PHILIP GIBBS’ ACCOUNT.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1918, Page 2

PHILIP GIBBS’ ACCOUNT.

STORY OF THE BATTLE. BEARING UP GAMELY. LONDON, March 27. Mr. Phillip Gibbs on Tuesday states Yesterday morning the enemy continued violent thrusts on our line west of Bapaume and Peronne. While the masses of the troops were mostly Brandenburgers, other picked troops were making efforts to advance in the direction of Roye from Nesle, where the French were heavily engaged. c , The enemy pushing over the Somme from DelviUe Wood. Highwood and Maurepas towards the lines we hem before the Somme battle of 1916. The enemy has only paused once since he began the great offensive and that was to bring,; up divisions that are ex " liaustod by attack and shattered by our fire, while the latter reforms and recuperate and then come on again. Owing to the enormous forces at the enemy’s disposal the Germans _ are able to pursue any advantage gained with fresh troops against our hard pressed men, who have been fighting without respite for six days. Despite the gravity of those hours, there never was a more glorious spirit among the British troops in history. They withstood the odds, sometimes 8 to 1. . .... . Near Croisellcs, nine divisions sittacked three, and such odds was unknown before. The enemy dare not re main stationary; despite the /little battles going on. One or two battalions hold up waves of Germans until their own line has fallen back in perfect order to defensive ground. . I saw riflemen yesterday at 1 ozieies Ridge, using the„old trenches fijll of undergrowth, and shooting Germans as in the days of Lc Cateau. I saw a small party so weary ot this endless battle, that they could hardlv walk, even holding thqir hands like tired children, but their heads were up gamely, and undismayed. _ The whole movement of the British Army is as orderly as at the maneouvres in England. 1 can honestly say I have never seen an officer flurried. The transport lorries only leave the road when it is unable to continue, owing to -the enemy’s fire- Camps are packed and stores removed, as the Germans are reported near headquarters’ staffs change their lodging to another chateau or cottage. It is an amazing drama, because the open warfare is a new tiling. Though the menace of the enemy is strong and serious and the retirement is under terrific pressure of the human avalanche, and is by no means a pleasant thing, the British Army retains self-control, will power and hopefulness. HIS CONCLUDING REMARKS , LONDON March 26. Mr Phillip Gibbs in conclusion states that the Germans made no frontal attack at Nesle. They only entered on Monday night. The enemy this day passed new divisions through the foremost storm troops and made further thrusts at Roye and Hamencourt hut the army is confident it will defeat the enemy’s plans of a decisive victory. Mr Phillip Gibbs states that the British Generals have control of the huge war machine from one end of the line to the other. No British division, thus far, has been lost, however battered. The heroic fighting of the French divisions lis highly welcome in places with some Britishers who fought the longest and made the greatest sacrifices. The French help was particularly valuable on Sunday, when the Brandenburgers sought to enlarge on the bridgehead at. Ham. We fell back after a desperate battle, and held Libermonth Canal that night, a perilous winding line, but the French came up mixed with our battalions, fighting amidst, and putting new heart int'ft our men. The Germans on Monday further increased the pressure on both sides of Nesle.