HIGH COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue LXVIII, 21 October 1914, Page 5

HIGH COMMISSIONER'S MESSAGES.

GENERAL FRENCH'S REPORT

The High Commissioner lias forwarded the following additional points taken from Sir John French's despatches to the British Government: j "On"the afternoon of October 12, I from opposition encountered by the i French to the west of Soissons, and certain indications all along the lines, I formed the opinion that the enemy had arrested his retreat, and was preparing to dispute the passage cf the Aisne with vigor. The tract of country north of .the Aisne was well adapted to concealment, and ib was impossible to gauge the real nature of his opposition to our passage of the river or to accurately gauge his strength. I have reason, to conclude that he had strong rearguard. Our three army corps were holding the passages. On the morning of the 13th, I ordered the British to advance and make good at the Aisne. The 66th Infantry Brigade was able to cross in single file under considerable shell fire by means of the broken girder of a bridge. The construction of a pontoon bridge was completed in the afternoon. On the extreme left the 4th Guards Brigade wot severe opposition at Chavonne, an 1 on.jr in the afternoon were they able to establish a foothold on the northern bar> of the river by ferrying oho Latalion across in boats at Vendresse. The 2nd Division bivouacked on the so>iihern bank of the river. The 1 corps found all the bridges in front of them destroyed except at Conde, which was in possession of the enemy, and remained so until the end of the battle. "During the nights of the 13th, 14th | and following days the field companies | were incessantly at work, night and day. Eight pontoon bridges and one' foot bridge were thrown across the river under very heavy artillery fire, which was incessantly kept up during most of the crossing and after its completion. The operations of the field companies during this most trying time were worthy of the best traditions of the Royal Engineers. "Wth, evening.—lt was impossible to decide whether the enemy was only making a temporary halt, covered by his rearguard, or whether he intended to stand and defend his position. With a view of clearing up the situation, I ordered a central advance. The action of the First Corps on this day, under command of Sir Douglas Haig, was so skilful, bold, and decisive, that he gained the position which alone has enabled me to maintain my position for more than three weeks. Severe fighting on the north bank of the river at about 4 o'clock, the weakening of the counter attacks by the enemy, and other indications showed that his resistance was decreasing. "A general advance was ordered by the Army Corps commander. Although meeting with considerable opposition, and coming under very heavy artillery and rifle fire, we at the end of the day's operations extended from Chemin dcs Dames on the right,' through Chivy, to Le Cover and Desouiner, with the First Cavalry Brigade extending to the Chavonne-Soissons road.

. "Throughout the battle of the Aisne I cannot speak too highly of the valuable services rendered by Sir Douglas Haigh and the army corps under his command. Day after day, and night after night, the enemy's infantry has been hurled against his, in a violent counter-attack which never.on any one occasion succeeded, whilst the trenches all over his position were under continuous and heavy artillery fire. The casualties were very severe, one brigade alone losing three of its fouj colonels.

"The Third Division commenced a further advance, and had nearly reached the plateau of Aigz, when they were driven back by a powerful coun-ter-attack, supported by heavy artillery. The division fell back in the best of order, and finally entrenched. The Fourth and Fifth Divisions were unable to do more than maintain their ground. "On the morning of the 15th, after a close examination of the position, it became clear that the enemy was making a determined stand in a strongly i> :itrenched line of defence up from the north of Compiegne, eastward and south-eastwards along the whole valley ■n ilia Aisne beyond Rheims. A few days previously, the fortress of Maubeuge fell, and a considerable quantity of siege artillery was- brought down from that place to strengthen the enemy's position in front of us. "On the 17th, 18th, and 19th, the whole of our line was heavily bombarded. The First Corps was constantly and heavily endangered. On the afternoon of the 17th, on the right flank, the First Division was seriously threatened. A counter-attack was made by the Northamptonshire Regiment, in combination with the Queen's Northamptonshire Regiment. Under cover of a mist they crept up within a hundred yards of the enemy's trenches, and charged with the bayonet, driving them out of the trenches and up the hill. A very strong force of hostile infantry was then disclosed on the crest of the line. This new line was enfiladed by oart of the Queen's and King's Royal Rifles, which wheeled to their left on the extreme right of our infantry line. The enemy's attack was ultimately driven back with heavy losses. "18th— During the night the Gloucestershire Regiment advanced from their positions near Chivy, filled in the enemy's trenches, and captured two Maxim guns. On the extreme right the Queen's were heavily attacked, but the enemy *vas repulsed with great loss. Shortly after midnight, an attack was made on the left of the Second Division with considerable force, which was also thrown back. "On this day. information reached me from General Joffre that he found it necessary to make a new plan, and to attack and envelope the German right flank. The cavalry had rendered most efficient and ready help. In the trenches we had done all we possibly could to lighten the arduous task, which had of necessity fallen to the infantry. "On the evening of the 19th, and throughout the 20th, the enemy commenced to show considerable activity. On the former night a severe counterattack on the Third Division was repulsed with considerable less. The I enemy suffered another severe repulse in front of the Second Division, losing heavily in the attempt. - In the course of the afternoon the enemy made desperate attempts against the trenches all along the front of the I First Corps, but with similar results. After dark the enemy again attacked the Second Division, and were again driven back. Our losses on these two days were considerable, but the number as obtained of the enemy's killed and wov tided vastly exe'eeded them. "On the night of the 21st another violent counter-attack was repulsed by the Third Division, the enemy losing heavily. During the night of the 27th and 28th. the enemy again made most determined attempts to capture the trenches of the First Division, but without the slightest success. Similar attacks were made during these three days- all along the line of the Allied front. "It is certain that the enemy then made one last great effort to* establish ascendancy. He was unsuccessful everywhere, and is reported to have suffered heavy losses. The same futile attempts were made all along our front up to the evening of the 28th, when they died away and have not since been renewed. "Attack and counter-attack occurred at all hours, of the night and day throughout the whole position, permitting only a minimum of rest from the 12th September to Bth October.