"MORE.THAN EVER PROUD OF YOU"

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 7

"MORE.THAN EVER PROUD OF YOU"

THE KING'S ORDER TO THE ARMY

■ LONDON, 15th 'August. The King's General Order to the Army in France, .which has been sent to Sir" Douglas Haig, says : —

"It has been a great pleasure and satisfaction to be with my armies during the past week, and to be able to judge of their splendid condition for war, the spirit and cheerful confidence which is animating all ranks, the united and loyal co-operation of the chiefs to one another. Since my last visit to the front you have had almost interrupted fighting on parts of our line. The offensive which v/as recently begun has been resolutely maintained day and night. I have had opportunities of visiting some scenes of your late desperate struggles, and, appreciating the demands which have been made upon your courage and physical endurance in order to assail and capture positions which had been prepared for two years, and stoutly defended to the last, I have realised not only the splendid work you have done immediately in touch with the enemy, but also the vast organisations behind the fighting line. Honourable alike is the genius of the initiators, and the heart and the hand of the worker. Everywhere there is .proof that all men and women are playing their part. I rejoice to think that your noble efforts have been heartily seconded by all classes at home. The happy relations between my armies and those of our French Allies have been equally noticeable between my troops and, the inhabitants of the districts where they have been • quartered, and from whom they have received a'cordial welcome ever since their first arrival in France. I do not think I and your ■ fellow-countrymen will ever forget the heavy sacrifices the armies have made or the bravery and endurance displayed during the past two years of this bitter conflict. These sacrifices haVe not been in' vain. The arms of the Allies will never be laid down until our cause has triumphed. I return home more than ever proud of you. May God guide you to victory." (Renter's Telegram.) "■'"^ LONDON, 16th August. The King returned to London yesterday in excellent health.