MAGNIFICENT BRITISH TROOPS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2345, 30 December 1914, Page 8

MAGNIFICENT BRITISH TROOPS

.WARM FRENCH TRIBUTE.

Tho "Temps" ' publishes from a French eye-witness a remarkable tribute; to the admirable gallantry of the British troops engaged in the battle in Flanders. "It was their difficult mission," he says, "to'bar the road to the new German invasion between Ypres and La Bassee. To accomplish it they had to bold the trenches for several weeks in face of an enemy which was not only superior in, number, but which also attacked with: the resolution of despaff. In many places at tho beginning eff this new battle the English lines were so thin that without: the display of stubbornness worthy of a Waterloo they were in danger if not of being broken at least of being driven back in perilous conditions. None the less they held on. . "On certain days, or rather nights, it happened occasionally that the English J trenches 'were surprised by ' the enemy, but a counter-attack waß. at once prepared, and the trenches retaken even at the-.price of the greatest, sacf!fices. These .aoto of energy wero the more worthy of admiration because accomplished'by troops of which a large proportion were feeling the fatigues of a : long ) campaign'. . ; . Battalions k* turned to. the firing dine with amazing dasK'and riot a single one failed. "It is perhaps the English cavalry which distinguished itself most , brilliantly. On October 30 and 31 the German efforts were definitely directed against it: The German commanders doubtless, thought it easier to BreaK up this corps of cavalry . than' tho others. The intensity of the artillery fire brought'against 'this part of the front passed all imagination. Orders had to be Riven at first to evacuate certain positions, but only to reoccupy them almost immediately afterwards. The British cavalry without flinching returned to the charge with an utter, contempt for death. In particular a Tegiment of lancers was ordered to rotako the town of Messines.; The men had been given bayonets, which tlioy were using.for the first time. They attacked with as much vigour 'as triefl infantrymen nnd swept it clear of the enemy. I may add that the troops so liardly tested were as gay as French troopers. "The Indian Army has been equally proved, and has shown itself equally indomitable. Scarcoly landed Indian' regiments were thrown into the very centre of tTio furnace. During the first week of the battle they suffered without flinching. . . . Never had thoir commanders reason to fear the slightest weakening. If our Allies in bringing to the front the native Indian troops wislled to inake an experiment , this experiment has' already given decisive results. . ."