, Sergeant, <a href="#P28">28</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Pagan, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Paget, Brigade-Major, <a href="#P135">135</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Palestine, operations in, <a href="#P1">1</a>, <a href="#P2">2</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Parkes, Major, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Passchendaele, <a href="#P6">6</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Peirs, Colonel, <a href="#P95">95</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Peizière, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P89">89</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pellé, General, <a href="#P180">180</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a>, <a href="#P338">338</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pereira, General, <a href="#P53">53</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Peronne, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P118">118</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a>, <a href="#P128">128</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Piave, Italian victory on the, <a href="#P340">340</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pinney, General, <a href="#P262">262</a>, <a href="#P263">263</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, -<a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a>, <a href="#P307">307</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pitman, General, <a href="#P192">192</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ploegsteert, <a href="#P253">253</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a>, <a href="#P255">255</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Plumer, General Sir Herbert, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a>, -<a href="#P254">254</a>, <a href="#P262">262</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a>, <a href="#P310">310</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pœuilly, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Polderhoek Château, <a href="#P7">7</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pollard, General, <a href="#P126">126</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ponsonby, General, <a href="#P21">21</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P227">227</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pope, Colonel, <a href="#P98">98</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pope, Captain, D.S.O., <a href="#P335">335</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Portal, General, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Porter, Captain, <a href="#P150">150</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Poyntz, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pozières, <a href="#P62">62</a>, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Prior, Colonel, <a href="#P49">49</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Proctor, Captain, D.S.O., <a href="#P97">97</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Pryce, Captain, V.C., <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Quartermain, Lieutenant, <a href="#P172">172</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Quast, General von, <a href="#P226">226</a>, <a href="#P261">261</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Ransome, Colonel, <a href="#P185">185</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rawlinson, General Sir Henry, <a href="#P8">8</a>, <a href="#P205">205</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Reade, Colonel, <a href="#P303">303</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Reed, General, V.C., <a href="#P38">38</a>, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Reedman, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P264">264</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rees, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P315">315</a>, <a href="#P316">316</a>, -<a href="#P318">318</a>, <a href="#P319">319</a>, <a href="#P320">320</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Regiments: -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Artillery</i>— -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Field Artillery, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P69">69</a>, -<a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, <a href="#P123">123</a>, <a href="#P176">176</a>, <a href="#P178">178</a>, <a href="#P191">191</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, -<a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P323">323</a>, <a href="#P330">330</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Horse Artillery, <a href="#P178">178</a>, <a href="#P191">191</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Cavalry</i>— -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Dragoons, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P191">191</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Scots Greys, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -6th Lancers, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -12th Lancers, <a href="#P160">160</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -16th Lancers, <a href="#P181">181</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -3rd Hussars, <a href="#P110">110</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -4th Hussars, <a href="#P195">195</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -11th Hussars, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -20th Hussars, <a href="#P187">187</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Northumberland Hussars, <a href="#P191">191</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Guards</i>— -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Coldstream, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Grenadier, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Irish, <a href="#P265">265</a>, <a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Infantry</i>— -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, -<a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P279">279</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, -<a href="#P307">307</a>, <a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Bedford, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a>, -<a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a>, <a href="#P303">303</a>, <a href="#P307">307</a>, <a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Berkshire, <a href="#P68">68</a>, <a href="#P99">99</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P141">141</a>, -<a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P321">321</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Black Watch, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a>, <a href="#P298">298</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Border, <a href="#P305">305</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Buffs (East Kent), <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a>, -<a href="#P109">109</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Cambridge, <a href="#P134">134</a>, <a href="#P304">304</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Cameron Highlanders, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Cheshire, <a href="#P125">125</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P303">303</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a>, <a href="#P333">333</a>, -<a href="#P334">334</a>, <a href="#P337">337</a>, <a href="#P338">338</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Devons, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P322">322</a>, <a href="#P323">323</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Duke of Cornwall's, <a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Durham Light Infantry, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a>, -<a href="#P134">134</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P140">140</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, -<a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a>, <a href="#P243">243</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P317">317</a>, <a href="#P327">327</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -East Lancashire, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a>, -<a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P321">321</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -East Surrey, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P109">109</a>, <a href="#P110">110</a>, -<a href="#P133">133</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -East Yorkshire, <a href="#P30">30</a>, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a>, -<a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P319">319</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Essex, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P108">108</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, <a href="#P220">220</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Gloucester, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P56">56</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, -<a href="#P287">287</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a>, <a href="#P296">296</a>, <a href="#P297">297</a>, <a href="#P298">298</a>, <a href="#P299">299</a>, -<a href="#P329">329</a>, <a href="#P331">331</a>, <a href="#P333">333</a>, <a href="#P334">334</a>, <a href="#P335">335</a>, <a href="#P336">336</a>, <a href="#P337">337</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Gordon Highlanders, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, -<a href="#P99">99</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P246">246</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Hampshire, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a>, <a href="#P294">294</a>, <a href="#P299">299</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Hertford, <a href="#P117">117</a>, <a href="#P304">304</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Highland Light Infantry, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a>, -<a href="#P124">124</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a>, <a href="#P274">274</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a>, -<a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Inniskilling Fusiliers, <a href="#P102">102</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -King's Liverpool, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, -<a href="#P160">160</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a>, <a href="#P232">232</a>, <a href="#P233">233</a>, -<a href="#P234">234</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P306">306</a>, <a href="#P307">307</a>, <a href="#P308">308</a>, <a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -King's Own Royal Lancaster, <a href="#P37">37</a>, -<a href="#P38">38</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -King's Own Scottish Borderers, -<a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P117">117</a>, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P301">301</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -King's Royal Rifles, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P105">105</a>, -<a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P164">164</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a>, -<a href="#P274">274</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Lancashire Fusiliers, <a href="#P36">36</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a>, -<a href="#P150">150</a>, <a href="#P232">232</a>, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Leicester, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P306">306</a>, -<a href="#P327">327</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Lincoln, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a>, -<a href="#P327">327</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Liverpool Scottish, <a href="#P231">231</a>, <a href="#P234">234</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -1st Artists, <a href="#P69">69</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -London Rifle Brigade, <a href="#P44">44</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -1st London, <a href="#P111">111</a>, <a href="#P180">180</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -2nd London, <a href="#P213">213</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -3rd London, <a href="#P111">111</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a>, <a href="#P182">182</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -4th London, <a href="#P111">111</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P182">182</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -8th London (Post Office Rifles), -<a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P180">180</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a>, <a href="#P182">182</a>, <a href="#P183">183</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -10th London, <a href="#P213">213</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -15th London (Civil Service), <a href="#P207">207</a>, -<a href="#P208">208</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -15th London (Queen's Westminsters), <a href="#P44">44</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -17th London, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P54">54</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -18th London, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P57">57</a>, <a href="#P58">58</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -19th London, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P58">58</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -20th London, <a href="#P58">58</a>, <a href="#P207">207</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -22nd London, <a href="#P208">208</a>, <a href="#P209">209</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -23rd London, <a href="#P57">57</a>, <a href="#P207">207</a>, <a href="#P208">208</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -24th London, <a href="#P207">207</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Manchester, <a href="#P31">31</a>, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P58">58</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, -<a href="#P102">102</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Middlesex, <a href="#P27">27</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a>, -<a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P285">285</a>, <a href="#P307">307</a>, <a href="#P322">322</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Munster Fusiliers, <a href="#P91">91</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Norfolk, <a href="#P49">49</a>, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P70">70</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Northampton, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P181">181</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, -<a href="#P322">322</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -North Staffordshire, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, -<a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a>, -<a href="#P330">330</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a>, <a href="#P334">334</a>, <a href="#P337">337</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Northumberland Fusiliers, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P15">15</a>, -<a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P17">17</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P38">38</a>, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P89">89</a>, <a href="#P96">96</a>, -<a href="#P97">97</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P126">126</a>, <a href="#P127">127</a>, <a href="#P134">134</a>, <a href="#P136">136</a>, <a href="#P137">137</a>, -<a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a>, <a href="#P243">243</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, -<a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a>, <a href="#P316">316</a>, <a href="#P317">317</a>, -<a href="#P318">318</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Oxford and Bucks, <a href="#P56">56</a>, <a href="#P83">83</a>, <a href="#P84">84</a>, <a href="#P99">99</a>, -<a href="#P141">141</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Queen's (West Surrey), <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P95">95</a>, -<a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P279">279</a>, <a href="#P280">280</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Rifle Brigade, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a>, -<a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P214">214</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Fusiliers, <a href="#P7">7</a>, <a href="#P15">15</a>, <a href="#P22">22</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P68">68</a>, -<a href="#P140">140</a>, <a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P193">193</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a>, -<a href="#P206">206</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Irish Fusiliers, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a>, -<a href="#P191">191</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Irish Rifles, <a href="#P102">102</a>, <a href="#P103">103</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Scots, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P15">15</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P42">42</a>, -<a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P117">117</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P124">124</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a>, -<a href="#P163">163</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P301">301</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Scots Fusiliers, <a href="#P20">20</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, -<a href="#P151">151</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal West Kent, <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P68">68</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P107">107</a>, -<a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P220">220</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Seaforth Highlanders, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Sherwood Foresters, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, -<a href="#P214">214</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a>, <a href="#P288">288</a>, <a href="#P289">289</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a>, -<a href="#P291">291</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a>, <a href="#P324">324</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Scottish Rifles, <a href="#P42">42</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P271">271</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, -<a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a>, <a href="#P308">308</a>, <a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Shropshire, <a href="#P39">39</a>, <a href="#P40">40</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a>, -<a href="#P289">289</a>, <a href="#P330">330</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a>, <a href="#P334">334</a>, <a href="#P337">337</a>, <a href="#P338">338</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Somerset Light Infantry, <a href="#P105">105</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a>, -<a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -South Lancashire, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P231">231</a>, <a href="#P232">232</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -South Staffordshire, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P52">52</a>, <a href="#P303">303</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -South Wales Borderers, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P255">255</a>, -<a href="#P257">257</a>, <a href="#P297">297</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a>, <a href="#P336">336</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Suffolk, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P16">16</a>, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a>, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P26">26</a>, -<a href="#P38">38</a>, <a href="#P69">69</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a>, <a href="#P238">238</a>, -<a href="#P239">239</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Sussex, <a href="#P68">68</a>, <a href="#P95">95</a>, <a href="#P125">125</a>, <a href="#P132">132</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, -<a href="#P304">304</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Warwick, <a href="#P56">56</a>, <a href="#P169">169</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a>, -<a href="#P331">331</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a>, <a href="#P333">333</a>, <a href="#P334">334</a>, <a href="#P335">335</a>, <a href="#P337">337</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Welsh, <a href="#P28">28</a>, <a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P253">253</a>, <a href="#P329">329</a>, -<a href="#P331">331</a>, <a href="#P333">333</a>, <a href="#P337">337</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Welsh Fusiliers, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P54">54</a>, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P57">57</a>, -<a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P209">209</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a>, <a href="#P329">329</a>, <a href="#P331">331</a>, -<a href="#P337">337</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -West Lancashire, <a href="#P227">227</a>, <a href="#P230">230</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -West Riding, <a href="#P71">71</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P282">282</a>, <a href="#P305">305</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -West Yorkshire, <a href="#P32">32</a>, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P70">70</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, -<a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P255">255</a>, <a href="#P322">322</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Wiltshire, <a href="#P55">55</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, <a href="#P253">253</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a>, <a href="#P302">302</a>, -<a href="#P329">329</a>, <a href="#P330">330</a>, <a href="#P331">331</a>, <a href="#P332">332</a>, <a href="#P333">333</a>, <a href="#P334">334</a>, <a href="#P335">335</a>, -<a href="#P337">337</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Worcester, <a href="#P50">50</a>, <a href="#P56">56</a>, <a href="#P99">99</a>, <a href="#P250">250</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a>, -<a href="#P274">274</a>, <a href="#P275">275</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a>, <a href="#P329">329</a>, <a href="#P330">330</a>, -<a href="#P331">331</a>, <a href="#P333">333</a>, <a href="#P334">334</a>, <a href="#P335">335</a>, <a href="#P336">336</a>, <a href="#P337">337</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -York and Lancaster, <a href="#P276">276</a>, <a href="#P305">305</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Yorkshire, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P159">159</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P171">171</a>, -<a href="#P235">235</a>, <a href="#P236">236</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P240">240</a>, <a href="#P241">241</a>, <a href="#P243">243</a>, -<a href="#P307">307</a>, <a href="#P317">317</a>, <a href="#P319">319</a>, <a href="#P320">320</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Yorkshire Light Infantry, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P71">71</a>, -<a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a>, <a href="#P276">276</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -———— -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Entrenching Battalions, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P106">106</a>, -<a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P112">112</a>, <a href="#P140">140</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P166">166</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, -<a href="#P177">177</a>, <a href="#P179">179</a>, <a href="#P185">185</a>, <a href="#P189">189</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a>, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Army Medical Corps, <a href="#P45">45</a>, -<a href="#P77">77</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Engineers, <a href="#P19">19</a>, <a href="#P23">23</a>, <a href="#P37">37</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a>, -<a href="#P107">107</a>, <a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P186">186</a>, <a href="#P187">187</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P251">251</a>, -<a href="#P268">268</a>, <a href="#P277">277</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P286">286</a>, <a href="#P287">287</a>, <a href="#P302">302</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Royal Naval Division, <a href="#P53">53</a>, <a href="#P58">58</a>, <a href="#P62">62</a>, -<a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P67">67</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, <a href="#P209">209</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -<br /> -<i>Overseas Forces</i>— -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Australians, <a href="#P61">61</a>, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P71">71</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P75">75</a>, -<a href="#P127">127</a>, <a href="#P150">150</a>, <a href="#P152">152</a>, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P205">205</a>, <a href="#P206">206</a>, -<a href="#P210">210</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P216">216</a>, <a href="#P218">218</a>, <a href="#P220">220</a>, <a href="#P221">221</a>, -<a href="#P222">222</a>, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P259">259</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P269">269</a>, <a href="#P270">270</a>, <a href="#P271">271</a>, -<a href="#P272">272</a>, <a href="#P273">273</a>, <a href="#P280">280</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a>, <a href="#P284">284</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a>, <a href="#P300">300</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -Canadians, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P146">146</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P152">152</a>, -<a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P162">162</a>, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a>, <a href="#P184">184</a>, <a href="#P195">195</a>, <a href="#P204">204</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -New Zealanders, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P65">65</a>, <a href="#P66">66</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P75">75</a>, -<a href="#P204">204</a>, <a href="#P211">211</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a>, <a href="#P283">283</a> -</p> - -<p class="index2"> -South Africans, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P87">87</a>, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a>, -<a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P117">117</a>, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P120">120</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P255">255</a>, -<a href="#P291">291</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Rheims, <a href="#P316">316</a>, <a href="#P326">326</a>, <a href="#P328">328</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ricardo, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P102">102</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Richards, Lieutenant, <a href="#P85">85</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Richardson, Colonel, <a href="#P111">111</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Richardson, Lieutenant, <a href="#P186">186</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rickerby, Lieutenant, <a href="#P159">159</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rickman, Colonel, <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Riddell, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P97">97</a>, -<a href="#P135">135</a>, <a href="#P244">244</a>, <a href="#P315">315</a>, <a href="#P317">317</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ridge Wood, <a href="#P305">305</a>, <a href="#P307">307</a>, <a href="#P308">308</a>, <a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Robecq, <a href="#P246">246</a>, <a href="#P259">259</a>, <a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P294">294</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Roberts, Colonel, <a href="#P24">24</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Robertson, General, <a href="#P47">47</a>, <a href="#P53">53</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Robertson, Colonel Forbes, V.C., <a href="#P248">248</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Robinson, Colonel, <a href="#P96">96</a>, <a href="#P137">137</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rœux, <a href="#P43">43</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Roisel, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P95">95</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rollo, Colonel, <a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Romer, General, <a href="#P18">18</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ronssoy, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P90">90</a>, <a href="#P91">91</a>, <a href="#P93">93</a>, <a href="#P113">113</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rosenthal, General, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rossignol Wood, <a href="#P64">64</a>, <a href="#P71">71</a>, <a href="#P72">72</a>, <a href="#P74">74</a>, <a href="#P212">212</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Roumania, <a href="#P3">3</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Rouvroy, <a href="#P171">171</a>, <a href="#P172">172</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Roye, <a href="#P167">167</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a>, <a href="#P170">170</a>, <a href="#P196">196</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Russell, General Sir A., <a href="#P72">72</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Russia, events in, <a href="#P3">3</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Emilie, <a href="#P92">92</a>, <a href="#P117">117</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Leger, <a href="#P24">24</a>, <a href="#P26">26</a>, <a href="#P29">29</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Pierre Vaast, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -St. Quentin, <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P98">98</a>, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P156">156</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sadleir-Jackson, Brigadier-General, -<a href="#P106">106</a>, <a href="#P194">194</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sailly Saillisel, <a href="#P58">58</a>, <a href="#P59">59</a>, <a href="#P119">119</a>, <a href="#P121">121</a>, <a href="#P122">122</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Saint, Colonel, <a href="#P139">139</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Salonica, <a href="#P2">2</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Scarpe River, <a href="#P41">41</a>, <a href="#P43">43</a>, <a href="#P45">45</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Scott, General, <a href="#P66">66</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Seely, General, <a href="#P190">190</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sensée River, <a href="#P13">13</a>, <a href="#P14">14</a>, <a href="#P24">24</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sharples, Driver, <a href="#P279">279</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Shute, General, <a href="#P35">35</a>, <a href="#P36">36</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Smith, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P210">210</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Smith, Captain, <a href="#P297">297</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Soissons, <a href="#P316">316</a>, <a href="#P326">326</a>, <a href="#P328">328</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sole, Colonel, <a href="#P63">63</a>, <a href="#P290">290</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Solly-Flood, General, <a href="#P31">31</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Somme, the second battle of the: -effects of German and Austrian -successes in Russia, <a href="#P3">3</a>; in -Roumania, <a href="#P3">3</a>; in Italy, <a href="#P4">4</a>; -disposition of the British Armies, -<a href="#P5">5-7</a>; enemy preparations for the -Great Offensive of March <a href="#P21">21</a>, -1918, <a href="#P8">8-10</a>; the German plan, -<a href="#P8">8</a>; examination of the British -positions, <a href="#P10">10-12</a>; general -situation on 20th March, <a href="#P12">12</a>; attack -on the Sixth Army Corps, <a href="#P14">14</a>; -loss of Bullecourt, <a href="#P16">16</a>; Croisilles -abandoned, <a href="#P18">18</a>; losses of the -Fifty-ninth Division, <a href="#P21">21</a>; -capture of Henin Hill by the -enemy, <a href="#P23">23</a>; hard fighting by -Fortieth Division, <a href="#P25">25</a>, <a href="#P27">27-31</a>; -East Yorkshires at Ervillers, -<a href="#P30">30-32</a>; West Yorkshires at -Moyenneville, <a href="#P33">33-34</a>; recapture -of Ayette, <a href="#P36">36</a>; successful -resistance before Arras, <a href="#P37">37-43</a>; -German advance checked in -the north, <a href="#P44">44-45</a>; work of the -R.A.M.C., <a href="#P45">45</a>; of the Artillery, -<a href="#P46">46</a>; attack on Sixth and -Fifty-first Divisions, <a href="#P48">48-53</a>; attack -on and retirement of the Fifth -Corps, <a href="#P53">53-57</a>; continued -German pressure, <a href="#P57">57-63</a>; fighting -before Albert, <a href="#P64">64-70</a>; defence of -Twelfth Division, <a href="#P66">66-70</a>; enemy -advance stayed in this sector, -<a href="#P70">70</a>; results of first week's -fighting on Third Army front -summarised, <a href="#P76">76-77</a>; losses of -Third Army, <a href="#P77">77-78</a>; Fifth -Army front on 21st March, <a href="#P80">80</a>; -its fortifications, <a href="#P81">81</a>; position -and number of reserves, <a href="#P82">82</a>; -story of a redoubt, <a href="#P83">83-85</a>; -attack upon the Seventh Corps, -<a href="#P86">86-92</a>; on the Nineteenth -Corps, <a href="#P92">92-98</a>; on the -Eighteenth Corps, <a href="#P98">98-104</a>; on the -Third Corps, <a href="#P104">104-112</a>; retreat -of the Fifth Army, <a href="#P113">113</a>; the -problem before General Gough, -<a href="#P113">113-115</a>; his plans, <a href="#P115">115-116</a>; -the Seventh Corps, <a href="#P116">116-127</a>; -destruction of the South African -Brigade, <a href="#P120">120</a>; the Nineteenth -Corps, <a href="#P127">127-155</a>; defence of the -Somme, <a href="#P127">127-131</a>; the East -Surreys, <a href="#P133">133</a>; the Carey line, -<a href="#P142">142-145</a>; General Feetham -killed, <a href="#P147">147</a>; advance of -Australians, <a href="#P152">152-153</a>; General -Watts' achievement, <a href="#P154">154</a>; -losses of Nineteenth Corps in -the retreat, <a href="#P154">154</a>; the Eighteenth -Corps, <a href="#P156">156-176</a>; defence of -Beauvais by the Gloucesters, -<a href="#P158">158-159</a>; enemy capture Ham, -<a href="#P160">160</a>; defence of Le Quesnoy, -<a href="#P170">170</a>; experiences of Maxse's -Eighteenth Corps summarised, -<a href="#P175">175-176</a>; Third Corps, <a href="#P177">177-203</a>; -Germans force the Crozat Canal -line, <a href="#P178">178-182</a>; arrival of the -French, <a href="#P180">180</a>; fight at Frières -Wood, <a href="#P186">186</a>; loss of Noyon, <a href="#P194">194-195</a>; -losses of the Third Corps, -<a href="#P197">197</a>; end of the retreat, <a href="#P199">199</a>; -general observations and -criticism, <a href="#P199">199-203</a>; losses of Fifth -Army, 21st to 28th March, <a href="#P203">203</a>; -attack upon Albert, <a href="#P205">205-209</a>; -fighting at Aveluy Wood, <a href="#P207">207-209</a>; -Germans capture Villers-Bretonneux, -<a href="#P212">212-215</a>; recapture -by Australians and Eighth -Division, <a href="#P215">215-219</a>; turn of the -tide, <a href="#P220">220</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Sorel, <a href="#P88">88</a>, <a href="#P116">116</a>, <a href="#P117">117</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stanley, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P100">100</a>, <a href="#P101">101</a>, -<a href="#P160">160</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stansfeld, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P287">287</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Steenwerck, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P239">239</a>, <a href="#P242">242</a>, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, -<a href="#P254">254</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stewart, Colonel (Leicester), <a href="#P112">112</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stewart, Colonel (South Staffs), <a href="#P303">303</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stockley, General, <a href="#P94">94</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stockwell, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P232">232</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stokes-Roberts, Colonel, <a href="#P93">93</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stone, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P94">94</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Stoney, Colonel, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Strazeele, <a href="#P237">237</a>, <a href="#P272">272</a>, <a href="#P278">278</a>, <a href="#P281">281</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Strickland, General, <a href="#P234">234</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Tanner, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P252">252</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tanner, Rev. —, <a href="#P275">275</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Temperley, Colonel, <a href="#P242">242</a>, <a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P316">316</a>, <a href="#P317">317</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thompson, Captain, <a href="#P135">135</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thomson, Colonel, <a href="#P319">319</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Thorne, Colonel, <a href="#P112">112</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Topping, General, <a href="#P286">286</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tudor, General, <a href="#P86">86</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P291">291</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tweedie, Colonel, <a href="#P296">296</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tweedy, Major, <a href="#P317">317</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Tween, Major, <a href="#P187">187</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Twiss, Colonel, <a href="#P33">33</a>, <a href="#P34">34</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Vierhouck, <a href="#P245">245</a>, <a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vieux Berquin, <a href="#P247">247</a>, <a href="#P264">264</a>, <a href="#P266">266</a>, <a href="#P268">268</a>, -<a href="#P271">271</a>, <a href="#P272">272</a>, <a href="#P280">280</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ville-en-Tardenois, <a href="#P331">331</a>, <a href="#P333">333</a>, <a href="#P334">334</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Villers-Bretonneux, <a href="#P153">153</a>, <a href="#P155">155</a>, <a href="#P199">199</a>, -<a href="#P212">212</a>, <a href="#P213">213</a>, <a href="#P215">215</a>, <a href="#P219">219</a>, <a href="#P220">220</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Vimy Ridge, <a href="#P6">6</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Walker, General Sir Harold, <a href="#P271">271</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Walker, Colonel, <a href="#P132">132</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wannan, Private, <a href="#P46">46</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Warden, Colonel, D.S.O., <a href="#P28">28</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Warre-Dymond, —, <a href="#P133">133</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Watson, Colonel, <a href="#P161">161</a>, <a href="#P309">309</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Watts, General Sir H., <a href="#P10">10</a>, <a href="#P73">73</a>, <a href="#P80">80</a>, <a href="#P86">86</a>, -<a href="#P92">92</a>, <a href="#P94">94</a>, <a href="#P129">129</a>, <a href="#P130">130</a>, <a href="#P131">131</a>, <a href="#P138">138</a>, <a href="#P141">141</a>, -<a href="#P142">142</a>, <a href="#P143">143</a>, <a href="#P144">144</a>, <a href="#P147">147</a>, <a href="#P149">149</a>, <a href="#P154">154</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Weedon, Sergeant, <a href="#P269">269</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wetherall, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P83">83</a>, -<a href="#P85">85</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P168">168</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Whelan, Lieutenant, <a href="#P91">91</a>, <a href="#P92">92</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -White, Brigadier-General Hon. R., -<a href="#P156">156</a>, <a href="#P157">157</a>, <a href="#P158">158</a>, <a href="#P203">203</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Whitham, Colonel, <a href="#P218">218</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Whitworth, Major, <a href="#P132">132</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Williams, General, <a href="#P100">100</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Willock, Captain, <a href="#P141">141</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wingrove, Major, <a href="#P289">289</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Witteycombe, Brigadier-General, -<a href="#P102">102</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wood, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P107">107</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Woods, Lieutenant, <a href="#P24">24</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Worgan, Brigadier-General, <a href="#P111">111</a>, -<a href="#P180">180</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wray, General, <a href="#P238">238</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wrenford, Colonel, <a href="#P112">112</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wright, Colonel, <a href="#P137">137</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wulverghem, <a href="#P254">254</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a>, <a href="#P258">258</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wyatt, General, <a href="#P276">276</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Wytschaete, <a href="#P248">248</a>, <a href="#P249">249</a>, <a href="#P252">252</a>, <a href="#P253">253</a>, <a href="#P254">254</a>, -<a href="#P255">255</a>, <a href="#P256">256</a>, <a href="#P260">260</a>, <a href="#P291">291</a>, <a href="#P292">292</a>, <a href="#P293">293</a>, -<a href="#P299">299</a>, <a href="#P301">301</a>, <a href="#P303">303</a> -</p> - -<p><br /></p> - -<p class="index"> -Young, Colonel, <a href="#P120">120</a> -</p> - -<p class="index"> -Ypres, <a href="#P256">256</a>, <a href="#P306">306</a> -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t3"> -THE END -</p> - -<p><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="t4"> -<i>Printed in Great Britain by</i> R. & R. CLARK, LIMITED, <i>Edinburgh</i>. -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<p class="capcenter"> -<a id="img-end-t"></a> -<br /> -<a href="images/img-end.jpg"> -<img class="imgcenter" src="images/img-end-t.jpg" alt="Map to illustrate the British Campaign in France and Flanders" /> -</a> -<br /> -Map to illustrate the British Campaign in France and Flanders -</p> - -<p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BRITISH CAMPAIGN IN FRANCE AND FLANDERS--JANUARY TO JULY 1918 ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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