SIR JOHN FRENCH’S DESPATCH

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9093, 12 July 1915, Page 8

SIR JOHN FRENCH’S DESPATCH

INTERESTING NARRATIVE By Telegraph—Frees Association —Copyright (Received July 12, 1-30 a.m-) LONDON, July 11. Sir John Frenoli’s dispatch, dated Juno 15th, states: —“Since April oth the array has been heavily engaged, and both flanks at Ypres have again been successfully deiended against vigorous and sustained attacks by largo forces, supported by masses of heavy field artillery, which, in number, weight, and calibre, are superior to any concentration which previously assailed that part of tho line. “ lu tho south the Eirst Army had taken a vigorous offensive, during which a largo area of entrenched and fortified ground was captured, whilst valuable support was afforded by the French.

“In the attack on Arras and Lens, I much regret that tho fighting on the enemy’s side was characterised by a cynical and barbarous disregard of the well-known usages of civilised war, and the flagrant defiance of The Hague Convention. All the scientific resources of Germany were apparently brought into play to produce a gas so virulent and poisonous that any human being brought into contact was at first paralysed, and then mot a lingering and agonising death. “The enemy invariably preceded, prepared, and supported his attacks by the discharge of a stupendous volume of these gas fumes whenever the wind was favourable. Such weathei conditions only prevailed to any extent in the neighbourhood of Y pros. The fumes materially influenced the operations at Ypres until experience suggested effective counter-measUres, which have been since perfected, rendering the fumes innocuous. “Efficiency in practice shows that the Germans must have harboured their designs for a long time. As a soldier, I cannot help expressing tho deepest regret and some surprise that an army which hitherto claimed to he the chief exponent of chivalry in war, should stoop to employ such devices against gallant foes. ’ Describing the capture of Hill 60, Sir John French states that it afforded tho enemy excellent artillery observation. Brigadier-General Bulfin planned the preliminary operation and mining, and then Sir Charles Fergusson carried out the attack on April 17th, wherein French and Belgian batteries assisted.

"The attempt to recapture Hill 60 on May Ist was supported by asphyxiating gases which caused nearly all the men on a front of four hundred yards to be immediately struck down by fumes.”

‘‘Tho splendid courage by which the leaders rallied their men and subdued the natural tendency to panic, combined with the prompt intervention of the supports, drove back the enemy.

“A severer gas attack was made on the fifth of Hay under much more favourable conditions, and enabled the enemy to recapture HUI 60. A few days later the means of counteracting the gas, which have since proved so effective, were introduced. Otherwise, the attack on the fifth of May would have been resultless.”

Sir John French goes on to describe tho first use of gas on the twentysecond of April. Ho says that aircraft at 5 o’clock re ported that thick yellow smoke was issuing from the German trenches between . Lr.ngomarck and Bixschootc. “What followed almost defies ‘ description. The effect of the gases was so virulent that it rendered the whole line held by the French division between Stcenstraate and the Poelcapollo road practically incapable of action.

At first it was impossible for anyone to realise what had actually happened. Smoke, fumes hid everything. Hundreds of men were thrown into a comatose and dying condition. The whole position within an hour was abandoned with fifty guns. “I wish particularly to repudiate the idea that the least blame was attached to the French division. After all the examples our gallant Allies have shown of dogged tenacity and courage, it is superfluous to insist on this point. If any troops in the world could have held the trenches, the French division would have held firm. The retreat made, the left flank of the Canadians was dangerously exposed.

“There was a prospect of the Canadians being overwhelmed, enabling the Germans to cut off the British occupying a salient to the east. The Canadians, however, held their ground with a magnificent display of tenacity and courage. The conduct of these splendid troops avoided a disaster. “In the confusion of the gas smoke, the Germans captured the bridge at Steenstraate and the works south of Lizerne. I sent some reinforcements to support and assist General Pulz, and ordered reinforcements from the Second Army Corps. “I held a conference with Genera). Foch on the morning of .the 23rd, who asked me to maintain the British line while he endeavoured to regain the trenches belonging to tho French division.

“I concurred, but stipulated that d the position was not re-established within a limited time the British troops could not bo allowed, to remain in their existing exposed situation. "Many circumstances comfbincd to render the situation east of Ypres very critical. For two or three days, fresl) units had been pushed into the firing line in an area swept by artillery fire, which, owing to the capture ef French guns, we were unable to keep down. “ This led to very neavy casualties. I wish to record my deep admiration of the resource and presence of mind of the commanders on the spot, particularly Major-General Snow and Briga-dier-General Hull, of the Lahore Division, who made gallant attempts to push the enemy north, hut were partially frustrated by gas. "The French, meanwhile, had retaken Lizorne, hut as there was no further progress on the 28th towards the recapture of the original line, I ordered General Plumer, who was now in charge of the operations, to prepare for a retirement. These orders were postponed until May Ist at General Foch’s request, and were then carried out with scarcely any Toss, reflecting the greatest possible credit on General Plumer.

“Our artillery, assisted by aeroplanes, caused Hie Germans considerable loss when entrenching opposite our new line, and advancing guns to new positions- “ During the" whole of the 4th the enemy heavily shelled our evacuated trenches, quite unaware that they were unoccupied.