THE ARMY IN FRANCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 239, 18 March 1915, Page 6

THE ARMY IN FRANCE.

A GENKHAL SUKVKY. ODXIMTIOX AXI) El-TIC! I'XOY. (By tin- Military Orres' «t of tin 1 London Tim '• ) Xow fhat two-third., of t. i' whiter are pes-ed and {!'.:• v.T»tb« r shows sign-. (.ft mending its n-r(lie fi( v i- favorable fur reviewing tin' general situation of tin' Army under Field-Mar-shal Sir .lohn French. Tli- <!>?•(rirl i» which our Army is op. orating is at )>n»wiit practically a sn'siiii" si•.■ <I more or U'-s unlit for the passage of troops. Large iJiwlj of waltr cover «omc areas. Water stand' ')ii tin* stiff, slippery countryside, I'iudcring tin- nioveineiils nifii of infantry across country next door to impracticable. For weeks on end if- lias rained, and when it lias not rail,oil thick misis torn* enveloped tin* country, which prevents ail aspect that can only lie described as forbidding. The deep trenches are in many places filled with water up to the men's waists. The cold water and deep mud in which some troops have to tight produce frosttics. It is only upon slightly rising bites -which have cost us many casualground, in some woods, am! In the villiagis and farms, that life is at all supportable. The roads have 011 t!i-> whole stood well, and the pave has proved a blessing. Were the pave six rect wider it would more easily permit the passage of two motor-lorries abreast, but as this is not the case there is a good deal of mud churned up at the sides. Frost, or a fortnight of line wi alhor, may alter the conditions rapidly at any time, but it is nccc-siiry to realise the difficulties under which operations, if they can be dignified by that name, have been conducted during the past few weeks.

THE RIVAL LIXKS. The fronts of the rival Annie, are evcrywh, re covered, by a labyrinth of tnnche. resembling the Hampton Court May.' in plan. On both side: 11;-■ reont liu f s are effen only po--i--' of reathei. 11l 1' str.lch many lim rmt eommiiincafi'-n trench s. \,lii!e aere- if barbed wire cover urns' of the po-ilion-;. lireasfwerl-'.s h:\ve been constrrcl eil hv both ariniei 0:1 the top of the ground to ineit tile pres.nt <li;ficuUie< of holding needed ircnche-. while stronu posts, d"fendeil villages and farmst >ai|s. and other arrang. inents complete the po itions. In rear ma-sos of guns <-f all calibres, -o Well concealed that, they are practically invulnerable, and joined up by telephones to all the advanced trenches, make a. strong framework for the defence. During all the months that we have occupied this district not mere three direct hits ha w hivn ?»y I fliTinan <]!:•]]< ir on our •» , uns. An attack lias Id deal witli an intact artillery u hu-Ii lias everv range to an inch, 1 so that assaults like ?i-o~e of Mondav la.sf by the derma lis along the ].e Bassee roa.d are very welcome. A forward trench may ctten be assaulted or mined by either side, or ",1 may lieiknoeked to bits by he;ivv shell or cleared by trench mortars and hand grenades, but a local success of this character has no consequcnce < and nothing serious can be effected until the ground dries. The battling in front is very largely liotween snipers and men in the sapheads. Our sniper organisation makes good progress. Expert marksinanshin, good eyesight, and pluck, combined wit-h : telescopic anil periscopie sight and match rifles, will eventually enable our snipers to beat the Germans at this game ns we have ben ten them at others. We are busier than we were with saps and mines, while our grenades and trench mortars are already doing good work. As for the Flying Corps, despite the weather mid masses of hostile anti-air-craft guns, it has maintained its supremacy in its own clement, and has only missed six days in the air since August. It has proved an invaluable aid to tile higher command, and both hv its organisation and its conduct has won golden opinions. Xot verv easily will any hostile strategical 'surprise escape the notice of our active airmen.

WINTER CAMPAIGNING. Our army is not accustomed to winter campaigning, and it ig not inured to it. Our campaigns usu*lly take place in warm climates. Many of our troops have come from such climates, and we have hail 110 experience since the Crimean days of trench fighting in the winter. \Ve had our lessons to learn afresh, and it cost us something to learn them. In spite of these circumstances the Army has stood the test upon its endurance remarkably well, and is probably in better health than any other, friendly or hostile, operating in the region. Manv . causes contribute to this favorable result. The admirable manner in which I the Army has been fed and clothed bv the Quartermaster-General's branch at the War Office and in the field is the first cause. X'o army was ever better fed, and the fresh supplies of clothing wlueh have always been at hand when needed have enabled the troops to be refitted constantly and well. The efficient control of the line of conimunications and the excellent work of the Army Service Corps, including the 111 - ' chamcal transport, have been highly and 011 all this side fh"re is not. a criticism to be made except with regard to some of the boots.

Not less good has been the work of the .-,l'my Medical Service and of 1h" numerous and distinguished civilians Who have j„i„„l if, .-., ; ,t w ,,rked for if, - o one v\ho traces the movements of a sick or wounded man from the moment wjoii he is lifted out of the trenches mill lie arrives at home, or is return ,1 to the Array from field cor,valesosfablishmenl, can fail to roe,ignis,, [bat in this campaign the Army M,-die,,l service has surpassed it-elf. | t . ■ : - l ' l ' :ll| y aided by Die energy and in--1,1 commanders end have locked after their men, in most ' as, s. with indefatigable devotion, an I ba.e spared no pnins .r.-oi 11 e 7 ' 1 "-C~ "lid difficulties attendant upon be pee,character which the y-;lr-,:,r" I*"" l-avl and not lea , w,. I nank the civil population of Nortn-Lastern France, who have cared '."V""' hlll, ' "'Vitli ipifaili.u' "Hidings, and have borne with chrerfid resignation the discomforts .ri-ing from the presence ol a grc-- enemy in ih-tr country.

I hanks fo thos,. united effort I de.-pilo conditions which in old day , Would have cause,! !in ;lnilv 1„ idly an ay, the sick rate of fhe lirifish troops IS only per o»:!, nnd of the fudmn troops "lightly h-s, j, ,;, ' r than in some of our horn,. "ana I,lls, and sneaks volume* for (he ebie'ency of (!,-. control and for the dicolire of fhe Army. "We not. howeve". boast, nor niind new troops mg out fo France imagine (hat iguoreii, ,• 01 : veill not e\-a,.t a ]n-a', \' 'oil. Ihe conditions ri 'iiein dangerou-. a'el r, ,|iiire constant watching. !n hi '.winfl, „r trenches along ll,e front, ol the Armies fhe sanitary conditio;,,, ei'nnof I-,. | ~i| if.,..,.- ~j-1' 1 ' bii'ii ha-fil,- T> 111 ■i, -! (I, , |'" nt ' U "' prvca„H„ns ,0 camps have occasionally been nci'loice igiiof.d; and the .-nring yir-i, y,; j | no a,i 0 ,atj, r at,,ml the s-riio of

*" IWmii; "in-! 1,.. rijfnri,ii..|y mcihf-iin.i!. 1nm >" "»i't <•» nw-rtniii limv ih, ' lit Hill.'-s. mill I).. nri-t-ii lo IT- S!-l-\ c -,| Hi- !»<•:.. A .iivi-i,,,, wl,;, 1"" f'-r .'nl, '■ ii l "■ tin-*, cr is til iliily in i! ~,,, ~r

~iiis to adopt the precautions for 00111fr<■ -.t!<"! <*. or is not well f.'i! b«iiml af.ic trench duty, or omits the ■;:>;r.vd t', : rg renewals which sonic .'i in'minder- rnw I,r.).i»iit to a pitch o scientiti" perfi clii-n- such a divisioi nir.v insily los ■ i'I'CO men in four days end mav llr.!-' : r as heavily as i battle. Sicken is more tlan-.w::t ill" (be 1 neiiiv. 11l lliis campaign we Jul', h'!it- fe'-ili"! lioth. Hut as I>*:w«> ".-•ais a nil <h riiinn». the forme*; ivniiii: the mere dangerous foe.

xr>n;Kv.s and ouGAxrsATioK. j The numbers of the Army have been we'l maintain 1 d by the Adjutant-Gcn-eral's branch so far as the British troop; are concerned. Despite a drain which is still very sensible daily, Ave are not far from war establishments, even in the infantry, while other anus and branches are practicallv complete. Some few battalions are still under strength, but, the officers now average about 2D per battalion. and 011 the whole we arc very well oil' in personnel. The Army has lately been through a process of reorganisation, and many changes have taken place in the higher commands and staffs and in the Genera! Stall' at (leneral Headquarters. Some of these changes arc to the gradual working out of the Army Order of December 30 last. - There will result from these changes a delegation of much administrative and other «work from General Headquarters to the wvcm! Armies, and the task of the Field-Mar slial Commanding-in-Chief will thereby be appreciably lightened. The stall's of our Annies will be strengthened, n« much fresh work will be thrown upon them, and into the Annies which now exist, as well ils into others which mav be created hereafter, the new troops will be pieced as they come out.

When we talk of Sir John French's work being lightened, this is only a relative term, ft is lightened because by the separation of the troops into -Armies lie will he relieved of much administrative detail, and beca use operation onh rs. other than his instructions for the general mow.vats of the Annies, will devolve upon Army and Corps commanders. But v. r have only to glance at Marlborough's or Wellington's corrosnondonoe to recall that <|lie.fions innumerable arise for the decision of a British commander < perating in a foreign country with Allies, and the |ve--ent ease | s n ( > e::,-rpt ion to the rule. More ivce. (!)■■ Field-Marshal • krejw a I'Vso wilti-': HIK.I. !ai.-:irs, sick rale;. supp]i:s. an,-, nnitmn, and so forth, and lie is occupied r, ilhrnit intcrmi-'sioii from morning to nigh; upon tin- affairs of his great ee-mmned, cnc, ruing which nothing e-e.ipcs his no!ice.

B KIX Ft" 11!(' i'. M K XTS. Broadly speaking, it. i- probably correct to say (bat the Field-Marshal, whil" not initiating reinfere: incuts, is ready to a: "opt all that can be sent U him. v.. n down to a siir.de battalion, r.r a. single regiment of dismounted Ve-i----inaiiry. The •••. lie merrier in tbi» war. am! iia ' organisation can as--imitate any numbers (hat we 1 wi find. The ta-k ef Lord Kitchener in apportioning troops to our armies abroad and to defence at home is a difficult, one, but as he ha.< hitherto held the balance fairlv. has not under-estimated the claims of home defence, ami has not sent units abroad until they have been fit to go, soldiers trust him with confidence to act as the living Providence of all our Armies and to be fair to all. X'o one is doing more than the Secretary for War to win success for our arms. Under very grave difficulties, which will be better understood later, he has raised, armed, and equipped great bodies of nnn, and it is to his tireless energy that we mainly owe the rapidity with which war is supplied with the tilings which war needs. He is as indispensable in his present position as is Sir j John French at the head of our armies in the field.

Plenty of good infantry, plenty of heavy guns, and plenty of high explosives are the main needs of the Army for success in the fighting. Shrapnel is rarely effective in the trench fighting, and the French now supply their field guns with To pel* cent, of high explosive shell. Some of our conservative gunners still hold to only 2.") per cent., but our infantry think different Iv. and if we adopt, a 5D per cent, standard we shall not be far out. No matter how great fhe difficulty of attacking these modern trenches, the thing can be done, given masses of guns, masses of men, and thorough preparation. But. to attack without heavy guns and ample high explosive is to ask for trouble, and 110 commander is justified in doing it unless the object is fo celebrate nil I'mpcrov's birthday by useless sacrifice of life. As for our cavalry, we have already

enough and more than enough, until the character of the fighting changes. We have a magnificent force of British and Indian cavalry, and though the horses have' coats like bears they are wonderfully well and are all under cover of one sort or another. Our cavalry soldiers take their share in the trench fighting, and do it well. They form, at, other times, a mobile reserve oi grin?, power, but unless our Yeomanry come out on foot and fight as riflemen they will be difficult to place. The essential matter for the Government to bear in mind is that we cannot have too many troops in France, and that, 110 detachments upon secondary objectives however, promising and 'even captivating, can be made' without, risk to the success of 11 perations in tile mam theatre. Now that the Allied line IS hehl throughout, every additional aimy corps sent out means one corns the more -British. French, or Belgian--m ro.-crvo for ilrMwe rr jittack, so tlial whether We as-UMe that we shall attack the Germans, er that they will attack «"<""ot be too Strong at the decisne point. Alternative operations in oilier liiraliv* must he hv tho !«>-! \vl;r<!i<T liiry will 1k» the tii'.t pie,,., and secondly whether they will disirnrt ipmiv fnnvs of "lain tin ;if.re than tl'wy instruct irom ours. If this is not I!,c ciim' (tic. inn it bo rifn-.-m-dy banmd. TIM: IXI)!AN TIIOoi'S. I

'I he Indian Army Corp,-: has had one or two hard knocks Isvly. criticism has naturally been it, !„t, [ t U siry to he fair to (his portion of the Army, which out of comparatively small e'l'eeiivcs has had. 10.000 casualties, ineluding' £>S while officers. All armies encage,! have Inst trenelex i r; ' h;s .fames \\ illcock's commai.d o! ~,\\ hundi';:! yards 01 ground is not an exceptional ra-c at all. Before the affair of December '-'0 In-t the I Corns had two months an] half ill the f rein-he-,, and was worn out. The Indian-, have been given tliiir return in reserve. ; in,l are'now om-e n:oiv taking their share in (1.,, fighting line. When the spring comes

('ifUMXIC IMIKrMATISjr KKD-C----ti'.mj.y crni:n. Xo j'ciltcr how 10n.!,' you have - (•<] from : i-v - m,, ; ~•• • otli.-i- ivindie-: have failed. INJEUMO if given a fair (rial, will ell'eet a euro, i housands of other -iifli-i'i'i's have been peranmontlv cured by RlffX-MO, when nil else has been tried in vain. .Many had spent large sums of money at Rpiorua and other thermal srimjs, but it a ; 1,111'.! MO that eventually effected a fine. If .you are suH'cring 'from Klieumati-™. or from flout. Lumbago Sciatica or kindred complaints give RHEEtfO a fair trial. Tt has (Mired others and will euro you—nml at liltle All cfcerowts and .-tore--, 2s Cd and l-i fid. !)!

on, and especially if offensive tactic are open to us, (he Indian Army Corpsshould do well. 'T owe them," tele graphed Kir .lolm l'"rench to S'r Jame .-, Vv'illcocks 011 December S, "a deep debt if gratitude for the splendid services hey ha\ e read mil. which have prove:! f great value in th,. conduct of the •impaign"; and this is only one anion;.; ■ianv complimentary rues-nigi s which ' i"'ii-1i I - Mil ys)ui 1 has sent to them. The I i-oi.-ps from iiiilia now look very happy and trim after a much-needed rest.

Tin: SIM KIT of'' TIIE ARMY. The. whole Army is physically in good cnnditioii.'nnd its spirU is also excellent, fn no previous war has the standard of bravery been higher, and in none have more gallant, deeds c arms been performed. Tile Territorials have done remarkably well, and ?•;< ir services are verv highly esteemed by Jill their commanders under whom they have been placed. A very line spirit of good comradeship pervades ail ranks, and though the fatigues and dan-si's of the campaign bine been grrL'it,, and there is much disappointment that the actions of the campaign arc so little known to the public at Home, there is indestructible confidence in the ultimate issue and a firm belief in cur superiority to the enemy. We have good and tried com - lnanders as well 11s admirable troops, while fewer rivalries or intrigues than we have ever known in any previous war mar ihe happiness and good fellowship of the Great .Army under Sir John French. Hay hv day this Army increases in numbers and covers more ground. It is on cord (a: terms with our French allies, who have doubled th"ir (editing efficiency since the opening of fhe war, and it c::lv needs sound public spirit at home and energy in the Goveminent to enable the Army to succeed.