With the British

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 150, 1 December 1914, Page 5

With the British

GENERAL FRENCH'S DESPATCH. BRITISH IN HOT CORNER. FIGHTING WITH GREAT GALLANTRY. A MAGNIFICENT ANSWER TO THE CALL. London, November 29.

Field-Marshal French, in a dispatch covering the battle of Ypres and Armentieres, describes the transference of the British troops from the Aisne to Flanders, for the purpose of strenuously supporting the Allies' northern flank and so outflanking the enemy. The excellent Anglo-French feeling rendered this delicate operation so successful.

The dispatch shows that about this time Major-General Rawlinson, with cavalry and infantry, was operating in support of the Belgian army, and assisting in its withdraal from Antwerp, consequently the battle line in Flanders was formed by the British forces from the Aiane advancing northward and General Rawlinson falling back to the lino of the Yser. It is noteworthy, the Field-Marshal says, that the position at La Bassee has throughout defied all at"!))s at capture, either by the French British, THE ADVANCE TO YPRES. General Jiawlinson's successful operations in the neighbourhood of Ghent and Antwerp had 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 19. The Belgians, after tlieir 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 Sir Douglas Haig to move the first army corps northward to Ypres so as to -avoid such disastrous consequences as being outflanked towards Calais. Sir Douglas Haig's object was to advance to Tliourout for. the eventual capture of Bruges, and subsequently', if possible, drive the enemy towards Ghent.

Sir Douglas Haig advanced, but owing to large and unexpected reinforcements of the enemy arriving and pressing both the British and French, he took up a position in the outskirts of Ypres.

Meanwhile the remainder of the British line was successfully resisting the enemy's desperate attacks, with marvellous fighting power and indomintable courage. No more arduous task had ever been assigned to Britisli soldiers. Never was a call answered more magnificently. Hi' desired a consultation with General .loll're whether to hold our lines against the enemy's attempts to outflank or break through. General Joffre promised reinforcements. The FieldMarshal was present with Sir Douglas Haig at the most critical moment of the whole great battle, when the first divisions were retiring at Hogue. The division, however, rallied, ami recaptured Ghcluvelt. This rally at such a time was fraught with momentous consequences. "If one unit can be singled out for especial praise, it is the Worcesters.'' -Meantime the enemy in the centre was heavily pressing the third and cavalry corps. lAs the position of the cavalry at Saint Ivese was endangered, a counter-attack was planned by Majors Hunter, Weston, and Anley, and successfully beat the Germans, with great loss, i The staunchness of the Royal Lancaster and Lancashire Fusiliers was comImendabie. They were well handled by Lieutenant-Colonel Butler.

Sir John French brings to special notice the excellent work of General Poultenev and his staff, and the divisional and regimental leaders, and men, for holding the front for a very undue length with invariable success, courage, tenacity, and cheerfulness.

Referring to the attack of the Prussian Guard, which came from Arras with great speed and secrecy, documents found proved that the Guards relieved the Emperor's special command to break through where their comrades had failed. They were repulsed with enormous loss. Sir Douglas TTaigh, assisted bv the divisional brigade commanders, held the line with marvellous courage. "Words fail me to express my admiration of the incalculable services thev rendered."

Tlie. first corps was brilliantly supported by General Bvng's cavalry. The names of General Tinlfin and BrigadierGeneral Kavanagh were particularly mentioned, also Brigadiers Fitz-Clarence and Cavan.

The despatch concluded: "Wo. are now possibly in the last stages of the battle of Ypres and Armentieres. I regret the heavy casualties, but at least thrice as many of the enemy are liors de combat."

A CRITICAL - PERIOD. BRITISH PUSHED BACK. POSITION SAVED BY MAGNIFICENT BAYONET RUSH. Received 30. 11.10 p.m. London, November 30. Field-Marshal French's despatch with reference to Gheluvolt states that on the 31st October Sir Douglas ITaig considered the position serious, the Germans having been suddenly reinforced by an army corps. Sir Douglas Haig's corps was facing three army corps, under General Von der Limling, whose army orders, found on a prisoner, declared that the Kaiser considered breaking through at Ypres was of v;tal importance for the success of the. war. All day the attack against Sir Douglas JTaig was of the most important and most decisive character of the war, except that of the Prussian Guards on loth November. The French supports failed to arrive. The heavy attack broke the line of General Haig's first division, and the -Scots' Fusiliers wore cut off and surrounded. The Germans shelled the headquarters of the first and second divisions, killing six staff officers, and wounding both commanders.

Sir Poiifflas Haig again ordered the army corps to resist, at all costs. The first division rallied, but other divisions and brigades were forced to yield time after time, until the first and second divisions, by flank and combined counterattacks, which were completely successful, retook Gheluvelt by a bayonet charge, wherein the 2nd Worcestevs shone out. Finally the Gtli Cavalry Brigade cleared the woods in a great dash, ( killing large numbers. The British line 'was restored at 10 at night.