Second Edition. THE WAR.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 285, 30 November 1914, Page 6

Second Edition. THE WAR.

BATTLE OF YPRF.B. STRENUOUS OPERATIONS. SIR JOHN FRENCH’S REPORT. MAJOR-GENERAL RAWLINSON DOES GOOD WORK. BRITISH TROOPS RESPOND MAGNIFICENTLY.

United Press Association. (Received 1.23 p.m.) London, November 29. - Field-Marshal French, in a despatch covering the battle of \pres and Armentieres, describes the trahsference of British troops from the Aisne to Flanders for the purpose of strenuously supporting the Allies’ northern flank, so out-flanking the enemy. The excellent Anglo-French feeling rendered this delicate operation highly successful. The despatch shows that about this time Major-General Rawlinson, with cavalry and infantry, was operating in support of the' Belgian army, assisting in the withdrawal from Antwerp. Consequently the battle line in Flanders was formed by the British forces from the Aisne advancing northward, and Rawlinson falling back to the line of the Yser. It is noteworthy , the Field-Marshal says, that the position at La Bassee throughout defied all attempts at capture either by the French or the British. Rawlinson 3 successful operations in the neighbourhood of Ghent and Antwerp had a great influence on the course of subsequent operations. His forces fought with the utmost gallantry without supports. 'A question of vital importance arose on October 19th. The Belgians, after their hard fighting were exhausted and in need of support to resist the threatened turning movement, which was calculated to lay bare the Channel ports. Thereupon, at the risk of having to operate on an extended front elsewhere he directed * General Haigh to move the first army corps northwards of Ypres and so avoid such a disastrous consequence as being out-flanked towards Calais. Haigh’s object was to advance throughout for the eventual capture of Bruges and subsequently, if possible, drive/ the enemy towards Ghent. Haigh advanced, but owing to large unexpected reinforcements for the enemy arriving, pressing both the British and the French, he took up a position on the outskirts of Ypres. Meanwhile the remainder of the British line was successfully resisting the enemy’s desperate attacks with marvellous fighting power and indomitable courage. No more arduous task was ever assigned to British soldiers and never was the call answered more magnificently. He had a consultation with General Joffre, who requested Haigh to hold our lines the, enemy’s attempts to outflapfcprifeak^Through, General Joffre promising reinforcements. The Field-Marshal was present with Haigh at the most critical moment of the v,'holer great battle when the'first divisions were retiring at Hogue,