WHOLE BATTALION DIES

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 27, 31 January 1919, Page 2

WHOLE BATTALION DIES

IpRENCH TRIBUTE TO THE 2nd DEVONS.

. A thrilling story of a British battalion— the 2nd Devons—-that fought to the death is briefly told in. a. special order which Field-Marshal Sir Douglas Haig'has issued to the troops in France., '..".

The order embodies a translation of an. order of the. sth French Army, which was issued by General' Borithelot on 20th August. The translation is as follows: —

"Chi 27th May, 1918, at a time when the British trenches were being subjected to fierce attacks, the 2nd Battalion the Devonshire Regiment Topelled successive enemy assaults with gallantry and determination, and maintained an unbroken front till a late hour. The staunchness of this battalion permitted defences south of to be organised and their occupation by reinforcements to be completed. "Inspired by the sangfroid of their gallant commander in the face of an intense bombardment, the fan* survivors of tho battalion, though isolated and without hope of assistance, held on to their trenchee north of the river, and fought to the last with an unhesitating obedience toorders.

"Thus the whole battalion—colonel, 28 officers, tuid 552 non-commissioned officers and men—responded with one accord, and offered their lives in ungrudging sacrifice to the sacred cause of the Allies."