"WIPED OUT."

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 26 May 1915, Page 6

"WIPED OUT."

BRITISH DEEDS HT FLANDERS

Le.cturing" at the Queen's Hall, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle dealt with the three main phases of the war in which the British forces were engaged down to October—the retreat from Mons, the battles of Marne and the Aisne,- and the repulse of the German efforts to break through to Calais. Listening to his graphic description of splendid fights against fferful odds, of which hitherto the British public have been permitted to catch only a glimpse in the official despatches, one was able to realise what a tremendous task was that of "French's contemptible little army," and how gallantly they discharged it. Whole regiments —the Ist Cheshire, the 2nd Suffolks, and the Manchesters—were wiped out in fighting desperate rearguard actions. The 14th Brigade practically ceased to exist. The Gordon Highlanders— hot getting an order to retire which was sent them—fought until their ammunition was exhausted, and the small remnant, retiring, fell into the hands of the enemy.

There was also the epic of the famous 7th Division—all seasoned troops, fresh from foreign service, who for tv. elve days fought four German army corps. and emerged with 2000 effectives out of 23,000. "I don't think anything can be told in the history of the British Army much more moving or • more heroic th-in that," said Sir Arthur.

As to Ypres, Sir Arthur described it } as the greatest victory, as well as the most decKve one, in our annals, for it turned the whole tide of the German advance. In this case 600,000 Germans ■—putting their numbers at a low estimate—determined to get to the coast, and 150,000 British troops determined that they should not do so. The Germans lost anything from 150,000 to 200,000 of their number, absolutely ■without anything to show for it. If that was not a great victory for British arms I do not know by' what other name you can call it."