AT THE FRONT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume L, Issue 175, 2 November 1917, Page 5

AT THE FRONT.

THE FOURTH BRIGADE.

GENERAL GODLEY HAVING A •REST. s In- the House of Representatives yesterday morning the Minister of Defence (■Sir"'James Allen) read the following extracts from a letter from Gen. Sir A. J. Codley - to Brig.-Gen. Robin, dated 26th August, 1917 : . "You need not" be in the least anxious about the 4th..Brigade* We all thoroughly realise that if there is- the slightest shortage of reinforcements that if will be at once broken up and utilised to up the division proper. But I hope it may be posible to keep all four going, and as long as we can we shall do so, as it is a great convenience to have an extra brigade, which can be out of the line resting, and acting as a relief brigade for the other three. And it is so much better for the officers and m'eri to be in- a proper organisation,too instead of simply at the Reserve Croup at Sling or the depot at Etaples. At the present time the division is just going out of the line for a bit of a rest and training, and I am glad to say I am going out also, and it will be for the first time since the beginnig of the war that I will be able to get a little rest out of the front line, for which I shall hot be sorry. I propose to let -Russell have, the 4th BrigtWe temporarily as one of the three of the Divisions, and keep the 'Rifle Brigade in rest, and ready to relieve one of the others if required. The strain on a Brigadier is very great at the front, as you will be able to realise from your experience. He has all the responsibilities of higher' command, and at the same time, the physical work and fatigue of having • to be continually in the trenches, and between the two I think that a Brigadier has the hardest time of anybody, and is more likely £o break down than anybody else. The Division took La Basseville in . great style, and in a smaller way it was just as good aa the taking of Messines. ,

•: "You are" indeed having difficulties about the transports and reinforcements but -I think are doing us splendidly, and I have nothing but admiration, and appreciation for the way in which you hav© helped us."