1916-07-03 — Page 7

'SIR D. HAIG'S FIRST DISPATCH.

RECORD OF FIVE MONTHS' WORK.

TAKING OVEIĆ” FROM THE

FRENCH

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, MONDAY JULY 3nd 1916.

us from the positions we had

THE STORY OF GALLIPOLI.

TATENS PROMISED.

After several days' heavy shelling over captured its assigned objective; but, this the whole of our lines in this area, the left attack was not so successful, and a first attack took place on 12th February, gap was left in possession of the Ger- at the extreme left of our line to the mans, through which they entered one north of Ypres. A bombing attack was of the craters. The following days were | Just before Parliament adjourned for Inunched by the Germans in the early spent by both sides in heavy bombard- | the Whitsuntide reccss, Sir Henry, Dal- morning, and they succeeded in captur ment and in unsuccessful attacks, intend ziel urged the Government to reconsider ing our trenches. Our counter-attack, ou our part to capture the remaining | their decision against the publication of however, which was immediately organi

trenches, zed, enabled as to clear our trenches of to dies, and on the part of the Germans the Gallipoli dispatches

Mr. Churchill, speaking as one of the The following are the principal pas the enemy, and to pursue him to his occupied. In the very early morning of principals in that transaction of State, The followers dispatch penned by own. After a period of further bombard April 3rd we succeeded in recapturing declared that the grant, decision, which General Sir D. Haig as Commander-in-ment on both sides, the German fire the crater and the trenches still held by governed the naval and military opera- Chief of the British Forces in France again increased in intensity against our

the enemy, thereby securing the whole of

tions were taken in Whitehall. It would and Belgium. The dispatch is dated trenches and the French line beyond our original objective. We had, more he very injurious, he contended, to the May 10th, 19, and covers the period them; and in the evening a second over, captured five officers and 195 men is froin December 19th, 1015, when Sir attempt was made to rush our extreme the first attack on March 7th, and five reputation of Ministers and ex-Ministers

left this time entirely without success offers and 80 men in the attack on it could be thought that they were try Douglas Haig was appointed successor to Field Marshal Lord French. Smaller attempts against other trenches April 3rd, The work of consolidating. by delaying the publication of the During this period, the only offensive in the neighbourhood were made at the sur position, however, proved extremely papers, to shield themselves and to allow effort made by the enemy on a great scale same time, but were inmediately repulsed difficult owing to the wet soil, heavy shef the blame to fall upon the military or was directed against pur French Allies by rifle and machine-gun fire. Through ling and mine explosions; though pamps naval commanders. So far as Mr. The fighting in that area out the operations our position in this were brought up and efforts at draining Churchill was concerned, he said to the Bear Verdun. has been prolonged and severe. The re- part of the line remained intact, except were instituted, the result achieved was Government Publish everything that sults have been Forthy of the high tradi- that two isolated trenches of no tactical comparatively small. By dint of much the public interest allows you to publish

heavy work the Brigade holding these Mr. Runar Law, apraking for the Primg a day or two later; they were subse quently obliterated by our artillery fire in the trenches by 2 feet by the morning ment that the Government had come to Throughout this fighting the French on of the 5th. This state of affairs could the conclusion that it was better that the our immediato left rendered us the not, even so, be regarded as satisfactory: chole of the papers relating to Gallipoli prompt and valuable assistance which we and during the ath the enemy bombardas well as te Mesopotamin should be laid. have at all times received from them," ment increased in intensity, and the new That being so, the Government desired to Another scries of German attacks was trenches practically ceased to exist. On make the papers as full as possible, and launched about the same time in the the morning of the oth the enemy attack they intended to withhold nothing which neighbourhood of Hooge, to the cast ofed with one battalion supported by an-

was not against the public interest, Ypres. The enemy had pushed ont several other; he penetrated our new line, and saps, in front of his trenches, and con- gained the two westernmost craters. It is difficult to follow in detail the ighting

tions of the Freish Army and of great importance were captured by the enemy trenches succeeded in reducing the water Minister made the interesting announce-

service to the cause of the Allies. The efforts made by the enemy have cost him heavy losses both in men and in prestige, she has rende these sacrifices without gaining any advantage to counter-balance them.

During this struggle my troops have ben in readiness to co-operate as they might be needed, but the only assistance asked for by our Allies was of an in- direct nature-riz. the relief of the fensive front. This relief I was glad to

French troops on a portion of their de nected them up into a firing line some of the next three weeks, which consisted WAR ECONOMY IN FRANCE.

be able to afford.

150 yards from our lines. During the whole of 13th February he heavily bom Its exreation on a considerable front, barded our front-line trenches in this everywhere in close touch with the neighbourhood, and completely destroyed enemy, was fru somewhat delicato ope-them. On the following afternoon an ration, but it was carried out with com- intense bombardment of our line began, plete surcess, thanks to the cordial co-

and the enemy exploded a series of mines concerned and to the lack of enterprise launching infantry attacks against operation and goodwill of all ranks in front of our trenches, simultaneously shown by the enemy during the reliéf. Hooge and the Northern and southern

ends of Sanctuary Wood.

Each of these attacks wae repulsed by artillery, machine-gun, and rifle fire..

the

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Italy and France to do what they en NETH, to assist Great Britain in coping with the froights problem. The first step taken that of prohibiting imports of luxuries and articles which are largely produced in France-bas aroused the opposition of Free Traders and moderate Protectionists, and of those who seu in the measure a threatening increase of

in repeated attacks by both sides on more or less isolated mine craters, the trench lines having been destroyed by shell fire. Great efforts were made to maintain e adition with the garrisons of these advanced posts, and with considen is

the state of affairs aruse, success. But there were periods of un certainty, and some misconception as to On the 11th it was reported to me that we had recap A CONTINUOUS STRUGGLE.

tured all that remained of the position On the British front no action on a

won by us on the 27th March and 3rd great acale, such as that at Verdun, has been fought during the past five months, Further to the south, however, April. This report, probably due to old nevertheless our troops bave been far enemy was more successful. On the craters having been mistaken for new from idle or inactive. Although the northern bank of the Ypres Comines was subsequently found to be in- struggle, in R general sense, has not been Canal there is a narrow ridge, 30 to 40 to the enemy's view and to the full weight correct. The new craters, being exposed intense, it has been everywhere confeet high, covered with trees probably the of his artillery fire, have proved unten tinuous, and there have been many sharp heap formed by excavation when the canal able, and at the present time our troops was dug which forms a feature of the flat wooded country at the southern bend le occupying trenches roughly in the of the Ypres salient. It runs outward general Fine which was held by them be

fore the 27th. through our territory almost into the

In France there has, in consequence of German area, so that our trenches pass

invasion, been more enforced economy over the eastern point of it, which is On the night of the 29th 30th April the than in England, but it is curious to note known as The Bluff. Here also our treneremy carried out a gas attack on a con- that, in spito of the greater proximity of bardment on the afternoon of the 11th,front of 3,500 yards. The operation was certainly less of what in England is following which a sudden rash of liostile opened by heavy rifle and machine-gun

meant by war economy in Paris than in infantry was successful in capturing fire under cover of which the gas was London, The cafes are crowded, theatres, these and other front-line trenches im-rolensed: Immediately afterwards a and restaurants are full, the fashions aro mediately north of The Bluff-some 600 heavy "barrage, or curtain of artillerymore bewildering than ever. Times. yards in all. Two of these trenches were fire, was placed on three parts of this af once regained, but the others were held area, and eight infantry attacks were by the enemy, in the face of several launched. Of these attacks only two

local actions.

The maintenance and repair of our defences alone, especially in winter, entails constant heavy work. Bad wee ther and the energy combine to food and destroy trenches, dug-outs, and communi- `cations; all such damages must be

repaired promptly, under: fire,

GERMAN DAR ATTACKS.

replies, pointing out that the present To these objections M. Jean Herbette moment is one in which economic theories inevitably have to suffer at least partial eclipse, and that economy is a necessary weapon of victory,

almost entirely by night and ches were almost obliterated by the bom siderable scale uear Wulverghem, on a the French to the war, there is almost

A fea

Artily and saipers are practically never silent, patrols are out in front the lines every night, and heavy bombard ments by the artillery of one or both sides take place daily in various parts of the live. Below ground, there is continual mining and counter-mining, which, by the ever-present threat of sudden exple-counter-attacks. On the night of the 15th-penetrated our trenches; one was imme-bombing raids on hostile nerodromes and sion and the uncertainty as to when and 16th we made an unsuccessful counter where it will take place, causes perhaps attack, with the object of regaining the a more constant strain than any other lost trenches, Au advance was begun form of warfare. In the air there is neross the open on the north side of the seldom a day, however bad the weather, canal, combined with grenade attacks when aircraft are not busy recounottring, along the communication trenches ime photographing, and observing fire. All distely north of The Bluff The nigh this is taking place constantly at any was very dark, and heavy rain had turn hour of the day or night, and in any ed the ground into a quagmire, so that part of the line:

progress was difficult for the attacking farce, which was unable to consolidate its position is the face of heavy machine gun and rifle fire. After the failure of this attack it was decided to adopt slower and more methodical methods of re-cap turing the lost trenches, and nothing of special importanes occurred in the Ypres saliene during the rest of the month, although both sides displayed rather more than the usual activity

In short, although there has been no great incident of historic importance to record on the British front during the period under revier, a steady and con- inuous fight has gene on, day and night, above ground and below it. The com- parative monotony of this struggle has been relieved

at short intervals by sharp local actions, some of which, although individually afrost insignificant in a war on such an immense scale, would have been thought worthy of a separate despatch under different conditions, while their cumulative effect, though difficult to appraise at its true value now, will doubtless prove hereafter to have been considerable, but

diately repailed, while the other was points of military importance. driven out by a counter-attack after about 40 muutes occupation. The enemy's object would appear to have been the destruction of mine shafts, as à charge of gin-cotton was found inex ploded in a disused shaft to which the enemy had penetrated. But if this was his object he was completely unsuccessful Similar attacks were made by the Ger mans in front of Veravelles, to the south of La Hassed, on the 27th and 29th April, the discharge of a highly concentrated gas being accompanied by bombardment with lachrymatory and other shells and the explosion of a mine. On the first oo casion two minor infantry attacks pene- trated our trenches, but were driven out almost immediately; on the second occa ston a small attack was repulsed, but the more serious advance which appears to have been intended was probably render ed impossible by the fact that a part of the enemy's gas broke over bis own lines, to the Visible confusion of his troops, who were massing for the attack.

The activity described above has its counter-part in rear of our lines in the inuously. During the periods of relief all formations, and especially the newly created ones, are instructed and prae tised in all classes of the present and other phases of warfare. A large number of schools also exist for the instruction of individuals especially in the une sud theory of the less familiar weapons, such as bomba and grenades.

ture of the period under review has been the increased activity of the enemy's aircraft, in suitable weather. But the eeny's activity has been mainly on his own side of the line, and has samed chiefly at interrupting the wosk carried out by our teachines. In order to carry out the work in spite of this opposition, which was for a time rendered more effective by the appearance in December of a new and more powerful type of enemy, machine, it has been necessary to provide an escort to accompany our reconnaissance aeroplanes, and fighting in the air, which was formerly excep tional, has now become an everyday occurrence

which is carried out con

The observers, no less than the pilots, have done excellent service, and many fino fente have been performed by both. Developments on the technical side of the Air Service have been no less remarkable and satisfactory than the progress made on the purely military side. Much in ventive genius has been displayed; and telegraphy, boinb-dropping, and offensivo proved, while great skill has been shown action generally has been immensely im in keeping the flying machines themselves in good flying condition.

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The re-capture of The Bluff took place after the enemy had held it for seventeen days. After several days' preliminary bombardment by our artillery, the assault was carried out at 4.29 am on the 2nd March Measures taken to deceive the enemy were girecessful, and our infantry One form of minor activity deserves effected a complete surprise, anding the sperial" mention, naricly, the raids or enemy with their bayouets unfixed, and chiting out parties which are made many of them without rifles or equip at fest twice three times a week meni. About to Germans took refuge agesost the enemy's life. They consist in a crater at the eastern end of The of Brief attack, with some special Bluff, and these put up a brief resistance object, eg a section of the opposing before taking refuge in the tunnels they trenches, usually carried out at night by had constructed, in which they wore cap- a small body of men. The character of tured at leisure. Otherwise our right these operations--the preparation of a hand attacking party, whose objective wad through our own and the army's was The Bluff, met with little opposition, wire-the crossing of the open ground The front line of the centre attack,

In the performance of this work thu There are schools for young staff officers Officers, Nou Commissioned Officers and unseen the penetration of the enemy's reaching its assigned objective without and regimental officers, for candidates men of the Field Companies and other Trenches the hand-to-hand fighting in huch opposition, swept on past it and for commissions, etc. In short, every units of the Corps have continued to the darkness and the uncertainty as to seized the German Third Line at the effort is made to take advantage of the exhibit a very high standard of skill, The strength of the opposing force give eastern side of the salient. This line closer contact with actual warfare, and courage, and devotion to datyana peculiar scope to the gallantry ash and was not suitable to hold permanently, to put the Gnishing touches, often after quickness of decision of the troops but it proved useful as a temporary actual experience in the trenches, to the calls for special mention.

The work of the Tunnelling Companies engaged and math skill and daring are covering position while the captured training received at home.

Increased mining activity on the part of the enemy Frequently displayed in these operations. trenches in rear were being consolidated, During the period under review the has invariably bead answered with enter The initiative in these minor operations and at nightfall the covering party was forces under my command have been prise combined with untiring energy on was taken, and on the whole has been withdrawn unmolested. The later waves considerably augmented by the arrival the part of our miners, who in carrying huld, by us, but the Germans..heye re of our centre attack net and captured, of new formations from home, and the out duties always full of danger have sadlows for plating thing with most affedeat reenita, kulit

HREE PATENT SLIPWAYS inking vennela up to 3,000 tons dispisement, providing cently attempted some bold and well after some fighting, several Germans transfer of athers released from service shown that they possess in the highest-Ton ELECTRICE CRANE ON QUAY-ELECTRIC OVERHEAD CRANES conceived raids against our lines, many coming out of their dug-outs in the Near East,This increase has degree the qualities of courage, persevere rougheed A Shops maging to 100 Tons of which have been driven back, although The left attacking party, at the first made possibis the relief of French ance, and self-sacrifice. Their importance-Ton Bydralie TESTING MACHINE for Chains Wire Ropes, Elveda, sie some have succeeded in penetrating, as attempt, failed to reach the German Army, to which I have already referred, in the present phase of warfare is very has been reported. by me from time to trenches, but those who had penetrated at the time of the Battle of Verdun. great.

to the German line on the right realised Among the newly arrived forces is the WORK OF THE CHEMINSTE Of the numerous local actions alluded the situation and brought a Lewis gun to

“Anzac Corps With them, the Cans to, the total number, omitting the more bear on the enemy's line of resistance, dians, and a portion of the South African

The valuable nature of the work per- minor raids, amounts to over 60 since completely enfilading his trenches, and Overseas Force which has also arrived, formed by the officers of the Central December 10th of which the most im thus enabling the left company to reach the Dominions now furnish a valuable Laboratory and the Chemical Advisers portant have been:-

its goal

with the Armies in investigations into the The operations at The Bluff the Thus our objective, which part of the Imperial Forces in France

which included a Hohenzollern Redoubt, and at St. Eloi; part of the German line, as well as the but before I assumed command, the stances used in hostile attacks, and in Since the date of the last Despatch, nature of the gases and other new sub- the mining operations and crater fighting

Indian Army Corps left this country for devising and perfecting means of protect. in the Loss satient and on the Vimy

service in the East. They had given aing our troops against them, is deserving Hidge; and the hostile gas attacks north

year's valuable and gallant service under of recogition. The efforts of these officers of Ypres in December, and opposite

conditions of warfare which they had materially contributed to the failure of Hulluch and Messines in April.

not dreamt of, and in a climate peculiar the Germans in their attack of 19th De The most recent local operations

ly difficult for them to endure. I regret cember, 1915, as well as in the various worthy of mention are the expture of

their departure, but I do not doubt that gas attacks since made. some 500 yards of our trenches by the

they will continue to render, gallant and Germans at the Kink, on the 11th May,

effective service elsewhere as they have And the capture by us of 250 yards of

already done in the country, their tronches near Cabaret Rouge, on the night of the 16th/16th May,

time.

YPRES AND THE ELUFT.

whole of the front lost by us on the 14th Feb, was captured, and is still held by us Several counter-attacks yere destroy ed by our fire. The enemy's trenches were found full of dead as a result of our bombardment, and fire officers and 261 others ranks were captured.

The support of the Heavy and Field Artillery, and a number of trench mor tara, contributed largely to the success of the operation.

some reference to the work of my pre- I cannot less this Dispatch without decessor in Command, Field-Marshal Viscount French The Field Marshal, starting the war with car small Expedi superior in numbers and fully prepared fionary Force, faced an enemy lar for this great campaign, During the long and anxions time needed for the im- provisation of the comparatively large force now serving in this country, he overcame all difficulties, and before lay

*THE ROYAL VRYING TOPS I take this opportunity to bring to As an illustration of the nature of

On the 27th March our troops made a Royal Flying Corns has continued to notice the admirable work which the these local operations, it will suffice to describe two or three of the most im-attack with the object of straightening perform, in spite of much unfavourable portant, je

out the line at St. Elni, and cutting away weather, in carrying out reconnaissance the small German salient which encroach duties, in taking photographs an import During the period 8th to 19th February ed on the semi-circle of our line in the ant aid to reconnaissanes which has been the enemy displayed increased activity in Ypres salient to a depth of about 100 brought to a high pitch of perfection the Ypres salient, and carried out a yards over a front of some 600 yards. The and in assisting the work of our Artiling down his responsibilities, he had the series of infantry attacks, preceded, as operation was begun by the firing of sixlery by registering targets and locating satisfaction of seeing the balance of ad rule, by intense bombardment, and by very large mines; the charge was so hostile batterica. In the performance of vantage swing steadily in our favour. the explosion of mines. These attacks heavy that the explosion was felt in this work they have flown in weather Those who have served under him appre may, no doubt, be regarded as a subsi towns several miles behind the lines, and when no hostile aeroplane ventured out, ciste the greatness of his achievement. - diary operation, designed partly to large numbers of the enemy were killed. and ther have not hesitated to fly low. I have the honour to be, secure focal points of vantage, but prob Half a minute, after the explosion our under bursitated tons when most obedient servant

lordship's infantry attack was launched aiming at their duties made it necessary to do so the German Second Line. The right They have also carried out a serios of Commander-in-Chief. The British Forces attack met with little opposition, and (Continued on next Column.)

ably also to distract attention from the impending operations near Verdun, which began on the 21st February

D. HAIG, General,

in France

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