WHOLE BATTALION DIES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 109, 1 February 1919, Page 7

WHOLE BATTALION DIES

: « FRENCH? TRIBUTE TO THE SECOND DEVON'S. A-thrilling story of a British battalion—the 2ml Devons—that fought to tho death is briefly told in a special order which Field-Marshal Sir Douglas •Ha-ig recently issued to the troops in France. *"■ The order embodies a translation of an order of the sth Frencli Army, which I was issued by General Bertlielot on August 20. Tho translation is as follows • "On Hay 2". 1918. at a time when the Britisli trenches were bein? subjected to-fierce attacks, the 2nd Battalion the. • Devonshire Regiment repelled succcssive enemy assaults with gallantry and determination, and maintained an unbroken front till a late hour. The staunchness of this battalion permitted defences south of to be organised au/1 they- occupation by reinforcements'to, be completed. "Inspired by the sangfroid of their gallant commander in the face of an intense bombardment, the few survivors .of the battalion, though isolated and without hone of assistance, held oil to their.trenches north of the river and fought, to. the last with an unhesitat-. ing vibedienco to orders. "Thust.be whol.e battalion—colonel, .twontjveiglit officers, and 552 non-com-missioncd' officers and men—responded witli one accord and offered their lives in ungrudging sacrifico to the sacred cause of tho Allies."