THE FATEFUL DAYS OF MARCH

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 24, 23 October 1918, Page 5

THE FATEFUL DAYS OF MARCH

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG'S STORY OF THE GERMAN ATTACK

FIFTH ARMY'S GRIM

ORDEAL

London, October 21: A dispatch by Sir Douglas Haig, dated July 20, covering the operations since the first week in December, 1917, has been published.. Its chiof interest lies in Sir Douglas Haig's account of the German offensive on March 21. Sir Douglas Haig begins by emphasising that the difficulties created by the transition from an offensive to a defensive policy necessitated by the.-collapse of Russia were accentuated 'by the reorganisation of the British divisions from a thirteenbattalion to a ten-battalion basis, and by the extension of the British front (o B'arisis 'St. Gobain Forest). Meanwhile the large reserves which the enemy had been able, to create by transferring numerous divisions from the East enabled him to carry out extensive training with units which had been completed to establishment.

. Front of Attack Known. The.lntelligence Department on Marcli 19 reported that the enemy would probably attack on tho Arras-St. . Quentin front on March 20 or 21. The British dispositions to meet the expected offensive were as complete as the time and the troops available could make them. General Gough's Fifth Army then held a 42-mile front, 'from just south of Barisis to Gouzeaucourt; The number of divisions in line only allowed nn average of one division •to a front, of 6076 yards. General Byng*s Third Army held a 27-mile front, from north of Gouzeaucourt to south of Gavrelle, the average length of front held by each division being about 4700 yards altogether. At least sixty-four German divisions participated in the operations on the 21st. This number considerably exceeded the total forces composing the entire British Army in France. The total British force on the original battlefront on the morning of March 21 was 29 infantry divisions and three cavalry divisions, of which 19 infantry divisions were in line. Enemy's Initial Success. The British plans had previously been laid to meet a possible enemy attack with the whole of the enemy's striking force. The enemy's initial success -was due to a fog. Throughout the retirement there was no panic, and tho unite retreated stubbornly until they were turned or threatened with isolation. Wherever the enemy attempted, a frontal attack he was beaten off with loss. Bray-snr-Somme was abandoned bv a misunderstanding, and that this enabled' the enemy to securo several Rains. Summarising the causes of tho retirement of the right wing, Sir Douglas Haig says the forces at the Fifth Army's disposal were inadequate to meet and hold such a heavy attack. Tho extent of the front made it impossible to furnish adequate reserves at all points, and there was not sufficient time to complete the defences in the now sector. The dry season made the Oise and the Soinnio passable, necessitating extra troops for tho defence; but these could not bo spared. He gives figures of tho comparative strength of the Allies and *he enemy, and says that in the Battle of tho Somme by the end of March fortytwo British infantry divisions and threo cavalry' divisions fought to a standstill seventy-three German divisions. In the Lys battle, by April 13, the enemy employed forty-two divisions against twentylive British. In the six weeks to the ohd of April the enemy employed 100 divisions against fifty-five British infantry divisions and three cavalry divisions. At no time during tho Somme battle was there anything approaching <i breakdown of command or of moral, in spite of the oxtremo trials which were experienced.

General Gough's Retirement. ■ ; In reference to General Gough's retirement, thn dispatch states that after confronting for a week an overwhelming superiority, which was a tremendous strain for General Gough and his staff, General Eawlinson resumed his old command. General Gough was entrusted with the important task of constructing new defences with a view to future possibilities. Tho organisation of General Carey's remarkable composite force wis the work of General Philip Grant, chief engineer of tho Fifth Army,' who handed over the force to General Carey bocauso ho himself could not be spared. General Foch assumed superior control on March 26, by which date the French wero heavily engaged.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Eeuter.

THE AUSTRALIAN COUNTER-STROKE AT VILLERS BRETONNEUX

(Rec. October 22, 9.30 p.m.)

London. October 21. The section of Sir Douglas Haig's dispatch which deals with the successful counter-attack at Villers Brctonneux en April 23, in which tho Thirteenth and Fifteenth Brigades of the Fourth and Fifth Australian Divisions participated, says: "It met with remarkable success. A night operation of this character, undertaken at such short notice, was an enterprise of great daring. The instant decision to seize tho opportunity offored and the rapid and thorough working out of tho general plan ami details of the attack on tho part of the Third Corps commander and divisional and subordinate commanders are most worthy of commendation, while the unusual nature of the operation demanded the Idghest quality on the part of the troops employee!. It was carried out in tho most spirited manner by all ranks. The Thirteenth Brigade particularly showed great skill and resolution, in making its way through belts of wire running diagonally to their lino and in their advance across very difficult country, in which they had not hnd an opportunity of reconnoitring beforehand. We took nearly one thousand prisoners in this well-conceived and brilliantly-executed operation."—Aus.-N7,. Cable Assii.-Rcu-br.

LIBERTY LOAN LARGELY OVER-SUBSCRIBED.

(liec. October 22. 10.30 p.m.)

Washington, October 21

Tlu> Liberty Loan figures indicate a large oversubscription.—All3.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

Tho following temporary appointments have been approved by tho Camp Commandant at Trentham:— '

Camp Quartermaster's Department.— S.S. ,1. A. DuMbar, to bo 6taff quarter-master-sergeant; Sgt. J. T. Wilson, to be staff sergeant; Cwpls. C. Kelly, W. Ainsworth, W. H. Cooper, R, M'noNamara, to bo sergeants; L.-Cpl. ,T. MaoKay, Ptes. 3. I. Wing, E. Hayes, A. S. Smith, R, E. Pascoe, J. Nixon, to be corporals.

B Company, lath Itaaforcemonts — Cpls. A. Johan6en, J. C. Pope, to be sergeants; L.-Cpl. E. W. Illingworth, to be corporal. B Company, 49th Reinforcements — Cpls. IT. <le S. C. Hardinge, W. G. Lerew, T. Kirkham, to be■sergeants; Pie. E. J. Armstrong, to be orderly room clerk.