DRAMATIC MOMENTS IN WAR TIME

Evening Star, Issue 19778, 31 January 1928, Page 5

DRAMATIC MOMENTS IN WAR TIME

“ BACKS-TO-THE-WALL " MESSAGE RECALLED

(British Official News.) Press Association—By Wireless—Copyright.

RUGBY, January 30. (Received January 31, at 1 p.m.) Tho newspapers devote columns to-day to tho man who led the British army to victory in tho greatest war of all time. The famous “ Backs to the wall ” message which he issued to the British troops in 1918, when the Germans launched a heavy offensive in the direction of Calais, is reproduced. This message startled his army as ranch as it heartened them, if only because it was the first time that the rather aloof commander-in-chief betrayed a touch of emotionalism. Ho wrote:—

Many amongst us now are tired. To those I would say that victory will belong to the side which holds out the longer. There is no other course open to us but to fight it out. Every position must be held to the last man. There must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall, and believing in the Justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end. The safety of our homes, of our friends, and of mankind alike depends upon the conduct of each one of us at this critical moment.”

Tribute is paid to Lord Haig's selfabnegation when ho consented to the allied armies being placed under tho united command of Marshal Foch.